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Hi Chris,

I have been taking Tarceva since April of this year with great success. I have had a severe rash through most of that time, only now is it subsiding. I have had the rash all over my body.

The worst of it now is on my scalp and I am having trouble with wearing shoes because of a very sore toe. All related to Tarceva so my onc tells me. My skin is dry and my hair, well that's just something else!!! LOL!! I also have the rash on my tongue, it just means I stay away from vinegar and salad dressings etc.

Hope this helps and all the best to you,

Sharon

Sharon,

Thanks for the note. The rash you have sounds a bit worse than what I am experiencing. The rash has subsided for the most part on everything except my face. I have this windburn/ acne looking thing going on. And my hair looks like a cross between Albert Einstein and Buckwheat ( the last person that cut my hair said it felt like somebody had taken a match to it) . Nothing on the tongue, however inside the nose it is a bit bothersome. If you run across any magic lotions that help let me know, and I will do the same. Glad you are doing so well, This stuff seems to be doing the same for me, so I guess we just grin and bear it.

Chris

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hello Chris

Pluerodesis is done when there is fluid between the pluera and lung. (This is not very technical). Luckily they found there was no cancer cells in the fluid. I believe they seal the cavity so no more fluid can accumulate. (They sometimes call this talc procedure). The only problem is that this area area always lights up on a pet scan due to this procedure so one never knows whether this is tumor or aftermath of procedure. [Hope this is understandable]. The rash was at first unsightly. Now it has cycles of severity although it is manageable. Barry does not like using creams etc.

We do ask if tarceva is a option but our oncologist feels that if things

are ok they should be left. We have been told by a senior oncologist at a lung cancer centre in London that they have had modest success on switching patients from iressa to tarceva on progression.

The main barrier to leading a normal life quite frankly is the worry.

Best wishes

Jennie

It sounds similar to my circumstances. I went through a year of back pAin, and finally fluid filled my right lung , they then drained fluid( no cancer cells) and performed a VAT to see what was going on. My doctor also feels like what we are seeing on the lower lobe of my lung may be due to the surgery. Regardless, all has been good for a while, no scans for the last year just chest x rays.

Doctor likes what he sees, he tells me he is not changing a winning horse and to carry on. So thats the plan.

Chris

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hello Chris

My husband is on iressa which is similar to tarceva.

He has been on this drug for one year now and is stable (or ned they are no sure which). Side effects have been manageable diarrhea and skin rashes acne. Long may this last

Best wishes

Jennie

Jennie,

I was on Irressa for 4 months prior to switching to Tarceva. Like your husband my tumors were on the pluera as well. What is a pluerodesis? What if anything has he found to make the rash manageable?

My Rash has not let up and appears to be getting worse. I guess I shouldnt complain, all things consisdered. Besides rash, I lead a normal life as you can get after being dx.

Thanks,

Chris

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Interested in talking with people who are taking Tarceva or Zometa. I have been on these drugs for a while now, curious as to side effects people are experiencing, and just how long people have been able to continue to take these drugs.

Chris