Melinda -
I'm here because a good friend has recently been diagnosed Stage IIIB NSCLC. However I have been on a Avastin/Tarceva trial for Stage IV Clear Cell Kidney Cancer since November 2004 and have been disease stable since starting it.
If it wasn't made clear to you, Avastin/Tarceva are genetic drugs as opposed to traditional chemotherapy. They have side effects, but in many ways are supposed to be much milder than chemo.
My experience is similar to your mother's - diarrhea that comes and goes. My diarrhea was constant, but mild - just having to go two, maybe three times a day. Because of that dehydration wasn't really an issue. However I know of others who had much more severe diarrhea that required IV fluids. I still have it off and on. Immodium helped a little, but not a lot. I guess where I'm netting out diarrhea wise is that if it's just a few times a day, hang in there - if its all day, you need to check with your doc.
Also was feeling very tired. I'd get home from work at one or two PM and just collapse in an easy chair for the rest of the day - all day on weekends - some napping, some computer and PC watching. Seemed worse a few days after my infusion (I get one every two weeks) but I was pretty much worn out most of the time. I think that is one of the side effects of the drug combo.
I talked over my fatigue with my internist. He thought I might have clinical depression. He prescribed Zoloft for that. At the same time I started taking Ambien because I was waking up a number of times during the night. Not sure if it was the Ambien, the Zoloft, or the combo - but since starting I've been much more active - rarely napping in the afternoon. Just anecdotal, with me. My oncologist did not think I was depressed. But for me, at least, it's working.
Also had a lack of appetite which influenced my internist's diagnosis of mild clinical depression. My appetite is back now, too.
There's also a possibility of an acne like rash from the Tarceva. They'll prescribe steroid creams for that.
Give you mom my best. Avastin and Tarceva are cutting edge medicines.
Holly Moore
Philadelphia PA