Justakid Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Day 12 on Tarceva, I'm in alot of pain. Don't handle pain like I use to, had so much since April guess I'm getting weak. Rash on face is bad, it's bleeding now.....all over my scalp, feeling like needles are stabbing me in raw skin. Throat and mouth are raw, hard to swallow. Palms covered in rash (which hurts and shocked me that it does). Having problems with my legs hurting, there is no rash but there is a dull ache in them. Nose and lips are swollen. Can't eat or sleep much. Wish I could get a picture on here so ya'll could see how bad this is. See the doctor at 9:45, hope there is something he can do to give me releif now. Been taking the antibiotics and diflucan for 5 days but it's not helping. Lonely at night when you feel bad Wish I had some pain meds so I could get some rest and eat. Popsicles just aren't cutting it! Guess there is something to be said for quality of life! I'll let ya'll know what the doc says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Beth, Your reactions to drugs just stinks. Hope the doctor has something (anything) to alleviate these side effects. Let us know what he says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Beth, This sounds so much like John's Iressa rash. He also complains about the sores in his hair. The red dry skin hurts in the cold...He uses a ski mask outside to protect his face. Keep it moisturizerd with a good lotion and it will help. If it is any help it does come and go, it isn't always bad. Our doctor suggested a B complex vitamin and that has helped the dry skin, but will take a little while. Good luck at your appointment today. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted December 17, 2004 Author Share Posted December 17, 2004 Saw the doctor, he walked in and said "oh my God, you look ugly". He has prescribed this for a couple other patients but they have not reacted the way I have. I explained to him that I was an over acheiver. I stop taking Tarceva until the rash goes away then I'll start back up at 100mg instead of 150mg. That's all, now it's in my mouth on the bottom of my feet and hands, in my ears. It's just down right nasty. I asked the doctor how long he thought it would take to clear up, he said he wasn't sure cause no one has reacted this way....go figure. Of course my mother yells, "oh great, she's going to look like this for x-mas". Almost had to kick her, leave it your mother to be concerned how you look at all times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Beth, My reaction to Iressa was similiar with the severe rash. I looked like a freak from hell. I was initially advised to try and wait it out and see if the rash would go away on its own - 3weeks into it I was about crazy from the itching, sores, wheeping, ugly, red, scary, massive, itchy itchy itchy, Sorry I started getting carried away there - I was able to get a prescription for an acne medication that helped tons. It unfortunately didn't go away over night though. It has taken about a month to really clear up well. I still have to use the medication every other day and have the rash down my chest but now it seems to be going away a little on its own. I also had some problems with the changes in my mouth. It went away after 3-4 weeks. In the meantime I used the magic mouthwash that people talk about here that has laticane in it. It seemed to eliminate the icky coating in my mouth for a while. Hopefully all of this is temporary and gets better for you. I know from my experiences it is almost maddening at times and I didn't have as bad of a reaction as you seem to be. Good luck and keep us posted, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Beth, You poor thing! My goodness, that just sounds horrible. Have you ever been given any explanation as to why your body responds so negatively to so many drugs? Do you have a lot of other allergies? You don't really have to answer those questions, but I'm just overwhelmed at the horrible responses you keep having and my heart is breaking for you. I'm glad you get to stop it for a while and am hopeful that you will get some relief QUICKLY!!!! I'm sorry your mom was worried about how you would look for Christmas. I know you made a joke about it, but I expect that was an owie! All my love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Beth, Beth, Beth, What are we going to do with you? It must be so discouraging at times , when you keep having allergic reactions. My mom is like you (allergic to everything)... so I understand, but .... Sure hope your reactions will improve and that the lowered dose will work out for you... Take care.... sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Bless your heart. I hope things start improving quickly. I know I would not be able to stick it out for long with all of that going on. I admire your "sticktoitiveness". (is that a word?) Have a happy holiday and get better fast. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 {{{{{ Beth}}}}} Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Hope you get some relief now that you have stop the drug for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted December 18, 2004 Author Share Posted December 18, 2004 I've said it before and I'll say it again. I knew that treatment would be hard BUT not this hard! If it's gonna happen it's gonna happen to me. Found some Neurontin pain killers in the bathroom from a little while ago. It's for pain from shingles, I figure this rash is close enough to shingles to I'm gonna try one and see if it works. I hate taking all these pills BUT something has to give. I still look like an alien or even that guy in the UK who is running from President and someone poisoned him with the agent orange stuff. He's all puffed up and crinkly and tumored, that's me only it's red. I can honestly say that I have not experienced a rash on my palms and heels that wasn't from an allergic reaction that went away with benadryl. It hurts when it's on the feet and hands! WOW Very hard to sleep, feels like needles are being pushed into your scalp at every hair folical. And now that I finally have my beautiful 1/2 in hair, my head is glowing red and puffy from a rash. Now that I have some hair to wash with shampoo instead of a bar of soap, it hurts to wash it! To answer a couple questions, I am allergic to most antibiotics and have found through cancer treatment that I am super sensitive to steriods and benadryl....well for that fact I'm allergic to carboplatin too. Hell I guess I am allergic to everything! Stupid weak body! Thanks for everyone's thoughts and comments. It helps when your feeling like garbage to have people who understand and care. I feel like I'm living in a movie and each week is a new drama! The saga will continue, although maybe we can go from a soap opera to a comedy (a real comedy, not one that you have to laugh at instead of crying) My grandmother would say "this two shall pass", gotta keep telling myself that. Just think of the X-mas pictures we will have this year! Years from now we'll look back on this X-mas and laugh and say I remember 2004, what a year! Gotta keep your sense of humor! The doctor saw my face and told me to strip so he could see the rest of me. It's official.....1/2 the people in the medical field in the state of VA have seen me naked! When all this is done maybe I sould call one of the magazines and pose! lol "Mrs. January, lung cancer survivor...note the lobectomby scar on her left side!" lol. Now I'm getting punchy! Thanks guys and have a great holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 It's official.....1/2 the people in the medical field in the state of VA have seen me naked! I had dental work on Monday. Our dentist retired and I already told him this, so I told the new dentist: "The ONLY good thing about coming here is that I don't have to take off my clothes." Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Daughter of Bill Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Beth My goodness! You are having a terrible time! I have been praying that Tarceva would work for you with little to no side effects. Maybe after your body gets used to it, you won't be so sensitive to it. Thinking of you~~~ Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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