grossiking Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Hi Everybody: I am new to this forum. I was just lucky enough to find it. I am looking for anyone who has taken Tarceva for a while and wondering how they are doing on it. I recently started taking it but I have heard stories about it that do cause me concern. I have nsclc Stage IV....I had my upper right lobe removed back in June of 2004 followed by chemotherapy. The cancer has now come back (December 2005)to my middle lobe, lower spine and pelvic area. My onc recommended radiation for my lower spine to shrink the tumor(pain level was very high). I am two-tirds through with that and the results have been great. The tumor has been reduced and pain is almost gone. My concern is Tarceva......any opinions. Thank you. Janet[/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Good Morning Janet~ As you can see from my profile, my husband has been on Tarceva for quite awhile now. Prior to that he was on Iressa. The tarceva has kept him stable and he has very little side effects--just the rash and occasional diarrhea. Now when he first started he had some bleeding problems because he was on a blood thinner. Once the blood thinner was discontinued he was ok. There are many members here using Tarceva--we can't say enough good things about it. Good luck and welcome to the family here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Hey Janet, I have been on Tarceva since April of last year and have had stable scans ever since. The only side effects I have had are very dry skin, a little acne, and occasion diarrhea. I feel so fortunate to have this drug as an option. Much easier than chemo. I actually feel normal. GOD BLESS!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grossiking Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 Thank you both for replying so quickly. I just started taking Tarceva this past Thursday. Time will tell. The reason I was a little concerned is I am a previous smoker and I was told that Tarceva works best on non-smokers. We shall see what happens. Have a great day! Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Janet, I think you may get some more replies tomorrow. Weekends find lots of people busy and away from their computers. Bump this post up tomorrow. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Janet, I was a smoker too. GOD BLESS!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Hi Janet, Welcome and glad you found us. I too am on Tarceva (since FEB05/see my profile below) and have had very good results. Did get the rash in the begging for 2 or 3 months but it went away. Did develop diarrhea that would not go away so had mine dropped from 150MG to 100MG and that solved the problem. I myself never smoked. My understanding talking to my doctor is it's the type of tumor one has that Traceva works best. Hope this helps. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesbean Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hello Janet, My dad used to smoke before he was diagnosed and is on Tarceva now. He is being scanned now after three months of Tarceva. I shall keep you posted about the results. Good luck and I wish you the best, Frances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I am still on Iressa, the sister drug to Tarceva, and it is my best friend at the moment! Good Luck. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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