Laryy28 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Hello Everyone, My name is Larry and my father got diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC/w metastasis to the spine in November 07. Which has unabled him to walk. He is 55..I am the only child..He received 3 cycles of Carboplatin and Taxol, with very little affect. Now he is taking tarceva daliy and Zomera once a month. Can anyone give me any information on all the diffrent treatments he can get if the tarceva does not work? From what I have read on the forum alot of you are very well educated on the subject. I would also like to know if any of you used infra red therapy or and natural type of pills. I have been researching on RM10,Nikken products and Zeolite liquid ..Do these things help???? I am willing to try anything to save my father or atleast to prolong his life. Thank you so much Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Hi, Larry, welcome to the group. I'm sorry your dad didn't get more benefit from the Taxol and Carboplatin. That's a rather standard first-line treatment for NSCLC, but it simply doesn't work well on some people because of different body chemistry or variations in the cancer subtype. Let's hope the Tarceva is more effective, as it has been for many people. Some have remained stable for 2 to 3 years or more on Tarceva. Do you know your dad's specific NSCLC cell type (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell, or large cell) and when his next scan is scheduled? Has he had much problem with side effects? If you haven't already, please visit cancergrace.org (the previous onctalk.com has been folded into GRACE, Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education). There's a wealth of information there, especially on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and have the same usernames there as here. The forum at GRACE has a section for Complementary and Alternative Medicine -- you can post your questions on supplements there and have them answered by a naturopathic physician at the same cancer center. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Thank you so much for the information NED! My Father has Non small cell Carcinoma of the lung wuth metastases to the bone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb10653 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Larry it sounds like your father has been diagnosed with the same cancer as my husband and the bone mets and pain that accompany them are really a quality of life issue. My husband just had his third round of Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin and Zometa with his 2nd chemo...so far inconclusive results so I am anticiapating other treatment also. The Grace site that Ned mentioned addresses 2nd line treatment fairly well and at least familiarizes you with the names and the differences. Good Luck and I will watch for your updates, I totally understand wanting to do anything to prolong this journey for our loved ones as long as they have good quality of life! Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Thanks so much for replying Deb.Did the insurance cover Avastin?? Does anyone know if my father can take Avastin and Tarceva??? I would like to ask his oncologist if this could be possible. I just want to know if anyone else is on this treatment or has gotten it. And if so what results you have or may have had with this treatment. Thanks Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Hi Larry and welcome. Here's a link to some info on 2nd line treatments from Dr. West. http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/01/24/ ... -nsclc-rx/ you probably need to set up a user id etc. Take care Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Larry: Sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis, but you're right, there are a nimber of 2nd line defenses now that can slow down (if not stop) progress. If, however, he has squamous cell type NSCLC, he won't have as many options since some of the 2nd line drugs can actually cause squamous cells to grow larger faster or cause mortal hemhorrages. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Hi Carol, He has Adenocarcinoma stage 4. He on tarceva right now. Could another treatment be given to him?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Hi, Larry. So far as I know, adenocarcinoma (unlike squamous cell) tends to be receptive to all the new 2nd line drugs. If his docs have him on Tarceva, they may not want to add any new drugs (such as Avastin, etc.) until they've had time to see if Tarceva is working well on its own. If it is, then they would want to keep him on that only so that he still has options when/if the Tarceva ceases stopping or slowing down progression. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet B Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Larry I have stage 4 adnocarcinoma with mets to the spine also - my mets were also so bad that l was unable to lift my right leg - that and the back pain were what sent me to the doctor in the first place. I have used Tarceva now for over a year and it has been working wonderfully for me. I pray that your dad has the same incredible results. Peace - Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Thanks you all for the great advice you have given me. Janet I hope to god that Tarceva workers for my father as it did for you. I gets a dry cough and sometimes does gets diarrhea. Oh and his feet start to hurt late at night. I will list his meds in awhile..Can Tarceva cause these symptom's??? And so what can he get to help him with that?? Thank You Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Dr.West, My father has been experiencing Diarrhea and has been having foot and leg pain. More foot pain then leg. These are his medications Tarceva 150mg Nexium 40mg Mirtazapine 15mg Digoxin .25mg Prednisone 20mg Hydroco.apap 7.5 Ambien 10mg Metoprolol 50 mg twice a day. Ativan 0.5mg Can these cause any of the symptom's list above?? If so what can he take?? Thank You Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Larry, your message to Dr. West needs to be posted on HIS website. He come's here now and then, but he's on his website daily. http://cancergrace.org/ http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/01/24/ ... -nsclc-rx/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laryy28 Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Thanks for guiding me in the right direction Connie! Thank You God Bless Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet B Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Larry I have been on Tarceva for over a year - I have pretty much daily diarrhea. I guess I have just learned to live with it - I make sure I eat enough and drink enough each day - and if I am going to be in public or away from home for extended periods I take Imodium which helps. My doctor has suggested trying to go down on the dosage but since 150mg has been working so well, I am hesitant to do that. I have not experienced any leg or foot pain - but I have had restless leg syndrome for years and it has gotten much much worse. My doctor suggested Tonic with quinine (he said adding gin was always a good option!) and it does seem to help. With all my side effects I notice that they are always less severe when I am careful about drinking lots and lots of water (like a gallon a day). I am sending prayers your fathers way. Peace - Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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