PaulaG Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 So, most of you are Avastin users. What can you say abut the rejection of Avastin as a cancer remedy? I found this here: A panel recommends disapproving breast cancer drug. A board of cancer specialists advised the drug Avastin should not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. The board established that the narcotic has serious side effects and is ineffective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 the exact statement refers to treatment of breast cancer! Many Chemos have multiple uses. avastin is one of them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Many people seem to do well on Avastin for lung cancer. Unfortunately, I was one of that small minority of people in whom it caused raging blood pressure. I took Avastin with Carboplatin and Taxol for six rounds and then Avastin maintenance for the balance of a year. I was taking enough bp meds to down an elephant and thought Avastin was going to kill me. During that year I was in remission for six months. I chose to go off the Avastin and got another six months NED. I do appreciate that for many it appeared to be the magic bullet. If this report is relative to breast cancer, we'll wait and see what the verdict is for lung cancer. Judy in KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 I split this topic off from the original post - but it may not be in the best forum. Katie - you are welcome to move it to the appropriate place. (I'm happy I was able to split the topic!) I think the topic is of enough interest, but as far as I know, there have been no questions raised as to Avastin's continued use for lung cancer. Paula - I don't think many lung cancer patients are prescribed Avastin. It is not used in many situations due to an increased possibility for bleeding (not good if you are planning surgery, have brain mets, or coughing up blood) and some other that escape me at the moment (unmanageable high blood pressure.) It is also only Rx for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Avastin can also cause kidney problems. So it isn't a therapy to be taken lightly. If they rush a drug to use, but cannot show its effectiveness on clinical trials, it tends to be seen as mostly a money generator for the pharmaceutical company. I understand there are individuals who seem to have gotten benefit from the drug, but it is not known if that was from the combination of drugs, or the other drug alone. I do think that if someone has already been on Avastin for metastatic breast cancer and had excellent results, they should be allowed to continue until their next progression. It would be a true morale blow to have it taken away in this situation. Oncologists should be able to Rx it in this situation and insurance should cover it. It's the compassionate thing to do. Oh, and paula, Avastin is not a narcotic. I'd be interested in hearing from you with your reaction to the ruling, though a lung cancer support board may not be the best forum for your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 The reason it is not approved for breast cancer is that it has not been found to be effective for that kind of cancer. It is approved for lung cancer and, for many, has been quite effective. It does have risks. All chemo drugs have risks. If a drug isn't effective for a particular type of cancer, it doesn't make any sense to take the risk of using that drug. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I HATE Avastin and believe that it was the reason my husband's life was shorter than what it should have been. We were given the side effects and possible issues with Avastin but, there was no where else to turn. I am NOT blaming anyone or anthing for Thom's death except cancer however, I think if we would have had another drug to use he may have been here a little longer. While I can't say that for sure, it's how I feel. Just our experience. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Jean I know exactly how you feel! My wife was on an antibiotic that killed three others in Charlotte NC about a month before she passed away! was and am still not completely happy bout that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Randy, Don't want to go into details because I know there are others that I am sure had great experiences with Avastin but, the last week of Thom's life was a living hell because of Avastin. He went through pain and suffering that should have NEVER happened. Am I bitter? Absolutely. I am coming up on the 2nd anniversary of his death and at the present I am reliving his last week of life and it hurts. Thanks for understanding. Hugs and understanding to you my friend. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I remember 2 years , and then 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 also! Don't relive the bad though just sit down and look back at the happy ones before the bad ones in the photo albums!! When Deb passed away, she had been on all the other regiments of chemo available. Her next option was to have been avastin starting the morning she passed away because that was only one left available!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Randy, As you know, that's easier said than done. I wish I could erase all of the bad "stuff" and just keep the good. I guess in the end it didn't matter what treatment Thom had it was in God's hands and it was His decision to have him with Him in Heaven. That's the thought that gets me through my days, KNOWING that Thom is at peace and no longer suffering. CANCER SUCKS!!! Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Yes Jean, CANCER SUCKS! I too remember Bill's last days sometimes and I am fortunate to be able to block out those bad memories with God's help. We had so many great memories and they outshadow the bad. Thank God for that. I hear your anger and it's ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Laurie, Thank you. Thom and I had 30 yrs. of love and wonderful memories and I just can't seem to put those 10 months of cancer behind me. I hope someday, like you I can put the bad memories behind me and focus on the good. I hope that day is soon. Take care, Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hugs, hugs, hugs to you ~ Laurie, Jean, and Randy. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Thank you sweet Kasey. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 thanks and we were 3 weeks shy of 10 years together! so yes I do get it completely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 yours too Katie!! Hugs back at ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joppette Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I just came upon this for the first time. (Where have I been?) It made me think of the memories I have of my Mom's last 9 months. Some of the memories are horrific. Some of them are amazing. I have to choose to remember the amazing memories. I shut out the bad ones, because I must. But, I totally understand. Jean, your grief is still so fresh. I pray for comfort for you, and that the bad stuff is replaced with the good memories. Hugs. Judy in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thank you Katie. I wish you still had your Mom and Dad here on Earth with you. Hugs to you, Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thank you dear Judy. I hope so too and am glad you have the good memories first and foremost as it should be. Hugs to you, Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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