Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

Stage IV, 14 years now. God's not done with me yet! Recent lung tumors unaffected by 3 mos Ixempra. Starting Eribulin this Wednesday. Can you share your experience, helpful hints? Can I work through it? Any info welcome:)

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

Hello,

Wow- 14 years is truly inspiring!

I found Halaven very tolerable and it shrunk my lung mets after a couple of treatments. My hair did thin quite a bit, but I didn't lose it all. I had a little fatigue for a couple of days. My counts became too low after I started the 5th round and I am on a chemo break right now- but I really thought it was doable!

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

Thanks for the encouragement! Since the drug is given in 2 doses 1 week apart, then a week off, when did the "few days of fatigue" bother you. Am trying to figure out a work schedule, even though I know that everyone's different and I probably just need to wait and see. . . Hope that things continue in a positive direction for you!

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

The fatigue set in after the steroids wore off starting about two days after infusion- each of the two weeks. I had infusions on Tuesday and then I could feel the steroids start to wear off on Thursday and was usually starting to feel better by Saturday/Sunday. Yes- we are all different and I also had radiation to my spine and a spot in my head while still doing Halaven- but that could have contributed to some of my fatigue. Let us know how it goes!

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

14 yrs...wow!!! That is something I strive for...I was on Eribulen for about 7 months....I was the first to get it at my cancer center in Chicago. I was tired after the first dose, but the mets on my neck literally melted away before my eyes, and started doing so almost immediately. I found it very easy to take, no premeds, no nausea, no problems with my counts, but some hair loss....I wish it would have worked forever, it was my most successful treatment so far. Hoping it works magic for you too! I carried on life as usual while on it.

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

Looks like we both have long "rap sheets". I just haven't kept mine up. God is good to give us life in spite of the chemo. It's an ongoing battle, isn't it? Sorry to see your latest progression, but hope that the "new Herceptin" will be your next miracle. Am interested in how you accessed the drug as I can only find it for 1st time use. Anyway, I just failed Ixempra after 3 months, and will start the Halaven tomorrow. Thanks for the encouragement of your experience on it. Am so hoping to go back to work on it, as my energy has returned. Keep looking up!

Re: Eribulin/Halaven - tell me about it!
 

14 years - Amazing!
I've just reached my 10 year mark Stage IV a couple of months ago. Big Pharma needs to keep developing those drugs to keep us kicking around for many more years to come!

I was on Halaven for ~18weeks last August. I found it pretty tolerable, but my counts took a hit, chronically anemic & neutropenic, and I did lose my hair. All of it :( I'd had 5yr reprieve from baldness, actually NOT losing my hair on Ixempra, but for the 3rd time on Halaven. My hair did start to grow back while I was still on treatment, but unfortunately I progressed on Halaven after initially responding.
I think you'll be able to work while doing Halaven, but as you know, everyone is different. I had a horrendous time on Ixempra & was bed-ridden for 4 months the first time by my treatment.
When you have a moment, will you share your dx & tx history with us?
Best of luck starting Halaven - hope you tolerate it well and even more so, hope that it knocks this disease way back!

Keep the Faith~

Jml