Hi Jessica -
I wish this new board had a way to directly address a post without starting a new topic, so hope you will see this.
I may not have this exactly straight, but I thought I heard in San Antonio that a full investigation with cooperating countries was underway to gather just the data you mentioned in the last post.
As it was in international symposium with cancer professionals from all over, as well as the drug companies respresented for their US AND foreign headquarters, we had chance to speak to as many as possible.
The HER2 Support table was in the midst of the large Exhibition area and we could wander around and speak to the reps, their docs, and reps from the foreign offices. Anything I had an interest in, I was free to start up a conversation at that booth and get any printed material, CD-roms, etc (I have two bags the size of a large computer carrier/briefcase FULL).
When these reps found out that I was a survivor, NED, maintained on Herceptin & Zometa (booth for Zometa (Novartis) right across from ours) this raised their interest as they don't see many actual patients in their end, but are quite informed. I was often quizzed on what else I took (including supplements, by the way).
The COX2 inhibitor was on a lot of minds due to the just released info on Vioxx, and what else might turn up.
It is likely if I did not have my current condition with brain mets, I wouls stay on the Celebrex until more complete information is out on the possible reasons to go off it. I have taken it for the reason you mentioned all this time (2.5 years) as another bullet in my arsenol, even if it only fit a Derringer!
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