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08-17-2009, 10:52 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Hi All,
I have been on Navelbine and Herceptin for 2+ years and they continue to keep my cancer "stable". I recently had to change oncologists (my original one left the practice) and the new one is questioning why I get decadron as a pre-med with my Navelbine. I was always given this pre-med so I just thought it was standard protocol, but my new oncologist says that is not the case.
If anyone out there gets Navelbine, do you also get the steroidal pre-med? I would love to drop this out of the treatment if I can (especially if it isn't standard treatment)...I'm tired of feeling "puffy" all the time and having my sleep disrupted on treatment days as a result of getting the decadron. Any prior experience that any of you has to offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Colleen
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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08-17-2009, 11:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 477
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Hi Colleen,
I did not have decadron as a premed with Navelbine. I had something to coat my stomach like an anti-acid (can't remember which one).
That is great to hear the Navelbine is working so very well for you! Take care.
Carolyn
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08-17-2009, 12:13 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Hi
Not had navelbine myself but a number of women I know from clinic have but not had a steriod pre-med. I thought decadron was only used with taxanes due to the high risk of allergic reactions.
Really good to hear that this combo has been so effective for you.
Ellie
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08-17-2009, 12:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Colleen
I get my Navelbine tomorrow with Herceptin...I get it every 2 weeks, tomorrow will be treatment #8. I have never gotten any premeds of any kind with the Navelbine...nor does anyone at my chemo center in Chicago...I had my fill of steroids on the Taxanes....I dont miss that at all and have dropped 8 # since going off the Decadron from the Taxol.
I wish the navelbine worked as good on me as it does on you...i wouldn't worry about dumping the steroids!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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08-17-2009, 01:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Maybe you could have them give you 1/2 then 1/4, etc to ween you off, if you think you might react. So very glad the treatment is working! ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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08-17-2009, 02:40 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
I never had any premeds with Navelbine. I don't think it is a standard protocol.
Julie
__________________
Diagnosed in Sept 2004 while pregnant with the second child. Stage 3b, tumor 4.5cm, 4 auxillary and supraclav node positive. Her2+++ FISH 9.4 and er-,pr-.
Had dose dense neoadjuvant AC,Taxol then mastectomy,radiation+xeloda+Herceptin.
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08-17-2009, 04:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Hmm. My mom gets pre-meds for the 'bine, will look into it.
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08-18-2009, 02:02 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 157
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Colleen,
I was on Nalvabine for 18 months and I never had premed.
KarlaV.
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08-18-2009, 10:28 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
I had for 3 1/2 years with Herceptin with no
pre-meds.
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08-18-2009, 05:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Thank you for all the replies...looks like the only other person getting pre-meds is Rich's mom. The only reason I can think of for why they automatically gave this to me from the start is that I developed an allergy to the CT scan contrast dye so maybe my oncologist was just being overly cautious? I like Mary Anne's idea for weaning off...I will suggest this to my oncologist when I start the next 3 week cycle on Friday.
I have been VERY fortunate that this combo has worked so well for me. According to my husband's meticulous notes, Friday will be my 94th dose of Navelbine...and the most recent scans still say that all is stable. Sheila, I wish for the same success for you!
Thanks again to all who took the time to reply.
Colleen
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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08-18-2009, 06:13 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Interesting. Mom takes pre-meds for CT scans due to suspected iodine allergy. Had incidents of fevers without. Still not sure what she gets before Navelbine.
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08-21-2009, 07:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Turns out the clinic where Mom is going gives premeds(steroids) to everyone taking Navelbine. I said most places don't us epremeds for 'bine and the nurse just said "we do here".
Mom's counts were too low this week for Navelbine. She misses the oomph
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08-21-2009, 07:57 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,150
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Re: Question on Navelbine Pre-meds
Hi Colleen,
I never had pre-meds (except for anti nausea drugs) with Navelbine and I've been on it twice. It was my favorite, most tolerable chemo.
__________________
Love and Hugs, Vickie
Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass,
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Feb 04 IBC IIIC/IV er-/pr- her2+++
3/04 TCH X4
7/ 04 MRM 9/04 Taxol/herceptin wkly 1 yr 33X rads
11/04 skin mets 33x rads,10/05 Avast/Herc. 11 mos.
8/ 06 PET mets lymphs, neck
9/ 06 Navelbine/herceptin
11/ 06 PET NED
2/ 07 skin mets, 4/07 Xeloda, 5/07 add Tykerb
2/ 08 Tykerb failed. Doxil /Herceptin 6 months
8/08 PET skin mets, 8/08 Abraxane/Avastin
11/ 08 PET prog., skin mets
1/09 PET/CT progress, 1/09 Ixempra, 2/09 add Xeloda and low dose Naltrexone
2/09 off Ixempra/Xeloda
3/09 navelbine/herc/cytoxin 4/09 PET shows regress.7/09 start Topotecan. Failed.
8/09 extensive mets rgt brst, back and torso. starting Pazopanib clinical trial.
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