Info on Halaven (eribulin) anyone?

[Cat]

I have developed small lung densities worrisome for mets up to 8x5mm and am being taken off kadcyla (can't bring myself to say "i failed" on it). Will begin halaven next week and frankly very unfamiliar with it. Anyone have input on it, good or bad? I thank you ahead of time for the info.

I'm thinking of you Denise... Keep them laughing...
Cathy

[LeahM]

Cat I don't have any input but please never say "I failed". Current treatments may be failing you, but you are not failing.

Best
Leah

[donocco]

Cat

I can give you some pharmacological knowledge about Halaven. I imagine you are most interested in the side effects. It causes definite hair loss but oddly, in some people, the hair starts growing back while the patient is still on the drug. It can cause peripheral neurpathy which can be bothersome. Neutropenia, sometimes severe, is common and you will have to be monitored for possible infection. It can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue and bone pain.

It works like Taxol and Ixempra on the micrutubules and the side effects of Halaven are similar to the other two. It is given on days 1 and 8 of a 21 (I think) day cycle at a dosage of 4mg/square meter body surface area.

Hope this helps a bit

Paul

[Cat]

Thank you for the info. Do you know if there is any time frame for side effects to show up? The cycle is as you said Paul 2 wks on 1 wk off. I had fairly routine and expected side effects on the taxanes but it was milder and more erratic on kadcyla.
Leah, I know I didn't fail but it still feels like I've disappointed. In my 20's and 30's I gave blood 2-4 times a year without issue except once my hemoglobin was too low and I felt the word reject on my back as I left. This is far more complicated but the feeling is similiar.
I am eternally grateful for my friends and family and all those people that have paved the way for me to even try kadcylq.
Hugs,
Cathy

[donocco]

Cat

I checked around. One section had a numberof patients taking Halaven posting. Some lost the hair quickly, a few didnt lose it and one woman said she lost a lot of hair 5 days after the first cycle which would be about day 13.

With many chemos the lowest white cell count occurs in about 14 days although it varies considerably among patients.

Apparently constipation is a big problem with Halevan and the use of stool softeners was mentioned.


Paul

[Cat]

Again, thank you Paul. I'm one to want to know what to expect. I've always watched them give me a shot or draw blood etc. and so having an idea of what might happen puts me at ease... A little.
I'm gonna miss the little hair that's grown back, even the bald spots from cyber that are just getting peach fuzz but I kinda hope I do lose it because (even tho I know better) if I don't I'll wonder if it's working as good as it should.
So sad to hear about constipation. I have never been so focused on my bowel movements since all this started. Too bad I'm so much older tho since my kids tell me there is a sight called "rate your poop". Haha
Oh well onward, so long hair (I hope, I think) and hello hats. So far starting out to be a cold winter in Chicago burbs.
Brrrr Cathy

[CoolBreeze]

I was on Halavan - easiest chemo I ever did. It was like being on nothing. Kept my hair, no tummy problems, nothing.

[donocco]

Cat

Check with the Oncology nurse about the Halaven hair loss.
It may be atypical as compared to Taxol and you might start worrying it isnt working based on the lack of hair loss or regrowth of hair while on the drug. Apparently about half the pathents lose a lot of hair and there can be regrowth while the patient is still getting the drug. Some of the Halaven patients in that group I stumbled on were saying "How can the drug be working if my hair is growing while Im still getting it? It seems that the hair loss with Halaven is not the same as with Taxol and Adriamycin. The Oncology nurse probably would know a lot about this.

Paul

[KristinSchwick]

I just started Halaven and love it. It is administered in such a small volume so you don't have to sit around all day waiting for the drip to go in. I have only been on it a week but I haven't noticed any side effects yet. My hair is regrowing from taxtotere, granted its pretty thin though. Scarves for me. My oncologist said that sometimes people will just randomly start to regrow hair on this therapy. Whoowhhoo, I want some.

[Cat]

Kristin,
We are on a similiar start with this. I go for my 2nd injection tomorrow and yes it is nice to be shorter time though I still get decadron and zofran before. I've only had mild symptoms so far. A little tired, very mild nausea, no need for meds and a little blah. However I have noticed improvement in my shortness of breath and decreased fluid retention. I hope it's not my imagination and too early to see improvement. Planning on losing my hair so I'm not disappointed if I do. Let us know how you're doing. So far so good.
Cathy

[KristinSchwick]

Cat,
Just realized the itchy scalp was not regrowing hair after finishing taxotere, nope- just lost my 1 cm long hair. It was falling out in huge clumps so I clean shaved it. Still no side effects other than that so I am a happy camper. Some of my bone lesions hurt periodically, but they never seam to be getting worse or progressive, so I'm hopeful that that is because they are healing. Maybe. Fingers crossed.

[Cat]

Kristin, sorry to hear about the hair but it sounds like you're doing well anyway. Besides hair is SOOOO overrated. First time I lost it, my stylist shaved it and said women have such beautiful heads... I'm going with that. So many pretty scarves out there lately. Mine has only made it to about an 1 1/2 inches but I was happy it came in almost straight this time. I've always had curls come back. My hair is normally stick straight and I had no idea what to do with the curls!!!
Wishing you well and good results. Hugs.
Cathy