skin mets driving me crazy

[lindaw]

Hi All

I know I have asked this question a million times but wonder if anyone has any other ideas. I am still waiting for the Tkerb/Lapatinib to be ok'd. Its as if the skin mets know - they are stinging and itching and sending me crazy. I take painkillers and wash and try every cream i can think of - to no avail. The radiaiton Dr said the radiaiton will still be working but i appear to have new little bumps so not sur eif its that or the rads. I am going mad.

love
linda

[Sandy H]

Hi Linda: I know how you feel! Having been there myself several time is not fun. I don't know what to tell you. I used an aloe jel which cooled them for a short time. I wore loose tops and had to sleep with nothing on with my chest open to the air. When I waited 7 weeks for the Tykerb I blew up at the nurse in Data Management. She would keep saying its coming, its coming and yet when I would ask the the oncology nurse nothing had been done on it for a whole week or more. I told her when your chest feels like bacon fat burning a hole through it one day is too long to wait!! She told me she felt sorry I felt that way!!! That really fused me and I told her she doesn't understand because she is not the one with bacon fat on her chest. After that things started happening fast. I am praying the Tykerb will work for you and it will come soon. Sending you a big hug, Sandy

[hutchibk]

Hi girls -

I do not and have never had skin mets.... but a very dear friend of mine with inflammatory had horrible skin mets. I seem to remember that for the last 3 years, her doc was experimenting with Gemzar in combo with something and it worked very well for her for quite a while, she saw the worst of her skin mets heal quite
a bit and become a lot less raw and painful, though in her case it never completely went away. It did keep her cancer stable for at least those 3 years. (sadly we lost her in May'06 from liver mets...)

I will try and remember to ask my chemo nurses what her protocol was in case it
can help you in any way.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, she also used emu oil or cream on her skin and I think she
felt that it also contributed to giving her relief as well. I will also ask my chemo nures if they remember what her cream was as well....

Hope this helps!

[lindaw]

Thanks Sandy and BHutchison

I will have to trya nd get through it best way I can. Wish I could fast forward to when the Tykerb gets here.

love
Linda