Question on Navelbine Pre-meds

[Colleen007]

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

[Carolyns]

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

[Ellie F]

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

[Sheila]

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!

[Mary Anne in TX]

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

[Julie2]

I never had any premeds with Navelbine. I don't think it is a standard protocol.

Julie

[Rich66]

Hmm. My mom gets pre-meds for the 'bine, will look into it.

[Kavy]

Colleen,
I was on Nalvabine for 18 months and I never had premed.
KarlaV.

[Ann in Boston]

I had for 3 1/2 years with Herceptin with no
pre-meds.

[Colleen007]

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

[Rich66]

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.

[Rich66]

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;)

[vickie h]

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.