Pre-meds and Navelbine

[7andcounting]

O.K. thanks to this wonderful board I learned that some of you were not doing premeds with their Navelbine. I had my 3rd Navelbine treatment this week and asked to not have the anti nausea and steriod drugs. The nurses were a bit concerned, but I am here to tell you that 28 hours later I have felt sooo much better to have not taken those premeds. I'm hoping that I am not early to draw this conclusion, but I'm hoping that if I was going to have nausea it would have already happened.

I had some side effects from the premeds, the 1st two times that I didn't like, but the main thing is I just feel better than I have the other two treatments.

I'll post again if anything changes, but for now....I'm just thankful for others sharing their experiences so I knew this was even a possibility!

Thanks!

Joyce

[Chelee]

Joyce,
I hate the pre-meds too...especially the steroids. But Navelbine did cause me nausea. Mild nausea, nothing serious...but then I did have the Zofran in my IV & would follow-up with my nausea pills at home for 3 days to be on the safe side.

I wasn't brave enough go go without Zofran--but maybe I would of been ok? I also had some heartburn that protonix took care of. Everyone is different so you just don't know till you try. Do be on guard because some times chemo's don't hit you till the 2nd or 3rd day. However I know other women that have never had any nausea with Navelbine..so hopefully all goes well.

Chelee

[7andcounting]

Hi Chelee,

I'm sorry Navelbine makes you feel ill. It's been 2 days since treatment and I still feel better than before when I would use the pre-meds. I didn't get Zofran, but something else. I can't remember the name. Yes, you are right, I know that I could still have problems, don't know if I do o.k. this time if down the road could have issues, but I'm taking it one day at a time and just being thankful that I feel better.

I keep trying to do what I can to have better quality of life. So much of the past 7 years I have not felt well b/c of the surgeries and the drugs, so I have wishful thinking that even though I am battling this disease I can live a somewhat normal life.....whatever that is! :)

Happy Saturday!

Joyce

[DeenaH]

I refused steroids even on my first treatment of navelbine. I just had my third on thursday, so we are on the same schedule! I did 25mg of benedryl and 12 mg of zofran with my first treatment, 12.5mg benedryl and 12mg zofran with my second and third. Next week I'll forego the benedryl. I have had some queasiness, but less this time than last time. I took 1 8mg zofran yesterday and 1 today. I hope it keeps going well for you!

[swimangel72]

My first oncologist gave me Navelbine without any pre-meds - the only SE I experienced was some diarrhea that night (which was not serious). After 3 treatments with this onc, I switched to a new onc - his nurse gave me pre-meds (a steroid, forget the name) - and it gave me extremely painful gas and constipation for three days! For my next infusion I insisted they eliminate the pre-meds, and felt much better dealing only with the diarrhea........of course everyone is different, but I think with Navelbine, my first onc was very smart to withhold the pre-meds until they could see if I suffered any SEs. Why give unnecessary meds to patients if there's no guarantee they'll have SEs - it just causes another set of SEs! In my case - less was more.

[Barbara H.]

I was never given pre-meds with Navelbine. I did have constipation issues and felt tired. My hair also thinned somewhat. It was not a difficult chemo, but I never felt great on it. I found TDM-1 much easier. I am currently on Herceptin/Tykerb. It is a very easy treatment for me.
Kind regards,
Barbara H.

[Trish]

Good news Joyce-fingers crossed things stay well. I just watched the final 2 Harry Potter movies with my 14yo. One of the horcruxes (a necklace) made whoever was wearing it extremely impatient and agitated. I thought that is just like me on Dexamethosone! Nothing like 'roid rage. Hope the pre med free regime continues to work for you,
Trish

[7andcounting]

Hi,

Update is that today is Monday, and treatment was on last Thurs. and I felt better the entire time not being on premeds. Oh well, some news in this cancer journey is good...for me like this...and then some news is bad...I'll take whatever good I get!! :)

Joyce

[Unregistered]

Hi: I have been lurking for several weeks on several of these threads as I had a lot of questions on several chemo treatments.
I had originally been diagnosed in 2008 with breast cancer - had a mastectomy and restructuring at the same time. Chemo for four months followed by a year of Herceptin which was interrupted with a lymph dissection, followed by radiation. Herceptin continued till December 2009. Herceptin didn't work and I found a node in my neck March 2011 and after CT Scan found mets in my lungs. I found out my oncol tried to get me in the TDM-1 trials here but I was turned down because of the lymph node dissection in 2009 which the trials say it was a reoccurrence of the cancer even though my oncol said "NO" it was a node left from original surgery.
So I went on Xeloda and Tykerb starting June 2011, Didn't work, mets in the lungs progressed. I am supposed to start Navelbine next week and until than I am on oxy and dexamethasone for 10 days.
I didn't know about this steroid before - or is this same one that I would have been given while on taxol? If it is, I am thinking of refusing any more after this 10 days of prescription.

I don't have much hope but I have asked my oncol to advocate on my behalf to the drug co. for a "compassionate release" of the TDM-1. Is there anyone that has done this?

Thank for letting me sound off
Gail

[Unregistered]

Hi Gail,

I think it's awesome that your Dr. would try to advocate for you to get TDM-1. Hope that works.

Meanwhile, I hope that when you start Navelbine you will see great results. I'm sorry, I don't remember if the steroid I got with taxol is the same steroid I was given with Navelbine. With the Navelbine I just remember the steroid having some pretty unpleasant side effects, so I was glad when I discontinued the steroid that I could get by without it. I do not take the steroid or the anti-nausea drug.

Best wishes,

Joyce

[Unregistered]

Hi
My ong couldn't get me on Tdm1.
I have just had my second Navelbine. The first was 75%, the second was 85%. Since I am still on a steroid, morning only, no problem without any other pre med. I find that I am tired for a couple days only. The constipation is controllable so far. The only thing that I have had both times is bad heartburn the evening of the treatment. I'll be ready with the Gaviscon from now on!!

The only thing that is keeping me from getting out and getting some exercise is that I am on oxy 24/7. Have to find some small bottles to at least get out to the stores or mall for a walk.

Gail