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Colleen007 · 12-17-2007, 07:58 PM

I have been on Navelbine for awhile (Oct. 06 - Mar. 07 and started again July 07 through the present). The biggest problem for me is my low counts. I end up getting Neupogen and Neulasta injections to keep the counts in check (and have sometimes had to get a reduced dose). My tastebuds are off and I need to take a sleeping pill the night of treatment to counteract the steroid they give as a pre-med. I haven't really had problems with nausea (but they give me an anti-nausea called Aloxi before each treatment). The Aloxi then "backs up my system", so I also have to take Miralax after treatment. I also have some problems (slight) with neuropathy in my fingertips...nothing that has interfered with day to day life.

My last scan in October was clear...but I am continuing the Navelbine to keep the cancer away, since when I went off it in March, it only took 3 months before I "lit up" on the PET scan again.

I have learned to live with these side effects...life really is tolerable going through this treatment. I am sure you'll do fine! Best of luck to you.

12-17-2007, 07:58 PM	#3
Colleen007 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Franklin, MA Posts: 131	I have been on Navelbine for awhile (Oct. 06 - Mar. 07 and started again July 07 through the present). The biggest problem for me is my low counts. I end up getting Neupogen and Neulasta injections to keep the counts in check (and have sometimes had to get a reduced dose). My tastebuds are off and I need to take a sleeping pill the night of treatment to counteract the steroid they give as a pre-med. I haven't really had problems with nausea (but they give me an anti-nausea called Aloxi before each treatment). The Aloxi then "backs up my system", so I also have to take Miralax after treatment. I also have some problems (slight) with neuropathy in my fingertips...nothing that has interfered with day to day life. My last scan in October was clear...but I am continuing the Navelbine to keep the cancer away, since when I went off it in March, it only took 3 months before I "lit up" on the PET scan again. I have learned to live with these side effects...life really is tolerable going through this treatment. I am sure you'll do fine! Best of luck to you. __________________ 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.