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StephN · 06-21-2011, 12:17 PM

Hello Ann -
Yes, I did have treatment with Navelbine along with Taxol and Herceptin. This 3-drug approach was meant to attack the cancer cells three different ways.

Navelbine is an antimitotic agent. This means that the drug is active in disrupting the disease at a particular point in cell division, during mitosis.

The taxanes work as antimicrotubule agents. Thus the Navelbine will be a new kind of attack that your cancer cells have not seen.

Since I had TWO hard chemos at the same time it was hard to tell which side effect can from which drug. But, I was told by the nurses that what I experienced was exacerbated by both drugs.

My taste buds were blasted and I had mouth sores from time to time. Since I had Taxol at the same time, my hair fell out again.

Constipation was somewhat of a problem, and I could drink Senna tea almost daily which took care of that problem. Also stepped up my fiber intake.

I did take a stomach acid blocker as I had while on Taxotere. Never needed it after stopping the drug.

Learning HOW each drug works in causing cell death allowed me a good visual for inner work.

All the best in this next skirmish!

06-21-2011, 12:17 PM	#6
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Navelbine Hello Ann - Yes, I did have treatment with Navelbine along with Taxol and Herceptin. This 3-drug approach was meant to attack the cancer cells three different ways. Navelbine is an antimitotic agent. This means that the drug is active in disrupting the disease at a particular point in cell division, during mitosis. The taxanes work as antimicrotubule agents. Thus the Navelbine will be a new kind of attack that your cancer cells have not seen. Since I had TWO hard chemos at the same time it was hard to tell which side effect can from which drug. But, I was told by the nurses that what I experienced was exacerbated by both drugs. My taste buds were blasted and I had mouth sores from time to time. Since I had Taxol at the same time, my hair fell out again. Constipation was somewhat of a problem, and I could drink Senna tea almost daily which took care of that problem. Also stepped up my fiber intake. I did take a stomach acid blocker as I had while on Taxotere. Never needed it after stopping the drug. Learning HOW each drug works in causing cell death allowed me a good visual for inner work. All the best in this next skirmish! __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.