HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - how long does it take for zeloda and tykerb to kick in

Mandamoo · 04-29-2012, 05:28 PM

I am now on my 4th cycle of Tykerb and xeloda - my current does is 7 xeloda and 4 tykerb. I now have very little GI stuff going on at all. Fatigue is also more manageable.

The itch I was experiencing is definitely worse on xeloda weeks but I have continual dry skin that no amount of moisturising seems to touch! My hand foot issues are mild with some cracking in my thumb and sore feet at the end of xeloda cycle if I have been walking or standing too much.

My CT scan after 2 1/2 cycles showed a substantial reduction in my lung mets - I clarified with my oncologist and she said many, many mets are gone! (I have loads) - my axilla node is gone and my skin met is also gone apart from a pale pink scar like appearance. My tumour marker has halved (I never get very high - have gone from 40 - 33 - 20). It seems I have had a very impressive response. I don't know what this means going forward but we are hoping to continue to have a good response. The radiologist who has looked at all of my films over the past 12 months was apparently gobsmacked at the change in the 12 weeks since my previous scan!

FYI - to add Herceptin into the mix here in Australia I would need to self fund to the tune of $60 000/year. I did approach Roche quietly who felt that there was not enough evidence of efficacy for using Tykerb and Herceptin together to justify self funding (or compassionate use). Will have to keep a look out as it seems I respond well to Tykerb and Xeloda is also obviously the right chemo too (as none of the others have done much for me).
So for now I am hoping that this is going to last a while for me. Hoping others get such a good response.

04-29-2012, 05:28 PM	#10
Mandamoo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 432	Re: how long does it take for zeloda and tykerb to kick in I am now on my 4th cycle of Tykerb and xeloda - my current does is 7 xeloda and 4 tykerb. I now have very little GI stuff going on at all. Fatigue is also more manageable. The itch I was experiencing is definitely worse on xeloda weeks but I have continual dry skin that no amount of moisturising seems to touch! My hand foot issues are mild with some cracking in my thumb and sore feet at the end of xeloda cycle if I have been walking or standing too much. My CT scan after 2 1/2 cycles showed a substantial reduction in my lung mets - I clarified with my oncologist and she said many, many mets are gone! (I have loads) - my axilla node is gone and my skin met is also gone apart from a pale pink scar like appearance. My tumour marker has halved (I never get very high - have gone from 40 - 33 - 20). It seems I have had a very impressive response. I don't know what this means going forward but we are hoping to continue to have a good response. The radiologist who has looked at all of my films over the past 12 months was apparently gobsmacked at the change in the 12 weeks since my previous scan! FYI - to add Herceptin into the mix here in Australia I would need to self fund to the tune of $60 000/year. I did approach Roche quietly who felt that there was not enough evidence of efficacy for using Tykerb and Herceptin together to justify self funding (or compassionate use). Will have to keep a look out as it seems I respond well to Tykerb and Xeloda is also obviously the right chemo too (as none of the others have done much for me). So for now I am hoping that this is going to last a while for me. Hoping others get such a good response. __________________ Amanda xx 40 year old Mum to three gorgeous kids - son 5 and daughters 8 and 11 Wife to my wonderfully supportive husband of 17 years! 22 February 2011 - Diagnosed Early Breast Cancer IDBC Stage2b (ER/PR -ve, Her2+ve +++) - 38 years old (L) skin sparing mastectomy with tissue expander, axilla clearance (2/14 affected) clear margins. Fec3, Taxotere and herceptin2 - stopped due to secondary diagnosis June 24 2011 Stage IV - Skin met, axilla node, multiple lung lesions Bolero3 trial - Navelbine, Hereptin weekly, daily Everolimus/Placebo February 2012 - July 2012 Tykerb and Xeloda - skin mets resolved, Lungs initially dramatically reduced but growing again August 2012 (turn 40!) tykerb and herceptin (denied compassionate use of TDM1) while holidaying in Italy! September 2012 - January 2013 TDM1 as part of the Th3resa trial - lymph nodes resolved, lungs slowly progressing. January 2013 - herceptin, carboplatin and Perjeta (compassionate access) April 2013 - Some progression in lungs and lymph nodes - Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta July 2013 - mixed response - dramatic reduction of most lung disease, progression of smaller lung nodules and cervical and hilar nodes - ? Add avastin.