Ixabepilone---Ixempra

Kasey · 03-02-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi,

I usually post on a different board but somebody suggested I post here for more information. After two battles with breast cancer (opposite breasts) I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in February 2007. Since then I have been on Gemzar/Herceptin, Xeloda/Tykerb, and Navelbine/Herceptin. I have had progression on each one. My Onc has suggested Ixempra next and I was hoping to get some information on side effects and can't seem to find much info about it. Can anyone tell me if you had nausea, hair loss, ect? And how about pre meds? Did you need to take anti-nausea drugs afterwards? Thank for any info you can share.

Kasey

er, pr neg, Her2 pos

LOPSIDED · 03-02-2008, 06:40 PM

I Started Ixempra The Middle Of December. I Do Get Pre-meds Before Treatment. I Also Get Shots To Boost White Blood Cells The Following 2 Days After Chemo. I Do Usually Throw Up Once Or Twice The Third Day Following Chemo. I Am Very Tired And Seem To Be Getting Weaker With Each Treatment. My Red Cells & Hemoglobin Are Low. I Am Going To Ask My Doctor If They Can Give Me A Shot To Boost My Red Cells. I Am Going To Do 6 Treatments Of Ixempra & Then Start Tykerb. I Did Go For Scans After 3 Treatments And It Showed A 50% Reduction In My Enlarged Lymph Nodes. They Told Me I Might Not Lose My Hair, But It Started Falling Out 10 Days After First Treatment. I Just Have Two More Treatments To Go & Off To Another Ct Scan. Will Keep You Posted.

smith · 03-02-2008, 10:10 PM

I have been on Ixempra plus Tykerb since January. I have not had any nausea due to the chemo. And I did not lose my hair. My white counts have been fine, but my red counts do drop. I am very tired. Usually on day 2 I can barely get out of bed, but then each day I get a little better. I also have body aches. The aches have gotten better with each treatment, the tiredness has not. I really only stay in bed 1 day. All in all this has not been a bad chemo. No more trips to malls or hiking. I had a scan after 2 treatments and am stable. I hope my next scan shows shrinkage. But for now I will take stable.

Kasey · 03-03-2008, 01:50 PM

Thank you Sheila and Smith for the info. That is weird that one of you lost your hair and one did not. Wonder what determines that? I'm not sure if I should order a wig or not??

Sheila, I'm glad to hear about your reduction! And Smith, stable is good too! I'd love to hear either!

Thanks again,
Kasey