Tykerb Cares Program

[koolmom]

Esther,

I just posted on another board but I have having the same rash on my face. Have you found anything that worked yet? My cheeks are all splotchy and I have little blisters that I thought were pimples. This is about my 7th day on Tykerb. Has your rash gotten better or worse with more days of Tykerb? Look forward to hearing from you.

Pam

[bailey]

I think that is from the xeloda but not sure - goes along with the hand and foot thing. Try a good make of Vitamin C Cream - try Jan Marini C'esta Cream - you will have to find an aesthetician in your area and get it from her - it's expensive but you only need to use a bit a.m. and pm - if you use moisturizer you would use the Vit C cream first plus it's an amazing product anyway for the skin. I'm a Lic. Aestetician and have been using it and selling it for years and it was the one product that really kept my skin awesome even through all my chemo. Although I have not started the meds yet I am sure it will work - make take time to settle it down but worth the try - it's a fabulous product. We recommend it for our patients with rosacea as well and it's great.

Let me know how it goes.
B

[Esther]

The rash and pimples get better with time and are supposed to go away within 4-6 weeks.

I used an Olay face cleanser, a clay mask, and used the infrared sauna to cleanse pores. Any kind of acne cream used overnight helps to finish drawing it out and drying quicker.

I'm down just an occasional pimple now, hopefully that will be it for me.

[Lolly]

good to know; after less than a week my face looks like "oatmeal and cream"! I've got a medicated clay mask from my dermatogist, that's helping somewhat. I guess time will do the rest.

[Joy]

I'm glad to know, too, that the rash can abate over time. I am also grateful for everyone's tip and hints on how to deal with the breakouts. As I mentioned before, I battled acne for YEARS and only in the last 5 or so years have I had the skin I always wanted. I also have hair I like again. And while I'll admit a certain amount of vanity, it is also a matter of looking HEALTHY. It does so much for the outlook when on the outside you look healthy. I was told today at school by a friend that I looked 'radiant' for some reason. And as I posted on the main board, I think it is being off herceptin for the first time in 41/2 years. I'm pretty sure xeloda and tykerb will take care of that radiance though.


Most importantly I want this treatment to beat the snot out of the cancer, but I can't help but hope that I'll keep my hair and that my skin can eventually look the way it does now.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Been on Herceptin since '98. Got ev 6 mnth ECHOs to check EF (ejection fraction). Am doing really well so Pegram suggested at this point (as of Feb '06) I could go for ANNUAL Echo cardiograms. Taking Arginine 350 especially strengthens the heart. + I have started that along w/Co Enzyme Q10 -- 100 and B6- 50 , E400, Magnesium, Lysine and Phyto Formula (1 scoop in OJ), Flaxseed Oil 1000 + Omega 3,6&9, Grapeseed Extract 150-- all to boost heart function. I take C 1000 w/bioflavonoids + Green Tea capsules (or drink 3 cups a day to shrink tumors). Calcium of course. w/D400 _ D3 - 1000.Lysine 500. Magnesium 200. All this from NY Columbia Presb oncol/hematol who specializes in nutrition and supplements. An oncological expert in this field is a rare find. He is in to meditation, mind/body connection, holistic approach WITH traditional meds. TO ENHANCE benefits -- body, mind and SOUL. ADJUNCTIVE/IN ADDITION TO conventional, cutting edge approach.

Someone said Herceptin AND Tykerb????????????????????????? My understanding was if Herceptin does NOT work for you (and thank God it does for me -- Tykerb is the answer for those people). I don't understand doing both together. Went to conference on this last wk. That's how Dr. Charles Vogel explained the 2 drugs. As long as Herceptin is working, stay w/it, he says. Otherwise, you have the option of switching to Tykerb.

ALSO -- I READ A POST THAT HERCEPTIN ADDS WEIGHT. Well, that explains A LOT!! What's your experience? Please give me input on this. Been on Herceptin since '98 and NED. STABLE. I say THANK YOU GOD every single day without fail for this. But the added weight is interesting to me. More input please.

Sending loving happy energy to my soul sisters all, ANDI

[bailey]

Andrea - I was on Herceptin and did very well on it. I just started Tykerb and Xeloda and I hate it - first, not sure about the Tykerb and Herceptin as I thought the same as you but I'm hoping my Dr. just takes me off the xeloda - it has given me the worst headaches I've ever had although right now I am currently on my 7 day off of xeloda and no headaches. Also major diarhea which is awful, heartburn which I've finally gotten under control with Nexium or Prilosec and just doing research on the internet to alkalize my body, I am only getting the tingly in my feet from the hand and foot syndrome and it's sore - I really do not like these mixtures of pills. I was told that insurance would not cover Tykerb alone but only with the xeloda which I find strange - told this by my Onc. so if anyone has info. on that plse. let me know. I got a call from the Tykerb folks and she tells me I can do Tykerb alone and insurance will pay for it so I see my Onc next Wed. 6th and will discuss. I'm not happy on the mix at all - the headaches are major migraines and I can't live like that.
Any help from anyone would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bailey