Gemzar Cisplatin

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Mandy1313
Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
edited February 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My friend has been started on dose dense Gemzar (Gemcitabine) and Cisplatin.  If any of you have been on these chemos, I'd be most appreciative if you could tell me how you handled the side effects (and what side effects you found the worst).

Thanks and hugs to all.

Mandy

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited September 2012

    I looked up the side effects and what she could expect on line and I have gone over some of it with her .  She is an older woman with a cancer that was stage 4 at diagnosis.  She is very hopeful that the chemo will help her. She has family who will be able to be with her and help her while she is on chemo.  

    But if any of you have had this chemo combo, I'd be most appreciative for your inside stories and what you found worked and/or did not work for the side effects.

    Hugs.

    Mandy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    That's the chemo combination I am to have as soon as I heal from surgery. I'd like to know what to expect also.

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  • capburke
    capburke Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2012

    Hello - I had the combo last fall for my 2nd recurrence of BC in chest and neck lymphs.  Mine was a weekly dose and since my veins were already shot from 1st chemo I had a port installed.  I had to have the first 2 sessions without the port and I was in a lot of arm pain where the IV went in.  It took 4 hours to deliver the dose because the nurse had to keep slowing down the drip. I was near tears from the burning in my arm.  Definitely recommend a port. 

    Once the port was in though it was tolerable.  Hair loss of course.  Weird taste in my mouth but not much nausea.  Tired but still able to get up and take care of my kids every morning.  

    Best of luck to your friend.  

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  • capburke
    capburke Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2012

    You also asked about its efficacy--for me the swollen nodes were gone in a couple of treatments and I had a clear PET scan in December 2011.  However I found a new swollen lymph in neck in January.  PET showed 5 spots in neck and chest.  Decided on radiation and Xeloda combo and  June PET was clear - no signs of enlarged lymphs right now.  Hoping to get into NeuVax vaccine trial next month.

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited September 2012

    Capburke!  Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Gemzer/Cisplatin.  Glad that the Xeloda and rads did the trick for you.  My friend's onc put a port in before her tx so that part is taken care of, but that was a good tip.  

    Veggy:  good luck with your treatment and hope all goes well for you.  Are you by any chance a vegetarian like I am?

    Hugs, Mandy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    No. VEGG are my initials. Quite a few others asked me the same question.

    I had a port the first time I had breast cancer in 2009. I hated it and made them take it out soon after my treatments were finished. Now I'll probably need another one. I know all the pro's and con's but I still dread the thought.

    Hugs for you and your friend.

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited September 2012

    Hi veggy!

    Sorry about my assumption about your initials.  Let me know how you do when you start the new chemo.

    Hugs

    Mandy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    Mandy,

    When does your friend start her chemo? I wish the best for her. 

    When I went through this the first time, I appreciated cards that made me laugh. I would keep them out where I could grab it if I needed a smile. 

    Hugs!

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for your thoughts veggy.  My friend started the Gemzar/Cisplatin last Friday.  She has a second dose this Friday and then waits two weeks for the next dose.  She has a very positive outlook which is helping her with this.

    Hugz to all.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited April 2015

    Bumping up an old thread as I will be starting this chemo. Any information on effeciecy and SE appreciated.

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  • Parrynd1
    Parrynd1 Member Posts: 408
    edited February 2019

    Hello 👋🏼

    My first infusion with Gem/Cis was today. I have extensive mets and am hoping like heck this combo works! I’ve read the SE’s, but want to know how everyone is feeling so far? Was there an infusion # where you felt way worse than previously? What’s the SE’s you all have had so far and when did you notice them? If there was progression how soon did you see it? I’ve been chemo resistant to every chemo so far.

    My first reflective thoughts about it is that I had to go pee so much today. How am I suppose to be hungry and drinking as much water to keep kidney health up. Also, I did notice less pain from the mets...anyone else feel this so soon

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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