CMF??

pajim...

I’m currently on the CMF protocol. I’m taking the Cytoxan by IV because the Insurance Company delayed their decision to long for me to take the pills. But on a 28 day cycle I would have taken one pill a day for 15 days.

I’m not diagnosed as Metastatic. I have Cancer in my chest wall behind the ILC Breast Cancer. They have just said they do not know if the breast tumor is connected.

CMF has been around for a long time I understand. But information on SE’s has been hard to find. My scalp hurts like it did when I lost my hair before. But after 3 Treatments I’m not bald yet. So far the worst has been the Neulasta SE’s.

I’d be glad to answer any questions

pajim..

I wish you great success with CMF! So far theSE’s have been bearable. It seems like the chemo can do a number on your Red and White blood cell production. You may have to have Neulasta. SE’s from Neulasta can vary from severe bone pain or none at all.

I’ve experienced nausea but it’s not been predictable. I can’t say 24 hours later the nausea starts. It has come out of the blue for me. I get pre meds while waiting on bloodwork results before chemo. It’s usually lots of Zofran and a Zyrtec. The fatigue is one of the hardest for me. But my age may be a big factor.

I’ve taken other’s advice and have begun to take Claritin every day. It does seem to work. I take Zofran and Compazine for nausea. And I’ve had to take Tramadol for the bone pain. But I may be just wimpy.

Hair loss seems to be iffy. Mine is thinning out, but I still have enough to style after 3 Treatments. So I might keep it. My eyelashes are falling out though. I haven’t had issues with numbness in fingers or toes yet. But that’s a possibility.

I take Prilosec for the stomach acid. But I haven’t needed the Imodium since I started the Claritin every day.

I keep Jello and pudding in the fridge. Boiled eggs are great when you need protein but don’t want to cook. I keep Peach Tea close because drinking water is like taking medicine to me. . I’m not big on canned soup but I’d make a big pot of hamburger soup and put in small containers for quick and hearty. Anything you think might taste good. Most everything begins to taste like cardboard. And weight loss isn’t good.

I’ve had 3 cycles of 21 days. Just had another Breast MRI to determine if it’s working. First results are not promising, so Monday December 30 will determine the next step.

I had a great Christmas and I’m still full of Hope

Hi pajim. If you search CMF we have 2 recent threads where we’ve been chatting. Sorry I’m not stage iv but here’s my input. I’m doing iv every other week per Sloan recommendation. Treatment 3 on Monday. No pre meds but lots of meds in iv and post. Although I’m prone to nausea meds are preventing it but I get some ses from the meds. First week dizzy, tired, bad heartburn. After second treatment I lost about 50 percent of my hair but I had a lot to lose so still can go without wig but afraid its going to get worse. Second week I feel pretty good. I take Pepsid, zofran, senakot mylanta as needed and lunesta for sleep. I have Compazine and Ativan as backup but try to avoid. I eliminated Aloxi in my iv, side effects were bad. I’m taking sone Claritin for Neulasta side effects but for me, not others, ses from Claritin worse than Neulasta.

Mac5 sorry it’s not working yet. Is the pill form supposed to be stronger? Maybe suggest every 2 weeks per Sloan if you can handle it?

pajim and JRNJ

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thank you for your best thoughts! Had a quiet Holiday but it was nice.

The general agreement is the tumor may/may not be measurably smaller, there is Radiographic evidence it is being affected. Both the tumor and the area in the chest wall are less reactive to the dye than before! I’m taking that as a positive and so is my MO. TBH I truly wasn’t expecting the tumor to “shrink” in size so a one cm size between 10 cm and 9 cm measured by calipers is acceptable to me. It’s more that the tumor is no longer growing and it is noticeably softer. And the chest wall area is being affected to the same degree. But the Neulasta is kicking my butt.

Has anyone experienced Liver issues with CMF? My blood tests indicate some possible Liver damage. Has anyone else experienced this? Is the damage permanent or does it resolve itself after the chemo is over? And just how long does it take for the Neulasta to work?

3 more cycles are recommended...I’m hanging in.

Thanks JRNJ. My WBC this week was 19.81 also very high. But Red Blood Cells are low and Hemoglobin and Hematocrit were also low. I think that’s more like anemia.

The Liver/GI blood test shows a low Bilirubin with a high ALT, ALK Phospate and high AST. Bilirubin comes from normal cell breakdown and is excreted through the Bile Duct (it’s what makes your poop brown.). The ALT, ALK, and ASK are all byproducts of cell renewal but are normally excreted by the Liver (I think that’s what I understand.)

I’m not certain Neulasta is supposed to affect the Liver. It’s supposed to help make new blood cells. The bone pain comes from the increased activity in the bone marrow. The largest most productive bone are is the pelvis. I’m not understanding though why the production of White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells don’t match.

So I’m thinking I’m the person who “A little knowledge is a dangerous think” was written for. My MO called about the Liver Test results to tell me she’s watching but not doing anything right now. I will call again to ask if I should be concerned about taking Meloxicam for arthritis and Atorvastatin for cholesterol while the numbers are bad. Both can damage your Liver.

Hope I didn’t confuse anyone else!

I didn't know there was this CMF forum started recently. Going forward, I'll add in my comments to this post. I had my fourth CMF treatment yesterday and nausea started today morning. Taking Nuelasta after 24 hrs via Onpro cartridge. So tomorrow is when the bone pain increases. I have Tramadol and celebrex to deal with this SE. For nausea I have been given Zofran for the day time and Compazine and olenzapine for the nights. I will try these tonight. They gave me IV Aloxi prior to CMF yesterday.

Hope everyone's SEs are manageable. I was exhausted on Days 3-5 of my previous cycles, but this time I am hoping to have more energy. Trying to be active and not sit around for long periods of time.

Now, after 4 cylces of CMF, waiting for the scan on 21st Jan. Being optimistic about the results but who knows?

JRNJ, thank you.

Today I have been having severe tingling and burning in my toes due to nueropathy. Some one suggested that Vicks Vaporub helps so my DD bought this and I have been applying. It helps for a short time and then the burning starts! For taxol I had chilled my feet and hands and I had no nueropathy. For CMF the nurses said it is not necessary. I wish I had continued cooling my hands and feet. Maybe I could have avoided this nueropathy SE.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Thanks, and yes the pain is real and somehow related to what is going on. I hate when Drs. minimize symptoms and pain. I had arm pain and side pain before surgery that I know was related to the cancer and they kept telling me not related. But it went away after surgery. I had irritable bowel syndrome from a 14 mm kidney stone that wasn't found for 2 years because IBS is not a symptom of kidney stones, but it certainly was for me. I hope they can help you!

Update on my scan results - the oncology nurse called to say that the PET scan shows mixed results with liver mets. Some lesions look like they have reduced actvity but there are new lesions with increased activity. Additionally there is diffuse bone marrow mets, which was not seen earlier. That's such a bummer!

I had a gut feeling that this chemo is not working, based on the consistent pain under my right ribs (where the liver is located) which seems to have gotten worse. Meeting with my MO early next week to see what she has to recommend next. No more CMF for me!

So far I have had 11 different chemo drugs and Halaven is the only one remaining. Did anyone here had this chemo drug? I will check if there is a Halaven forum . Good luck to all of you with CMF. Hope it works for you all.

S3K5, So sorry its not working. You're at MSK right? They'll find something for you, they are the best. I'm glad you are home resting instead of stressing about work. I have been off of work since 9/24. I thought about going back part time, but my job is too hard part time, they would dump too much responsibility on me. I'm lucky, I work for the State, so I have good benefits, and they won't/can't? fire me, for a while at least. I think a year. My boss is kind of supportive, but freaking because I was in charge of a lot. I'm enjoying being home with my kids, even though they are also driving me crazy, lol. And have plenty to do around the house to keep me busy. Trying to make lemonade out of lemons. I redid my daughters room with her. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best.

Pajim, good luck in the car!!