Carboplatin plus permetrexed

I had cisplatin & pemetrexed for four rounds spaced three weeks apart. The biggest side effects I had were mouth sores, food tasting different, and fatigue & nausea for 3 days post chemo. My hair became more dry and brittle and thinned a little but nothing drastic or noticeable to other people. There are cold caps available if you qualify and are concerned with losing your hair. There are two companies that Dignicap & Paxman. Contact your chemo center to see which is offered. You will have to go through the company directly to order the cap then will plug into the cooling machine during treatment. This needs to be started on your first treatment. If your chemo center does not offer either, there are companies that will send you ice pack caps, just good cool capping for cancer.
Sending prayers & hope on your journey❤️

@lmd1 I had four rounds of Carboplatin and Alimta (Pemetrexed) in 2018, concurrently with 33 rounds of radiation to my right upper chest. No hair loss or noticeable thinning.

My only issue was crashing Neutrophil levels. My record low was 300, while normal is around 1500-5000. Twice, they stopped the radiation for a week to allow those levels to recover.

Other than that, chemo wasn't bad. I took Dexamethasone before each round, and it was the first bag they hung. I usually had 2 slightly tired days afterward, but the 3rd day after was sleepier. Because I had chemo and radiation concurrently, I couldn't tell which was causing the tiredness.

I was also laid off the same day as my 3rd round of chemo, so I would consider that as my worst side effect! lol

I’ve had ten rounds of these same chemo drugs. I didn’t lose my hair but the texture changed and thinned a little bit. Most of the time the after effects were fatigue starting on days3-5. A couple times the nausea was pretty bad for a few days after. Just laid there in bed and got through it. Try eating small amounts of food. Even just a few soda crackers. Grape popsicles also helped. The tartness was good and sipping ginger ale through a straw helped too. Make sure you’re going to the bathroom- if you don’t it adds to nausea. The nausea meds they give you can be constipating. Use Senecot or Miralax if needed.,
Best wishes!

@lmd1, are you about to start this treatment?

As far as hair goes , I take a good multivitamin that contains Biotin which is good for hair and nails. My hairdresser says she sees a big difference since I started taking them. Hair coming in thicker.

Yes, I actually just finished my first treatment a couple of hours ago.
It’s been a roller coaster ride for me these past few months. I was on Tagrisso but scan in September/October showed lung tumor had started to grow. Biopsy did not show any change from my original diagnosis of EGFR deletion 19. My doctor encouraged me to try a trial and I did. Things looked great until my scan in January showed some growth again after the scan in early December showed a good amount of tumor shrinkage.
I am back on Tagrisso and will have 4 rounds total of this chemo and have scans scheduled for late March.
Taking one day at a time.

I’ve been taking multivitamin and additional biotin per suggestion from doctor. I was very fortunate to not lose hair on trial drugs. Hoping I have the same luck with this treatment. I lost hair in fall/winter of 2022; I pray I don’t have to endure that again.

@lmd1 , I’m sorry to hear that the trial wasn’t a long term solution for you. I’m sure that was disappointing, but try to focus on moving forward. I’m hoping that you do well on the chemo combination. Be sure to communicate with your team if you are experiencing any side effects. Hugs.

How is it going?

I had 4 rounds of Cisplatin and pemetrexed. I lost hair over the course, and the texture changed. I think I lost about 1/4th of my hair. If I had a knot I cut it out instead of brushing. I only washed it once a week- barely brushed it- Every time I washed and brushed it a lot fell out. Use a silk/satin pillowcase if you can I think that helps.

Good luck I hope you don't lose your hair.

The first infusion wasn’t too bad. I was extremely tired for the first week, had some nausea. I haven’t noticed too much hair loss. I only shampoo my hair two. times a week and I use a wide tooth comb and I have a short hair style.