New Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
My 70-year-old husband received the news last week that some tissue samples from an EUS came back as cancerous. He has a complex medical history having had bile duct cancer in 2020, a liver transplant Feb 2021, Chronic Kidney Disease and alot of other things prior to that. Since he has transplant, he has frequent blood work including the CA 19-9 done quarterly as well as some scans. His CA 19-9 started to climb last year, nothing was showing up on imaging. In 2023 the CA 19-9 spiked to over 6,000 but then came back down within normal range. Well this time its different. Since July of last year its gone from 81 to now its over 10,000. CT Scan done today shows no masses on lungs. The MRI in March didn't show much either, but the most recent EUC did see some changes in the dilation of the pancreatic duct. We live in Cleveland, OH and get medical care at the Cleveland Clinic. Today we met with the surgeon and next Wednesday will be meeting with the oncology dr. But it sounds like the plan is chemo for 2-3 months. Repeat labs and scans to see if things have responded and if he's a candidate for surgery. We've got a long road ahead of us! That's for sure.
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It appears my husband is allergic to immodium. He tried it for diarrhea symptoms and had throat tightening. He was give Lomotil which helped but is also by prescription only. I was hoping he could have used immodium but afraid to try it again.
Do you use the compression gloves and socks while getting chemo?
For the diarrhea I took over the counter Imodium and was prescribed Dipheniatrop. I still take them once in a while. For the finger pain I stopped directly handling cool and frozen foods. The 1st 5 days after chemo its the worst. Oh ya, it effects your throat too! I drink room temperature water/drinks.
Thank you. I'm glad you're getting through it. Tomorrow is the big day - his 1st treatment. We have the EMLA gel to apply to the port site ahead of time and cover with a tegaderm dressing. I'm kind if a wreck about it all -- just praying it's not as bad as I fear.
Yes, do not forget the gel on the port. I just use handy plastic wrap after gel application. The side effects of my chemo was accumulative. I am great full for my partner's participation and support. I am sure he is of your support. Best of luck.
Thank you very helpful. I had Whipple in Feb.2024 with a ca19-9 of 1045.After surgery it went down to 88. I had 8 treatments of chemo from Sept. to Dec 11, 2024. Off chemo for about 7 months and now have ca19-9 of 940. Had a pet scan last week showed no tumor. My surgeon says no need for chemo. I'm worried about the ca19-9. The onco says I should go back to chemo .Have not decided what to do. Any ideas/ thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I am not a MD or oncologist. I have heard that normal CA19-9 is below 33 and values are not absolute indicators of cancer activity. I too would be concerned the CA19-9 levels. I personally do not trust chemo. It kills NK and Tcells. If it were me, I personally would get the alleged help of ivermectin and fendbendazole.
Hello @gary4321 and @mrgolfer326, there's a lot of information as well as misinformation circulating about ivermectin and its use as a treatment for cancer. It does not clear or cure cancer.
Ivermectin is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis), intestinal infection from threadworms (strongyloidiasis), and other kinds of worm infections. Ivermectin is an anthelmintic. It works by interfering with the nerve and muscle functions of worms, by paralyzing and killing them. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ivermectin-oral-route/description/drg-20064397)
Researchers are studying Ivermectin to see if it may be used as an anti-cancer drug and early studies show promise. Please note that this research is in the early stages (mice studies) and has not yet been tested in human trials. Ivermectin is not yet a proven standard treatment for cancer or other off-label diagnoses.
Thank you for the information. I am aware of the studies. The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is bleak. I am not waiting for big pharma to allow doctors to prescribe it in USA. There are too many other MDs prescribing it and the Stage IV testimonies with shrunken and disappeared tumors to ignore. I want to live. I have the right to TRY.
Thank you
Follow your oncologist & go back on chemo.