Anyone on Gemcitabine with Abraxane? How long? Effective?

@pam79, are you and your sister still at Mayo Clinic? In Rochester? There are many things to do. I encourage you to check out the Cancer Education Center if you haven't already in the lobby of the Gonda building. Here's more information:
- General https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/
- Classes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/tab/offerings/#ch-tab-navigation
They have kind people to greet you and offer support where you may need it.

Be sure to also stop in to Concierge Services in Mayo Building (lobby level, in the International Center)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
They can tell you more about what is going on in Rochester, Mayo Clinic, and make recommendations from activities to restaurants to quiet places to visit to art tours and more.

How is she doing on radiation? How are YOU doing?

My husband has stage IV pancreatic cancer with Mets to his liver. He had four cycles of Folfirinox with progression of his cancer. He was switched to gemcitabine and abraxane. He has had three doses so far. Does anyone else get fevers for a few days after their treatment?

@shscott My father had the same treatments. The Gem/Abrax took a bit of a toll on him, much more than the Folfirinox did. He would be super weak after treatments- but I do not recall any fevers.

@ro0891
Thank you for your response. He has been hospitalized 24 days in the past 6 weeks with fevers. His port was removed and cultured negative. The biliary stent was replaced. I’m thinking it’s the chemo causing fever but not sure.

@shscott i’ve had four rounds of gem/abrax with heavy fatigue but no fever. Lost all my hair and have nerapothy fingers and toes are numb but had good CAT results 35% shrinkage liver lesions and stomach lesions

@shscott Yes I was on gemcitabine and abraxane and got fevers for few days after treatment. I took Tylenol every 6 hours to help keep the fever in check. It mainly worked but I would still get cold and bundle up and that would raise my temps again, so I had to drink cool drinks and unbundle to get the temp down.

I have been on abraxane & gemcitabine since July 29.2022. Had a 4-month break and last week had my 81st treatment with them. Sometimes I get cold like martyp01 and bundle up then get hot but not a real fever. My CT scans every 3 months have seen the tumors in my lungs shrink as well as on my adrenal gland. I have been stable for many months but my CA19-9 rises to the 90s and falls to the low 40s. I cannot seem to get it (CA19-9) back within normal range so I could have a few months without it again. To gsterle: I have had the hair loss (it did start to return during my 4-month break. I also have neuropathy to my fingers, hands, toes & feet. Acupuncture helped some but I really started too late & now have DVTs (blood clots) in 4 places in my right leg so I am off acupuncture and on Eliquis for 3 months minimum!

@shscott
I've been on gemcitabine and abraxane, biweekly, for the past two months, 4 treatments so far. Fatigue is the biggest of my issues, maybe a little joint pain. No fever. Good luck.

@joealp1

Ditto. Biweekly, 4 treatments so far. Joint pain, especially in hips. Fatigue is a biggie, no fever, hair is mostly gone. I'm icing hands and feet during abraxane and so far minimal neuropathy. Generally fatigue and joint pain are better by a day into week 2 each time. CA19-9 has been steady, CT next week - we'll see if this is helping. Yes, good luck to all.