Started Gemcitabine infusion yesterday.

Posted by valerina30 @valerina30, Jun 2 7:28am

Hi 65/F stage 4 unresectable but contained pancreatic cancer. Started year ago went thru folinex ,had to stop that couple weeks short because it gave me colitis. Did radation. So couple weeks ago I was on chemo pills xelda if I spelled that right. Did 5 an half days ended yo in ER with horrible stomach pain that didn’t stop no matter what I took. So that was 2 weeks ago. So last resort doc wants me try low dose of Gemcitabine. Did it yesterday. By late evening horrible gas pains an gas. This morning horrible stomach pains again just like other chemo. This is only my first time taking this. He want 1x week for 3 weeks then 1 week off. I don’t think I can do it. Plus it gives me chest pain in middle of chest like before. Anyone else go thru this? Should I not do anymore. Thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

rosebella | @rosebella | Jun 16 10:01am

In reply to @valerina30 "@mookiehouston hi I did go for 2and opinion at MDA Houston. They couldn’t do anything for..." + (show)

@valerina30 My spouse's Oncologist discussed Optune Pax. I am interested in your experience. Did you have any issues with insurance coverage? How are you adjusting to wesring it 12 hrs/day? Thank you

deniselb3 | @deniselb3 | Jun 16 10:22am

In reply to @valerina30 "@jak365 unfortunately I am not a canadate right now." + (show)

@valerina30
Why are you not a candidate?

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 16 3:02pm

They said it was for stage 4 with metastasis and certain mutations. I’m stage 3 no spread but it’s contained in pancreas and I have no mutations.

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 16 3:09pm

In reply to @rosebella "@valerina30 My spouse's Oncologist discussed Optune Pax. I am interested in your experience. Did you have..." + (show)

@rosebella I have been on it for 1 and half months so far. I wear till July 29. 3 months. It can be tiring an annoying to carry the bag around for 12 hours a day. At times it’s uncomfortable I think because I wear it around my torso and I don’t have much meat on my bones, but for most part I tolerate it ok. No problem sleeping, but I can’t wear it at bedtime because if the alarm goes off to like chg battery or something I won’t hear it so I put it on real early in morning till my 12 hours is up. Also it suppose to work better with chemo so I’m doing a little of that too. So when my 3 months are up I guess I’ll get a cat scan and see.

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 16 3:13pm

In reply to @mookiehouston "@valerina30 I've heard of the optune pax. Would very much appreciate you keeping me informed on..." + (show)

@mookiehouston hi, I’ve been on the optune pax for about a month an half so far. I got to wear for 12 hours a day for 3 months along with chemo. So after I’m done 3 months I’ll get a car scan and hope for the best. Good luck to you and your husband.

rosebella | @rosebella | Jun 16 6:56pm

In reply to @valerina30 "@rosebella I have been on it for 1 and half months so far. I wear till..." + (show)

@valerina30 Thank you for sharing your experience. Did you have any issues with insurance coverage?

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 17 7:21pm

In reply to @rosebella "@valerina30 Thank you for sharing your experience. Did you have any issues with insurance coverage?" + (show)

@rosebella hi no Medicare paid 100%. And these are a rental like 15000 month I think

rosebella | @rosebella | Jun 18 9:12am

In reply to @valerina30 "@rosebella hi no Medicare paid 100%. And these are a rental like 15000 month I think" + (show)

@valerina30 Thank you. We don’t have Medicare yet. Our Insurance just approved, but we'll have to pay deductible up to catastrophic cap if he does use this device. Initially they denied the device but reversed on appeal. I hope you have success with this new therapy. A month ago Novocure told me that 71 patients were using it as of 31 March (it was only just FDA approved in Feb).

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 18 9:29am

In reply to @rosebella "@valerina30 Thank you. We don’t have Medicare yet. Our Insurance just approved, but we'll have to..." + (show)

@rosebella when I was getting set up for this optione pax they told me to tell them I would need financial assistants. She said they can’t ask you but if you tell them they will take care of it for you. I would ask about that. And maybe tell a social worker to, there’s help out there but you gotta look. Let me know how you make out. I’m in NJ

valerina30 | @valerina30 | Jun 18 10:06am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@valerina30, how are you doing? Any update with restaging and treatment options?" + (show)

@colleenyoung Hi I’m getting restaged tommrow. I’m not a elidgble for the new pill because it’s for stage 4 an meteasas. I’m stage 3 no spread . But we will see after tomorrow

View More Return to first page

Please sign in or register to post a reply.