Stage IV lung cancer, what treatments work for you?

@schmeeckle64- You are an inspiration!!! What I failed to understand at the beginning of my journey was that exercise is the key ingredient to living under very difficult situations, be it weights, walking, gardening, kids, etc. Thank you for sharing your story.

I might have join wrong group. This one looks more like me. In March I was diagnosed with stage 4 Malignant Neoplasm Adenocarcinoma of the lung which is Non curable. Every 21 days I get Carboplatin, Pembrolizumab and Pemetrexed. The Last scan (2nd) have nodules same and the massive tumor has stayed the same. First scan the tumor shrunk in half. I do get sick 8-10 days after each treatment and should be going back tomorrow but am skipping this next treatment to regroup. Was really sick last time and need time to feel ready for the next dose so I’ve asked to take this one off which Mayo Dr agreed.

@richcolleen- Welcome again! You have made the right choice to protect your health. Boy do we have so much to contend with, lung cancer is so burdensome, so many decisions and trying to feel as well as can be. I hope that you pop right back up after your rest and get back to it! How are you feeling right now?

Got some strength back and energy. Back to treatments the 23rd of September. Then I’m shot a lot.

@richcolleen Colleen, I am so pleased that you have some of your strength back. What do you mean that you are "shot a lot?"

When on chemo I lose my energy.

@richcolleen- Of course! I do not know anyone who has said that they didn't get tired when having chemo. Thank you for clarifying this

Hello richcoleen: I have stage 4 Adenocarcinoma of the lung.. not sure of the Malignant Neoplasm that you mentioned. However, I have been On The CARBOplatin and Premetrexed for my first 5 chemo treatments and am now on just the Premetrexed which they are calling chemo maintenance.. No real side effects for me except thinning of the hair. It is shrinking my tumours for the most part... some of the tumours are staying the same.. just thought I would let you know I am not having the side effects.. Did you have any type of mutations? I am showing no mutations at this point but just went to London Ontario in Canada to have further testing of my tissue done through a clinical trial.. where they will do further testings that may show mutations that do not currently show up?? I saw Dr Welch in the link I just put in this email.. also it describes a bit of the Clinical Trial Called the OCTANE study.

Has anyone added any of these chemo pills to the regiment? Xelota, Temozolomide, Packitaxel.

My dad with NCSLC stage IV, keytruda has been doing a great job but for his recent diagnose LMD (leptomeningeal mets) doctor suggested to take any of these pills. Based on my reading there are good results when its taken by patients with LMD and breast cancer. Was there any study for Lung cancer? Which of these three would work better for NCSLC? Xelota, Temozolomide, Packitaxel.

Hi @ina3, I moved your message to this existing discussion about treatment options for stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. @janlanderz @richcolleen @schmeeckle64 and @merpreb may have some thoughts or experiences with Xeloda, Paclitaxel, and/or Temozolomide.

Ina, would he take these drugs in addition to Keytruda? Are you having to decide which one?