Small Cell Lung Cancer: Let's connect

Thankyou for the feedback. The answer from the medical team is non-committal. That is partly why I posted as I was trying to see which drug, if any, is most likely the cause of the hand tremors. Plus I am hoping someone might have an idea what might be done during treatment to reduce the effect.

@klb72863, I'm tagging fellow members who have experience with small cell lung cancer, like @margot69 @bluelagoon @olgamarie @auntieoakley.

@popkorhn's husband had the same protocol as your friend: chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) plus immunotherapy (atezolizumab).

If atezolizumab is the culprit, there may be an alternative immunotherapy agent that could be used or something that could be used to reduce the symptom of tremors and to help her sleep.

Has your friend talked to their symptom management nurse about the tremors?

Hi Kelly, your friend is blessed to have you on her side through this. My brother was on this exact regimen, and with other health concerns as well. He was also extended stage with Mets all around his lungs and in his liver. He would have some tremors for about the first week after each treatment. When they dropped off the two chemotherapy drugs leaving only the tecentriq (atezolizumab). They didn’t happen anymore.
I won’t try to say that he has been side effect free, but he has had some quality time and he is two years past his diagnosis.

I have just started my second round of chemo. Cisplatin and Etoposide. My treatment yesterday was supposed to be a 6 hour treatment with Cisplatin first followed by Etoposide. When Etoposide was added, I had a severe reaction of strong back pain. Demerol, Dexamethosone, and later when I started flushing with heat, Benadryl were all added to the iv. A rest period to give time for the drugs, then Etoposide was started again with no issues. This happened on my first round too. When I awoke this am, I was very nauseous, and felt yukky all over. I did not want to eat, but cooked up some farina (cream of wheat). The more I moved and was physically active, the better I felt. I ate my breakfast even tho I was not hungry. I'm going to keep mild exercise in my 'tool kit' for when I don't feel good. Hopefully this is a tool for both of us. It's not a long trial, but did work this am. Blessings and good wishes for your journey. VLR

Hello- Are you taking daily anti-nausea medication? I had to because of cisplatin. That is some tough stuff and I don't think that I could have completed my course of treatment without Zofran.

I laud you for sticking with an eating program. Plenty of water (I timed mine a glass every hour and a half while I was awake. It really helped get the poisons flushed!

Have you been prescribed meds for any discomfort?

I am fluid restricted which makes it tough. Only 17oz on chemo days. 34oz on non-chemo days. I'm hopeful this restriction will be removed and soon. Anti-nausea drugs are added by iv to my chemo. Those are supposed to last 3 -4 days. I have pills which I have not started yet. PCP (Prochlorperazine 10mg. every 6 hours and Lorazepam .5mg once daily) The pharmacist said Lorazepam would cause drowsiness, does not actually help with nausea, but calms nervous system down. After her visit, I thought I'd just not use Lorazepam. I believe Lorazepam is the same class as Zofram. How often did you take Zofram? You said it helped? Did you take other drugs for nausea? If so I'd love to hear how you used them. Did you find that exercise helped? At least mild exercise?
I've just started my second round of chemo. Day 1 is done. Today is Chemo 2 & plus radiation, tomorrow is day 3, no radiation. The radiation worries me the most, although I do trust the doctor. Thank you for your input on the nausea drugs. VLR

I had chemo and radiation for small cell limited lung cancer
It is gone and now facing 2 weeks of preventative brain radiation. Anyone else had this radiation?

I was diagnosed in July 2021 with limited small cell. 5cm tumor in left chest and three nodes. I went through standard treatment and have been NED since. This coming 15th will be a year since chemotherapy was completed. I am suffering some radiation side effects but mostly mental pain.

Just waiting for it to return and living in three month increments, scans and repeat. I lost my ability to work and basically my livelihood. Two adult children live with me they never left home. I supported everyone until I got sick.

There are three small children here, one is mentally disabled. I have been unable to find peace, let alone have a silent moment for a thought.

There’s no where else for them to go. I centered my life around them so I am spouse less and friend less. They have no one too.

Life really sucks now.

Please try to take care of yourself! Also try to see the love you have for your grand children and others in your home.You are needed and surely loved by little ones!if possible get out of house occasionally for a walk.best of luck on your treatment!

I have sclc. Stage 3b limited. All nodes are involved although they did not find tumors elsewhere. It's my left lung so we are noting some heart damage from the chemo. My tumor is close to the throat so that area is being radiated. I'm getting pain upon swallowing. I have 2 more radiation treatments and 2 more chemo treatments. They will be offering me the brain radiation, although I think there are some concerns because of my age (almost 75). We haven't discussed the brain radiation, though right now I'm leaning towards not doing it. I will wait until I've heard the facts to make my decision. I hope that we both get an answer and that the person will indicate their age and why they did the brain radiation.
I'm wondering about your age. Thanks for the post. Blessings to you on this journey. VLR