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How important is rising Ca19-9 if CT is stable re: having surgery?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Jan 2 8:03am | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
Hi there, my husband is also stage IV and in Folfirinox. After 4 rounds they did scans and showed cancer was “stable” so the plan is to stay on it every other week. He is really struggling though. Prior to chemo the pain was excruciating and that’s how he was diagnosed but been on crazy pain meds and struggles with GI issues. Would love for him to have more “normal” days. Any suggestions for managing pain, diet, fatigue or general side effects?
Replies to "Hi there, my husband is also stage IV and in Folfirinox. After 4 rounds they did..."
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I'm so sorry your husband is dealing with all that! I am the wrong person to ask about GI problems and pain control, because right now I have neither issue. I would urge you to talk with your medical oncologist about possibly adjusting the dosage level of the Folfirinox. My first round was at 80 percent of typical level, and it was awful; I was really sick--nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, etc. For round 2 and beyond, the dosage was reduced to 60 percent, and chemo has gotten much easier, as I mentioned above. Also, does your husband have a palliative MD? At my clinic, patients are referred to palliative immediately upon diagnosis/staging, and the palliative doc handles symptom control. However your clinic does it, I hope you all can figure out some solutions to help him.