Adenocarcinoma - newly diagnosed

You appear to be on a lower dosage than I am or Laurab25 who is also on 900mg/day. I started with 300mg/first day, 600mg/second day and then 900mg in continuation.

I am a long way from 5 months, and they told me it could last 6 months and I don't think they are telling me everything. I woke up this morning and when I tried to get out of bed I had severe pain, I didn't know if I would be able to get out of bed. It felt like a tight belt around the chest and then a rib jabbing into the flesh going front to back. It is better once I get up, but I was wondering if I should go to ER. I don't want to take Tylenol because at this point it would be long term use and that is not good for one.

Yes I only started at 75 mg, and increased dosage myself to 150, however today it’s happening again. I don’t think these smaller doses are doing it for me but I think the doctors want to start small and work your way up to the higher dose and fingers crossed by the time you get there the nerves have regenerated. I don’t know that, just guessing. I’m sure I’ll be taking three 75 mg pills tomorrow. I’ll catch up to you and Laura in no time if this keeps happening.

"...increased dosage on my own". That is a surprising comment. Where is your doctor in all of this? Did your doctor tell you to increase quantity on your own? Gabapentin is considered a "controlled substance" by my pharmacy - which means they would not refill until the very end of my prescription quantity. Quantity prescribed is also controlled by my insurance company. So if your doctor has prescribed a certain quantity - that will be tied to a certain date - and you will run out before it is time to renew. Pain after surgery is a discussion to have with your doctor.

Hi folks! Just recently finished 7weeks of radiation and 7chemo treatments. I'm having some crabby side effects, I have some neuropathy on left foot and fingertips. Also food or liquid feeling stuck going down esophagus....a general feeling of fatigue and malaise and some mouth sores. Also having frequent nose bleeds. Anyone else with side effects similar? Seeing oncologist today... just curious about others?

Hi Sandy,
I just rent through six weeks and six sessions. I know exactly what your talking about . Especially the stuck in the throat. While this hasn’t completely made it better it has helped. My Oncologist prescribed me “Miracle mouth wash “. It is lidocaine, Benadryl and melox. If they tell you they lidocaine is on National back order call other Pharmacies. I get mine at Walgreens. It will help. Also for the mouth sores. Rinse with baking soda, salt and warm water several times a day. I’m just getting over mine. The pain in my chest (esophagus) is what is getting me. I can swallow but when it gets to my esophagus it hurts so bad that it’s not worth it. I’m going in on my second week of getting fluids. I hope this helped God Bless

Donna

Hi Donna...thanks for your feedback. Yes it does help! Glad to know I'm not alone, but sad you are going through it too 🙁 I did go out and buy some Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash which really does help and the sores seem to be less aggravating..I also used the baking soda, salt & warm water which also helped. Yes, the pain in the chest is quite scary. I have to be concious of every single thing I put in my mouth, including fluids. I did buy some Ensure Max in chocolate, and that does help a lot, I just drink it very slowly. I will ask my Onco today about your "miracle mouth wash" as well. But it really hurts when food and/or fluid gets "stuck" in the esaphagus...not fun! I'm supposed to have a month off for my body to somewhat heal, so I hope it does. Then get a CT scan to see if the tumor and the lymph node (in the mediastinum area in back of esaphagus) shrunk. I was hoping for robotic surgery to remove everything, but I'm no longer optimistic about that. My Oncologist is already talking about 1 year of adjuvent immunotherapy with Imfinzi. Then what? Don't know but this is a really scary time.

Thanks again...hugs your way
Sandy

Oh my!! You are going through the exact same thing as me. I have stage 3B lung cancer that has also spread to same area. My tumor is inoperable and they started out saying 35 radiation and 7 chemotherapy treatments. I was really having a difficult time by the 27th radiation. They are also making wait until the first week of August for another PET scan. I was told that immunotherapy was my only option. I forgot to mention that I had hiatal hernia repair about 4 years ago. I’m afraid that is completely fried. I hate that they won’t tell you anything until they do the next PET. But like you I feel like I already know the answer. With the side effects from this I’m not sure I want to go through any more. I’m still waiting on my Rheumatologist to give his ok. Keep us updated.

Yes, they also said mine was IIIB...but I'm 77 years old, so I think that's part of it as well as the degree of difficulty getting at the lymph nodes. The radiation was not easy, but I think the chemo was worse...at the 6th week. What a mess I was..it made me so sick with nausea, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue. But the last one was not so bad as they upped the anti-nausea med. They also put me on Omeprazole 40mg and Sucralfate for the "acid reflux". Personally, I don't think it does much, but I will finish taking it. I truly believe that the surgery is not an option at this point, so not sure what the immunotherapy will do other than buy a little time. I did look up the side effects of Imfinzi - not pretty 🙁

Anyway, you keep us posted as well. Sending hugs..
Sandy

I have lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed September 2022 and have had different chemo therapies and Keytruda. I feel as you do, tired and sick. Last week was especially bad as I took levofloxacin along with the chemotherapy for suspected pneumonia. Not doing that again. Keep your spirits up. I guess we just have to be patient. I hope you feel better soon. Diane