Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

hi @sblovasss - welcome to the lung cancer group on Mayo Connect. were you or a loved one recently diagnosed with lung cancer? I haven't had that drug regimen, but there are numerous threads on the site discussing them. if you use the search bar at the top of the page you can easily find them. here's one to get you started.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/carboplatin-plus-permetrexed/

I was on it for 4 cycles. The only reaction I had was a reemergence of rosacea. They give a lot of premeds that take care of potential nausea. I didn't lose any hair although I think some people do. It was much easier than I expected and I was 82 during treatment. Good luck.

I’m on Carbo and Pem right now plus Tagrisso for EGFR Exon 21, cycle 4 completed. I print out American Cancer Society side effects sheet to write down to discuss with doctor. Use a thermometer to check your temperature. For me, I do fine in the actual infusion. The premeds help but steroids make me hyper, talkative, and sleep less. One to two days after no steroids I feel bad, tired, some diarrhea and use Imodium and anti-naseau meds. But I typically pull out of this in a few days. Everyone is different. That is why writing down your symptoms can help you. You can call oncology if any worrisome symptoms come up. I also have a Palliative Care doctor and I discuss side effects with her as my oncologist doesn’t have as much time. I didn’t lose any hair from chemo, but exhaustion does happen. Hope this helps.

My husband was on it and it was horrendous he lost 50 lbs all of his hair and vitality.
He was strong and healthy.
I’m not giving you medical advice of course follow your Oncologist advice but looking back. I wish we had sought a trial instead. Now it’s too late and we’re being turned down for compassionate use of NVL 330 or her three from Nuvalent and Daiichi.

@artistrose
Thank you so much, yes I know everyone is different, and I definitely keep that in mind. Do you or did you use a blow dryer or curling iron on your hair st all? If so how did that work out. Prayers for you on your journey 🙏

@fightingbluehen69
I am so sorry to hear this! Prayers to your husband and also to you. As you are going thru this journey with him.
I did a trial (Divarasib) at the start of my journey. 8 weeks on it. It worked great. I thank the lord. Then I had surgery. Now on to Chemo, then back to the trail for up to 3 years. ( Divarasib)

@sblovasss I understand your concerns about your hair. I did blow dry my hair as usual. My hair naturally curls so didn’t use curler or flat iron, so it may be trial and error for you. Interestingly, I went off Chemo for 3 months but was still on my targeted medication Tagrisso. During this time I lost a lot of hair but it was thinning, rather than bald spots. I had thick hair so that helped. I lost hair for about 3 months and then suddenly it stopped! I’ve heard from other patients similar stories. Also, people with straight hair getting curly/wirery hair. Today my husband told me my hair looks more brown and less grey! I’ve heard this from other patients too. However, this was all related to Tagrisso, not Chemo. Just saying the hair thing can be an adventure. But, it seems to me it is the chemo treatment for breast cancer women lose their hair, but not so for lung cancer chemo. The meds are different. Hope this helps. - Rose

Hello! My husband was on carboplatin, pemetrexed (Alimta) and also Keytruda for 4 cycles before surgery. He was extremely tired and slept a lot. He also had alternating diarrhea. He never had nausea, vomiting or hair loss. He does complain of being cold often when we are roasting here in central Florida. No weight loss and pretty normal appetite. He used to say, they are injecting water!

I will add that after surgery he was prescribed and received 7 rounds of Keytruda alone. Between rounds 6 and 7 his PET scan began to show progression. So now he is on standard second line Tx with CYRAMZA and Taxotere. Only one dose so far but some side effects. We can talk about that later if needed. Our very best wishes to you!

Nausea not so much but I look the meds for it and drank lots ginger tea. Lost all my hair. My hair has always grown extremely fast so that's probably the reason. Extreme fatigue. I slept all day. And suffered hot and cold flashes non stop. Do set the AC to 70, had a fan and blankets in my chair and alternated between.
I'm constipated once otherwise it was diarrhea. Didn't feel like eating anything because everything tasted like a tin can

I had 6 cycles and number 6 was brutal

I used a blow dryer and flat iron. I also had my hair colored and had a keritan trestment during chemo. I waited until after thev2nd cycle because I was told that's when most people who do lose hair notice it. But i have very thick strong hair.