@nursed2075 I’ve been taking Tagrisso nice 11/30/23. My side effects are very minimal and I live life pretty much as I did before with the exception of the mental part of having this disease. I started having side effects about 2 weeks in. I had light nausea, rash in my face that looked like acne but in tins of places, diarrhea, and fatigue. The fatigue may have been from radiation more so than the Tag. My rash was cleared up by some prescription cream from my oncologist. The diarrhea wasn’t terrible. The nausea was also not too bad. I just sucked on mints a lot. All went away within 3-4 weeks. The diarrhea still returns occasionally but only lasts a day or so then goes away. I also experience some cracking of my skin on my finger tips and toes some. Aquafor and biotin really help that. I take biotin everyday. I feel lucky that I have this drug and pray daily that it works did me for a very long time. I have my second scan since surgery and taking Tag on May 9. 😊
Anyone on Tagrisso for non-small cell lung cancer?I was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer that was found by a fluke and I’m being told I have a mutation so they have put me on Tagrisso along with the chemo at some point, if these two things work radiation as well hopefully cure it. I could never imagined that I would’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer definitely not a candidate for that.
Hello, @tinae. Welcome to the Lung Cancer support group - a group I know you weren't eager to join. I'm glad you found us though to support you on this new journey.
Similarly, you can use the search for other questions you may have or topics you may be looking for in the future, such as NSCLC or stage IV, radiation, etc.
I can certainly imagine this diagnosis came as a surprise and shock. How are you doing with this news? Do you know what mutation you have?
Anyone on Tagrisso for non-small cell lung cancer?I was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer that was found by a fluke and I’m being told I have a mutation so they have put me on Tagrisso along with the chemo at some point, if these two things work radiation as well hopefully cure it. I could never imagined that I would’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer definitely not a candidate for that.
I’ve been on it since end of November 2023. My side effects are mild. Random diarrhea, fatigue, dry hair and nails, rash that antibiotic cream cleared up. The first month, I also had a dull, constant headache until I figured out I needed to up my water intake. I also had mild nausea but that’s gone too.
I’ve been on it since end of November 2023. My side effects are mild. Random diarrhea, fatigue, dry hair and nails, rash that antibiotic cream cleared up. The first month, I also had a dull, constant headache until I figured out I needed to up my water intake. I also had mild nausea but that’s gone too.
Hi @scared2. Treatment options can be overwhelming and are evolving quickly. This is why we all need good doctors that can recommend specific treatments for our types of cancer.
Targeted Therapies are oral medications that are specific to certain drivers of lung cancers. The meds edit the mutations for the genes to return them to 'normal', thus stopping the cancer growth. Your husband's doctors should run biomarker tests to determine if you qualify for a targeted therapy. The cancer types that do qualify are things like EGFR, KRAS, ALK, MEK, etc.
Chemo is hitting all the calls in the body in hopes of killing cancer cells. Targeted therapy is 'targeting' the DNA of the cells that are mutating out of control. It's amazing science, but it does not apply to all types of lung cancer.
When people refer to 'mets', they are talking about cancer that has metastasized to another part of the body. IE, my primary cancer and tumor is in my lung, but that cancer metastasized to my liver and lymph nodes. I have/had liver mets.
Try to get some sleep, it's important for the patient and caregiver too. I know that's easier said than done in some cases. Have you received information on what treatment he'll be having?
Hi franciekid,
I am taking a study drug which is targeted therapy for nsc IV. I also have the diarrhea occasionally, dry skin and some other minor side effects. It’s a small price to pay. Glad to read you are doing well. B W, Diane
Hello thiashafer,
I am on Tagrisso and do have hand and leg cramps off and on. I take a magnesium supplement everyday and I think it helps some but the cramps still do occur.
Been taking 80mg Tagrisso every day for 7 months. Stage 1b NSCLC. Tagrisso is a miracle drug. I have been cancer free since my surgery and chemo. I do have side effects from Tagrisso - frequent diarrhea, skin rash (now gone), nail splitting and changes to the texture of my hair. Annoying but manageable.
Hi franciekid,
I am taking a study drug which is targeted therapy for nsc IV. I also have the diarrhea occasionally, dry skin and some other minor side effects. It’s a small price to pay. Glad to read you are doing well. B W, Diane
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@nursed2075 I’ve been taking Tagrisso nice 11/30/23. My side effects are very minimal and I live life pretty much as I did before with the exception of the mental part of having this disease. I started having side effects about 2 weeks in. I had light nausea, rash in my face that looked like acne but in tins of places, diarrhea, and fatigue. The fatigue may have been from radiation more so than the Tag. My rash was cleared up by some prescription cream from my oncologist. The diarrhea wasn’t terrible. The nausea was also not too bad. I just sucked on mints a lot. All went away within 3-4 weeks. The diarrhea still returns occasionally but only lasts a day or so then goes away. I also experience some cracking of my skin on my finger tips and toes some. Aquafor and biotin really help that. I take biotin everyday. I feel lucky that I have this drug and pray daily that it works did me for a very long time. I have my second scan since surgery and taking Tag on May 9. 😊
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2 ReactionsHello, @tinae. Welcome to the Lung Cancer support group - a group I know you weren't eager to join. I'm glad you found us though to support you on this new journey.
I moved your question about the targeted therapy Tagrisso (osimertinib) for non-small cell lung cancer to this existing discussion:
- Has anyone taken the targeted therapy osimertinib (Tagrisso)?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-tab/
I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with other members easily who have experience with Tagrisso, like @dragonspark @scared2 @mikee2all @jannam @56899t52 @franciekid @thieschafer @dik27 @jwittig1955 and many more.
If you search for Tagrisso in the Lung Cancer group, you'll find additional discussions on different aspects of this therapy as well. See here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/?search=tagrisso&index=discussions
Similarly, you can use the search for other questions you may have or topics you may be looking for in the future, such as NSCLC or stage IV, radiation, etc.
I can certainly imagine this diagnosis came as a surprise and shock. How are you doing with this news? Do you know what mutation you have?
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1 ReactionAnyone on Tagrisso for non-small cell lung cancer?I was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer that was found by a fluke and I’m being told I have a mutation so they have put me on Tagrisso along with the chemo at some point, if these two things work radiation as well hopefully cure it. I could never imagined that I would’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer definitely not a candidate for that.
Yes, I was on it for a year and a half until it got too toxic for me and I had to go off. I was on only 40 mg.
You?
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1 ReactionAntibiotic cream, I'm going to try that.
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1 ReactionI’ve been on it since end of November 2023. My side effects are mild. Random diarrhea, fatigue, dry hair and nails, rash that antibiotic cream cleared up. The first month, I also had a dull, constant headache until I figured out I needed to up my water intake. I also had mild nausea but that’s gone too.
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2 ReactionsThe last couple of weeks he's been really tired. Is this normal after radiation finished in Nov.
Scared2
Thanks, Diane. You too - BW. Hope you stay well.
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1 ReactionHello thiashafer,
I am on Tagrisso and do have hand and leg cramps off and on. I take a magnesium supplement everyday and I think it helps some but the cramps still do occur.
Hi franciekid,
I am taking a study drug which is targeted therapy for nsc IV. I also have the diarrhea occasionally, dry skin and some other minor side effects. It’s a small price to pay. Glad to read you are doing well. B W, Diane