Anyone on Gemcitabine with Abraxane? How long? Effective?

My brother (diagnosed Stage IV in August of 2020) had been on Gem/Abraxane for nearly a full year - an every two week cycle. It was very effective at lowering his CA 19-9 ....but it took a tremendous toll on him. The side effects were brutal - so much more so than the Folfirinox that he took as a beginning treatment. While his numbers went down, so did his quality of life. He had more bad days than good within that two week cycle. He endured all of it only to have his numbers start to creep up. The standard of care (at least at the comprehensive cancer center where he receives his treatment) after Gem/Abrax is Napoli - Nanoliposomal irinotecan with flouoroucil and folonic acid. My brother has received three treatments of this so far and the side effects are fewer. The most troubling for him is fatigue, but it's only for a few days and on those days he chooses to simply read, watch tv and give in to naps if need be. We've talked to others who have endured Gem/Abrax much better than Folfirinox or other treatments so I think it just goes to show that everyone is so unique and different and what happens to one may or may not happen to another. I wish you the best and pray that you have the support than keeps you hopeful and enjoying each day!

For my wife, folfirinox was a walk in the park compared to GAC. Of course folfirinox was at the beginning and before surgery so she was much healthier and able to tolerate much more abuse. Everyone's reacts differently.

My brother (diagnosed Stage IV in August of 2020) had been on Gem/Abraxane for nearly a full year - an every two week cycle. It was very effective at lowering his CA 19-9 ....but it took a tremendous toll on him. The side effects were brutal - so much more so than the Folfirinox that he took as a beginning treatment. While his numbers went down, so did his quality of life. He had more bad days than good within that two week cycle. He endured all of it only to have his numbers start to creep up. The standard of care (at least at the comprehensive cancer center where he receives his treatment) after Gem/Abrax is Napoli - Nanoliposomal irinotecan with flouoroucil and folonic acid. My brother has received three treatments of this so far and the side effects are fewer. The most troubling for him is fatigue, but it's only for a few days and on those days he chooses to simply read, watch tv and give in to naps if need be. We've talked to others who have endured Gem/Abrax much better than Folfirinox or other treatments so I think it just goes to show that everyone is so unique and different and what happens to one may or may not happen to another. I wish you the best and pray that you have the support than keeps you hopeful and enjoying each day!

In addition to @lfitz, members @chemobile @colorafo19 @beachdog @dugancarol also have experience with Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) plus Gemzar (gemcitabine) and can share more.

How are you feeling, Helen?

Hi, I was sick and nauseous most of the time while I was on Folfirinox. I have had my 2nd session of the gem/abraxane today. Don't know if it is still too early, but I did not have any side effects since I've started. Just a little bit of body aches, but nothing serious.
My WBC was a bit low last week, so I had to skip a session. Going every 7th day and will scan in October.
I pray and believe that it will have a positive effect on the markers and the tumor size.
All of the best to you and your husband, believe and stay strong
Regards
Helena

Hi, I was sick and nauseous most of the time while I was on Folfirinox. I have had my 2nd session of the gem/abraxane today. Don't know if it is still too early, but I did not have any side effects since I've started. Just a little bit of body aches, but nothing serious.
My WBC was a bit low last week, so I had to skip a session. Going every 7th day and will scan in October.
I pray and believe that it will have a positive effect on the markers and the tumor size.
All of the best to you and your husband, believe and stay strong
Regards
Helena

My husband did 4 months of Folfirinox and is now in his 2nd month of gemcitibine and abraxane. He tolerated the Folfirinox much better than this chemo regimen. It has been brutal. No quality of life. Sleeps most of the time. No energy. Can’t eat. Barely drinks. Tumor marker came down from 377 to 204 after the first month. Hopeful it will drop even more after the second month and imaging will also show a decrease in tumor size. If it doesn’t, he will discontinue treatment. I hope you tolerate the treatment. Quality of life is everything at this point.