Anyone on Gemcitabine with Abraxane? How long? Effective?

Posted by helenar @helenar, Aug 17, 2022

Hi, I'm Helena from South Africa. I have been diagnosed with PC, stage 4, in March. Tumour between body and tail and with one lesion on my liver.
I have been on Folfirinox for 3months, but it had no effect, allthough my markers came down from 3091 to 357, the tumour increased in size and there is another lesion on my liver.
I have started Gemcitabine with Abraxane.
Has anyone been on Gemcitabine/Abraxane?
If so, how long and how effective is this treatment?

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beachdog | @beachdog | Sep 2, 2022

In reply to @helenar "Hi, did your wife had the operation? And what stage was she?" + (show)

She had distal pancreatectomy which also took the spleen, gall bladder, left adrenal and 23 lymph nodes after 9 folfirinox and 5 days of SBRT photon radiation . She was 100% clear margins and ned for 10 months. It came back as a golf ball sized tumor on the left ovary.

helenar | @helenar | Sep 1, 2022

In reply to @woodlanddsm "My brother (diagnosed Stage IV in August of 2020) had been on Gem/Abraxane for nearly a..." + (show)

Hi, I see many patients saying that they get Gem/Abraxane on a 2 week cycle? I get chemo sessions every 7th day, for 3 sessions (day 1, day 8, day 15), then a week rest, and then 3 sessions, etc.

helenar | @helenar | Sep 1, 2022

In reply to @beachdog "For my wife, folfirinox was a walk in the park compared to GAC. Of course folfirinox..." + (show)

Hi, did your wife had the operation? And what stage was she?

beachdog | @beachdog | Aug 31, 2022

In reply to @woodlanddsm "My brother (diagnosed Stage IV in August of 2020) had been on Gem/Abraxane for nearly a..." + (show)

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.

woodlanddsm | @woodlanddsm | Aug 31, 2022

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!

myacim | @myacim | Aug 27, 2022

Hello, All~
My husband was diagnosed in May and has now been through two rounds of Gemcitabine /Abraxane. The first round was very rough and he was very weak by the end of it. They lowered the dose by 10% for round 2 and that helped a lot. But then he had a bleeding ulcer that sent him to the hospital twice with low hemoglobin (Hb). How much that accounted for his weakness we don't know for sure. He has now had 3 weeks off chemo and if Hb is stable, will start round 3 next week. The good news is that his 19-9 has dropped from 139 to 71. We are grateful it was caught early and are hoping that the Gem/Abrax won't be as bad without the bleeding ulcer sapping his strength.
Blessing to you all - holding you in light and love.
Peg

bede | @bede | Aug 27, 2022

Good luck. Praying for you

helenar | @helenar | Aug 26, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "In addition to @lfitz, members @chemobile @colorafo19 @beachdog @dugancarol also have experience with Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) plus..." + (show)

Hi all
I had my 3rd session yesterday, WBC was still low at 1100, but we decided to proceed with the session. I'm still feeling good, no nasty side effects, except for some body ache and every now and then a headache, but all still manageable
I'm staying positive, keep on praying and holding on to God, I do believe that He will keep His healing hand over all of us. Miracles still DO happen and nothing is impossible.
I have a rest week and will be starting with the 2nd round of sessions on the 8th of September
I hope all of you are still doing good, I will keep you all in my prayers.
Happy spring day - it's around the corner 🙂
Kind regards
Helena

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 25, 2022

In reply to @helenar "Hi, I was sick and nauseous most of the time while I was on Folfirinox. I..." + (show)

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?

lfitz | @lfitz | Aug 18, 2022

In reply to @helenar "Hi, I was sick and nauseous most of the time while I was on Folfirinox. I..." + (show)

I hope you continue to feel well and this treatment will work well for you. I read another post about a lady who is stage IV and has been doing well for 5 years. Truly amazing and inspiring!