Encorafenib and cetuximab

  • 1 reply
  • 36 subscribers
  • 74 views

My husband has recently started treatment using the above drugs.   He is struggling with acute muscle pain throughout his body and headaches.  We’ve been advised to take paracetamol but sadly it’s not enough.  He’s not sleeping well which is adding to the situation.  Do you know of any product / supplement he can take to help with the pain that will not impact on his treatment.   Thank you 

  • Hi Smalls

    My name is Gemma and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am sorry to read that your husband is having side effects from Encorafenib and cetuximab.

    This treatment can cause pain in your muscles or joints. If paracetamol is not helping, we would always strongly advise contacting your clinical team or the 24-hour cancer treatment contact numbers for the hospital. If you feel unwell or need advice, you can call at any time of the day or night.

    It may be that the consultant needs to reduce the dosage of the targeted therapies or that your husband would benefit from a short break to recover from his symptoms.

    I am also aware that it is Friday, and it might not be possible to contact these teams easily.

    NHS 111 is also a useful number to call and they can signpost you to the appropriate department.

    We would also advise speaking to his medical team before starting any supplements or products to help this situation.

    These symptoms sound quite severe and need medical attention, if you have more questions before taking these steps, please ring us on 0800 808 0000, there are Macmillan Nurses available to assist you 8-8 every day, it might be easier to talk to someone so they can gauge the severity of the situation for you before the weekend.

    Please do contact us if you need further assistance.

    Gemma

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.  

    Ref  GeS/RH