Cisplatin and etopiside

Hi Amandas I sorry to hear about your challenges……

I have been on my journey for over 26 years with 4 different cancers.

During the treatment for my 2 types of very rare, hard to treat T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma's I did have had a significant amount of Etoposide (but not Cisplatin)

This was part of my 6 cycles of very aggressive R-EPOCH = (Rituximab + Etoposide, Prednisone, Vincristine (Oncovin), Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin (Hydroxydaunomycin) in between December 2013 and April 2014……. 6 days/5 nights 24/7 on my 2 IV pumps for over 120hrs……. so over 750hrs over my 6 cycles and on the whole I had no real issues and the issues that did appear were all do-able.

The Constipation risk is always there during these treatments….. I was advised to take a minimum of 2 sachets of Laxido (Laxative) ever day I was on my chemo plus for 2-3 days after and continue with one sachet ever day on none treatment days….. this combined with a good balanced diet, upping my fibre intake and drinking a minim of 2 litres of water every day did the trick for me.

I was only bunged up on one occasion and this was fixed by having 8 sachets (an impact dose) of Laxido over 6 hours.

Skin issues are unfortunately rather normal….. our skin is very reactive to what goes on inside our body…… good moisturising and hydration can often help a lot.

You may want to post this in the Gall bladder cancer group as you may connect with others who are having the exact same treatment.

Hi Amanda

I had a few round of cisplatin and etopiside. My question would be are you drinking lots to help flush it out? This might help with the constipation too.

Those treatments gave me hair loss, tinnitus and shortness of breath.. Luckily it was only acute - including the tinnitus. Hopefully those symptoms you have will also be acute.

Good morning

FacrofBoe 

Thank you for your reply. Yes i am drinking lots of fluids and i use lots or remedies to try to remedy some of the side effects. I had my 4th chemo infusion yesterday i was there from 8am until 4 30. Exhausted when i got home. Was able to sleep then from 10pm until 4am. Im wide awake now and feeling bit shaky. 

I need to take 2 days worth of etoposide tablets now at home 2 in the morning 2 at night. I try to relax now these next two days as it tends to make me feel tired and heady. Do you mind me asking if you have any tips with this. 

Thanks Amanda x

So the reason you might feel more tired is because Etoposide also affects the bone marrow - which produces your red blood cells. 

I felt tired and noticeably out of breath from this. So much thay other people noticed I was out of breath when speaking.

Rest is probably very critical here as any efforts that result in exertion  will make you more tired and light headed. If you can eat leafy greens, rich in iron foods (basically those foods that help build your blood cells back) that would be a major suggestion for trying to alleviate this.