Treatment, symptoms & side effects
A forum to focus on treatment related issues, symptoms and side effects from treatment.
223 topics in this forum
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Folfrinox and type 1 diabetes
by Sueba- 3 replies
- 8.1k views
Hi all Well Mick starts up again on chemo on Friday (Folfrinox), but this time we have an added worry! He had the Whipples on Feb 18th and is now fit to start adjuvant chemo, but due to having his whole pancreas removed he is newly diabetic. Hes doing quite well with the insulin although now he is eating a bit more his sugars tend to run a bit on the high side. I was wondering if anyone on here has had any experience on Folfrinox who is diabetic? We know the 5 days on steroids will affect his blood sugars and we are wondering how to manage it when it is actually being infused. Our diabetic consultant suggests eating as often as possible but he too doesn't really know h…
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Some good news at last!
by karen17- 5 replies
- 8.7k views
Hi all, Just wanted to share some good news for a change. Following 7 cycles of Folfirinox we received the much welcome news today that my husbands scan has showed a reduction of the primary tumour in the pancreas and further reduction to the liver secondaries with some now not visable on the scan at all! He remains well. Still working full time, exercising, no weight loss etc so its now onwards and upwards to the next 6 cycles and fingers crossed the shrinkage will continue so further treatments can be considered. Keep strong everyone
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Follow-up blood tests
by suef- 1 reply
- 9.9k views
Sorry, this is an additional point about the follow-up after a Whipple. I forwarded my blood test & scan results to my surgeons in Belgium and they noted that they would have tested levels of vitamins A,D,E,K in addition to the tests done here. Any comments on this? Thanks in advance!
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Incisional epigastric hernia
by suef- 2 replies
- 9.5k views
I had a Whipple op in February 2010 for the removal of a tumour from my pancreas. The tumour turned out to be non-cancerous and I have made an excellent recovery. The operation was done in Belgium, where I was working. I have now returned to the UK and, as part of normal follow-up, have had a CT scan at a UK hospital. This has revealed an 'incisional epigastric hernia containing non-obstructed transverse colon'. Has anybody else had this type of hernia following a Whipple? The scan was done in December 2012. When, in February, I asked for the results to be sent to my GP, I was told 'It is not standard practice to forward the results of the scans or bloods t…
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New treatment?
by karen17- 2 replies
- 7.7k views
Does anyone know anything about GTX chemo? I believe it's a combination therapy but not sure if only available in the USA as I read about it on an american site. Appeared to have positive feedback so wondered if its available here?
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Kidney function test
by Blue-Eyes- 1 reply
- 7.7k views
Hi guys this has been on my mind for a few days, as you know dads cancer hasn't spread from the pancreas and he starts radiopherapy soon, he's having a kidney functioning test before he starts, i was wondering is this the norm, I havnt really heard of having this procedure before the treatment before. Thanks for listening Kind regards h x
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told tumour could be resectable after chemo?
by lackie2013- 2 replies
- 7.9k views
hi there My lovely MIL finally saw her surgeon today who confirmed at present the tumour is not operable. However, he was very positive and said that radical chemotherapy could shrink the tumour and therefore he could then operate. the tumour is in the head of the pancreas about 4 x 4 and touching the main artery and vein but not going through it. It has not spread according to the last CT scan. He said we need to now get the oncology referral and biopsy confirmation and he said to have Gemzar and something else, I cant recall now, my husband has the notes. He said as she is fit and well othewise she could handle an aggressive approach and the treatment may shrink it. …
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Dad starting Gemzar soon!!!! Side Effects anyone???
by Gillian12345- 2 replies
- 9.8k views
Hello. Im Gillian (NEWBIE on here!!). My father has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 PC. He has mets to his liver and kidneys. He's well at the moment but is due to start GEMZAR at the end of this week. Does anyone have first hand experience of this Chemo? I'm really worried how its going to effect him!!! Hes been told its for 12 weeks with one half hour session a week administered by a drip in hospital. His diagnosis has rocked my world. My dad means the world to me. He is 68 has 4 grown up children and has 12 grandchildren!!! From what I gather hes been given around 6-12 months depending on how the treatment works. Why is this cancer such a terrible…
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Whipples Procedure at 12 years old.. 13 years later..
by sazzle1710- 7 replies
- 14.5k views
Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm 26 years old. Thought I would put my story on here to give others inspiration and hope after a Whipple's Procedure and any long term effects that it brought. At the age of 12, I became Jaundiced and after my GP did blood tests, they found it was not hepatitis A (viral infection) and sent me for an Ultrasound. Within 10 minutes after the scan I was rushed straight to xx Hospital. To cut a long story short, I turned out I had a 3cm tumour on the head of my pancreas. According to my consultant, they had never seen this before in a child so young. After 5 months of tests, biopsy's, scans they decided to remove the Benign tumour as it was increasing…
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Husband Diagnosed by GP with PC
by mkdons- 3 replies
- 10.6k views
Can anyone give me advise as my husband was diagnosed after 5 months of severe back ache. Doctors continued throughout to up is Pain relief, never considered anything else, just muscle pain,even though his bloods of ALK and ALP Were sky high on the two occassions they were taken. Following an requested Ultrasound abnormalties were found and a CT scan was ordered, this was prioritied as Low. Jaundice came before the CT Scan date therefore was admitted to AE. Anyway a CT Scan finally told us the news we did not want to here PC in head and neck and blocking bile duct, with 7 mestateses on Liver. After meeting of MDT, the Mcmillan Nurse telephoned to say that the operatio…
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Sunitnib malate capsules side effects
by rksubash- 3 replies
- 9.8k views
My Uncle have diagnosed with a unknown primary metastatic carcinoma on feb 2012 and continued the treatment so far . He was given chemotheraphy first and the cancer has not responded for that then it was told that there is Capsule(Sunitnib malate) which will extend his life but will not cure the cancer . Later he took the capsule with 50 mg (25+25) for 2 weeks daily as prescribed . After the end of 2 weeks , he got severe stomach pain and again taken for consultation at that time he was identified with yellowish skin and eye which suspects for Jaundice . His Bilirubin and alkaline photospate levels are so high than normal so he is unable to take any food and the Dr Said t…
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Stomach Cramps
by lisaH- 3 replies
- 9.1k views
Hello, Mum is into her fifth month of chemo and has been having a bit of diahorrhea these past couple of weeks and now she is having quite bad stomach cramps. The specialist said it is quite normal and prescribed Buscopan Cramps medication but she cannot take her anti-sickness tablets as well. Does anyone know what the cause of the cramps is as she has been told it is something to do with the pancreas and not the chemo which is causing them. We don't seem to be getting the right answers. I have noticed now though that the more chemo she has the more she is tired. Last thursday was week one of month five and she felt sick throughout the chemo and was actually sick afterwar…
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- 6 replies
- 11.3k views
Hello everyone Although very new to posting anything on this forum I have followed your stories and have been given hope and inspiration from the topics I have read. I'm 54 and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2011 and underwent surgery (whipple) four weeks later. This was followed by six months of chemotherapy. It took over two years to get my diagnosis but thats another story. I am asking if anyone can help with advice regarding constant diarrhorea and stomach pain. I have been like this ever since the surgery and I am now taking 75,000 Creon with each meal having gradually increased it over the last 12 month however, it's always the same no …
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Advice please on treatment
by simon- 4 replies
- 9.8k views
Hello I wonder if someone could help me out. The question is relevant to pancreatic cancer and also to cancer tumors in general. I have been given to understand that a tumor is not always 100% cancerous (active) For example a tumor may be 5% or 35% cancerous ( cancerous/active on the outside of the tumor with the middle not active). Apparently, when a CT scan is taken,(after a period of treatment) it will not show up a small shrinkage. So, for example, if a tumor was 5% active and chemotherapy had killed all of the cancerous cells and thereby shrunk the tumor by 5%,( the scan would not pick up the relevant shrinkage), so for all you know the part of the tumor that w…
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After Whipples
by holsworthy- 1 reply
- 8.9k views
Hi all my husband is 10 days post surgery and so far has been recovering well he has today though been very nauseus and has vomitted. Is this normal?
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Whipples Operation
by holsworthy- 1 reply
- 7.9k views
My husband had whipples operation on wednesday 29th August and has been talking to people on here regarding this he has asked me to let everyone know his progress, David went to theatre at 8.30 am was in icu by 4pm talking and alert within 24 hours he was taken to a ward he is still very sleepy but doing well, taking sips on water. Food to be introduced on monday, which he is very nervous about. I have not seen any Dr's!!! this is worrying me a little, David's surgeon has told him he is happy with the procedure. My first impression is David is doing well although I know we are very early days. Maxine [surname removed - moderator]
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Distal Pancreatectomy
by Luckybear- 1 reply
- 7.8k views
Hi I'm new to the forum. I'm looking for some advice. My mum is getting a distal pancreatectomy in four weeks time for a benign serous cystadenoma. Can I ask a favour - I'd love any feedback from anyone who may have had one of these procedures, or may know someone who did. Thanks in advance Pauline
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ampullary cancer
by georgie439- 5 replies
- 14.1k views
Dear Group: I have read, accidentally, a post of Simon, who is a member here. PLEASE I very much want to contact him or have hime contact me. I also would love to speak with anyone with ampullary cancer or papilla, PLEASE Thank-you very much for reading my post!!\ Please respond......................................................God Bless, Denise (georgie)
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Welcome to this new forum
by PCUK Nurse Jeni- 8 replies
- 11.8k views
Welcome to this new forum focused on chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. We hope this will be a place where you can discuss your experience of these treatments.
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faecal incontinence
by suef- 8 replies
- 15.4k views
I hesitate to bring up such a 'taboo' subject but the great joy of this website is the possibility to discuss intimate matters. I had a Whipple 2 years ago and have recovered well but, no matter how much Creon I take and no matter how careful I am about what I eat, I still get violent, sudden diarrhaea about once every 4-6 weeks. I could probably live with this (am so very grateful my tumour was non-cancerous) but my hobby is walking and in the countryside, with people I might not know very well, there are not always convenient bushes around. Exercise seems to bring on the urge to pass motions, I have already had one embarassing episode and it is beginning to put me …
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- 1 reply
- 7.5k views
Hi All.. (steroids) My First Post is in the 'advanced forum' in which Ive told all about my amazing mam and how she was diagnosed. Her pc has spread to her liver, a cat scan revealed this in May 2012.. She is doing really well, her mental strength is amazing and she is always smiling and positive, as we all are.. (as much as we can in these circumstances) She is taking morphine tablets.. also oral, paracetemol & anti-sickness. She also has DVT in her leg, which has injection for. She has just had her first oncology meeting and was told that due to her liver damage she cannot have chemotherapy at this time, as it will make her very ill and cause her to…
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- 3 replies
- 8.1k views
Hi, I am nanny, new to PCUK, I have been eagerly reading all the posts on this website, gleening any info I can, having now accustomising myself, is that the right word? to the fact my Husband has the dreaded PC. He only had a backache! After going through all the emotions like denial and bitterness and now acceptance, as you do. Rivers I have cried and all my children too, its such a hard thing as it is so daunting when diagnosed so late. We ran about like headless chickens for a few weeks, not accepting that this was it, trying to find out more, didn't even now what your pancreas did! or where it was! My Family too have been ringing around the world thinking that t…
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There is life after Whipple!
by suef- 6 replies
- 12k views
I had a Whipple in February 2010 because of a tumour on my pancreas. My hobby before that was walking, and I never thought I would have the strength to get back to it. But in September 2011, together with a very patient friend, I did most of the Hadrian's Wall path, did around 80 miles over 10 days, very slowly, but felt fantastic!
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- 8 replies
- 21.8k views
I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in December 2010, and was described as inoperable as I had spread to the liver. I have recently completed 12 months on Chemo - Gemcitabine and capecitabine. Needless to say that has been a marathon, but after the 12 months, the consultant sent me for a further MRI and PET scan, and believes I am now possibly a candidate for surgery, and I have an appointment with said surgeon on the 4th April I have read numerous of the posts in here headed Whipples but haven't really got the information I seek. Basically, I can understand the risks inherent in the surgery, I can understand the recuperation and pain etc, but what I want to unde…
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First bluebell?
by suef- 2 replies
- 7.4k views
As I was wandering round my garden yesterday evening, trying to digest a sausage roll that I had rather unwisely decided to have for tea, and wondering how many more Creon I would need to digest it, I saw the first bluebell this year! Very early for here in north east England, and it lightened my heart so much! Has anyone else seen them yet?