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Zelboraf Side Effects

Forums General Melanoma Community Zelboraf Side Effects

  • Post
    NatalieZLea
    Participant

      Hello all!

      Hello all!

      I was wondering if anyone could share their experience with Zelboraf.  In particular, I would like anyone's insight/experience with foot calluses and related pain.  My mom was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma last May.  Since then, she has undergone a lung resection, biochemotherapy, and most recently three craniotomies in three months' time.  Currently, mom has six brain tumors, a lesion in her liver and also disease in a lymph node near her pancreas.  Two and a half weeks ago, mom's oncologist at MDAnderson here in Houston started her on Zelboraf.  Since then, she quickly experienced side effects–notably sun sensitivity, a terrible rash all over her body and unbearably painful yellow calluses on the bottoms of her feet.  Her oncologist decided to suspend treatment for a week because mom's rash was so terrible and foot pain intolerable, and we will re-visit everything on Monday.  I was curious whether others have had the same experience as my mom regarding the excruciating foot pain and if so, how long does it last?  What remedies were used to releive the pain?  Also, any other contributions regarding your experience with the drug would be most appreciated. 

      Kindest Regards,
      Natalie

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        lhaley
        Participant

          I know that Nic was having pain in her feet when she was on Zelboraf.  If you go to the main board and do a search she had written about it a few months ago.  I do know that they put her on a drug that had really helped with the side effect and it might have been what her family Dr that actually gave her that med to help. 

          You also by accident put your message on the off-topic. You will get more responses on the main board.

          I have also heard that those that are on a combo of MEK and BRAF drugs seem to have less side-effects.  I'm sorry that your mom is going through such a bad time ight now.  What is the plan for the next set of brain tumors?

          Linda

            NatalieZLea
            Participant

              Linda,

               

              Thank you so very much for your helpful response.  As I am sure you are aware, there is very little evidence of the effectiveness of Zelboraf in treating brain mets.  My mom's oncologist at MDAnderson recognized this; however, he did point to a few cases where brain mets have responded to Zelboraf (for whatever reason).  So, currently the plan is for mom to try the Zelboraf for a month and then have an MRI to determine what/if any effect the drug is having.  In the event that her brain mets have grown or there are more present, the plan is for WBR.  Prior to my mom's last craniotomy, one of her tumors hemmorhaged, and she lost function of her left arm completely.  She has been blessed with an amazing neurosurgeon here in Houston at the Methodist Hospital, and he removed the tumor that had hemmorhaged, drained the clot and by the grace of God, mom is putting in her contacts, tying her head scarves and holding my three-month old son. Mom's MRI is scheduled for the 12th, so I am prayerful that the Zelboraf is working.  Of short-term importance, I am hoping mom can resume taking it on Monday.  Again, thank you for your thoughts.

              Natalie

              NatalieZLea
              Participant

                Linda,

                 

                Thank you so very much for your helpful response.  As I am sure you are aware, there is very little evidence of the effectiveness of Zelboraf in treating brain mets.  My mom's oncologist at MDAnderson recognized this; however, he did point to a few cases where brain mets have responded to Zelboraf (for whatever reason).  So, currently the plan is for mom to try the Zelboraf for a month and then have an MRI to determine what/if any effect the drug is having.  In the event that her brain mets have grown or there are more present, the plan is for WBR.  Prior to my mom's last craniotomy, one of her tumors hemmorhaged, and she lost function of her left arm completely.  She has been blessed with an amazing neurosurgeon here in Houston at the Methodist Hospital, and he removed the tumor that had hemmorhaged, drained the clot and by the grace of God, mom is putting in her contacts, tying her head scarves and holding my three-month old son. Mom's MRI is scheduled for the 12th, so I am prayerful that the Zelboraf is working.  Of short-term importance, I am hoping mom can resume taking it on Monday.  Again, thank you for your thoughts.

                Natalie

                NatalieZLea
                Participant

                  Linda,

                   

                  Thank you so very much for your helpful response.  As I am sure you are aware, there is very little evidence of the effectiveness of Zelboraf in treating brain mets.  My mom's oncologist at MDAnderson recognized this; however, he did point to a few cases where brain mets have responded to Zelboraf (for whatever reason).  So, currently the plan is for mom to try the Zelboraf for a month and then have an MRI to determine what/if any effect the drug is having.  In the event that her brain mets have grown or there are more present, the plan is for WBR.  Prior to my mom's last craniotomy, one of her tumors hemmorhaged, and she lost function of her left arm completely.  She has been blessed with an amazing neurosurgeon here in Houston at the Methodist Hospital, and he removed the tumor that had hemmorhaged, drained the clot and by the grace of God, mom is putting in her contacts, tying her head scarves and holding my three-month old son. Mom's MRI is scheduled for the 12th, so I am prayerful that the Zelboraf is working.  Of short-term importance, I am hoping mom can resume taking it on Monday.  Again, thank you for your thoughts.

                  Natalie

                lhaley
                Participant

                  I know that Nic was having pain in her feet when she was on Zelboraf.  If you go to the main board and do a search she had written about it a few months ago.  I do know that they put her on a drug that had really helped with the side effect and it might have been what her family Dr that actually gave her that med to help. 

                  You also by accident put your message on the off-topic. You will get more responses on the main board.

                  I have also heard that those that are on a combo of MEK and BRAF drugs seem to have less side-effects.  I'm sorry that your mom is going through such a bad time ight now.  What is the plan for the next set of brain tumors?

                  Linda

                  lhaley
                  Participant

                    I know that Nic was having pain in her feet when she was on Zelboraf.  If you go to the main board and do a search she had written about it a few months ago.  I do know that they put her on a drug that had really helped with the side effect and it might have been what her family Dr that actually gave her that med to help. 

                    You also by accident put your message on the off-topic. You will get more responses on the main board.

                    I have also heard that those that are on a combo of MEK and BRAF drugs seem to have less side-effects.  I'm sorry that your mom is going through such a bad time ight now.  What is the plan for the next set of brain tumors?

                    Linda

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