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  • Post
    • April 30, 2020 at 8:37 pm
    S.lavelle
    Participant
      Hi I am starting this treatment tomorrow. Could anyone give me and info on what to expect please?
    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • May 1, 2020 at 1:09 am
        sandyd77
        Participant
          Hello,

          My husband is undergoing treatment with these two oral chemo agents which are also known as taflinar and mekinist. He is stage 4 – was diagnosed in 2018 with back ulceration as original site. Had wide excision and multiple lymph nodes removed. All was clear and we did not have adjuvant therapy at that time. In May of 2019, had a PET Scan and found melanoma had recurred subcutaneously in back at original side with mets to lungs and small lesion on liver. He was put on Opdivo for 10 months which initially stabilized growth but disease progressed. He was determined to be BRAF positive and was put on Taf and Mek in March. He has been taking the meds for a little over a month and we are seeing amazing shrinkage of back melanoma and hoping there are good things happening with the internal mets. Hopefully, this treatment will help to prevent any recurrence for you.

          As far as side effects – fever and fatigue have been the main issues but we have managed the fever with Tylenols and it has not gone above 101. He also has developed a rash which we are treating with cortisone. I am really hopeful about the results thus far, and hope this treatment works well for him and for you.

          It is important to understand what side effects may occur and what triggers the need to alert your medical team. I am including a link to the drug manufacturer web site that I found very helpful about side effects and how to handle . https://www.us.tafinlarmekinist.com/advanced-melanoma/side-effects/understanding-side-effects/

          I hope you adjust to this as quickly as he has and that you have very good results. Luck and blessings to you.

          Sandy D.

          • May 1, 2020 at 6:51 am
          S.lavelle
          Participant
            Thank you sandy for taking the time to reply. Today is the first day I’m starting it and I really had not thought it was such
            A big deal until I read up on it. We are lucky to live in an age
            When such drugs are available to us. Very best wishes to your husband
              • June 10, 2020 at 3:15 am
              jrtufo
              Participant
                I’ve been on this combo for about 2.5 years. I had trouble with fatigue and fevers initially and have been on a reduced dosage for about 1.5 years without much trouble. I consider it a great combo for me as my tumor was not able to be fully removed yet my scans now show only dead tissue. Try the normal dose, prepare yourself for fever/chill combo and understand that your body very well may adjust (as mine has) over time. Good luck and keep the ibprophen close by.
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