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Switching from Zelboraf to Yervoy or not?
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Switching from Zelboraf to Yervoy or not?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Switching from Zelboraf to Yervoy or not?

  • Post
    • September 19, 2012 at 8:12 pm
    Mickey n Jo
    Participant

      Ok, here we are again. My husband just had a short hospital stay during which time they stopped the Zel and gave him fluids to build him up a bit. He's feeling much better now, even gained about a pound and a half, but heres the tough part, should he continue on the Zelboraf at the reduced dosage of 2 pills morning and night, or switch to Yervoy. Right now we're leaning towards continuing the Zel as long as it's working. He goes for his scan on Friday, so we'll see what that shows. How bad are the side effects associated with Yervoy? He had such a rough time on the Zel.

      Ok, here we are again. My husband just had a short hospital stay during which time they stopped the Zel and gave him fluids to build him up a bit. He's feeling much better now, even gained about a pound and a half, but heres the tough part, should he continue on the Zelboraf at the reduced dosage of 2 pills morning and night, or switch to Yervoy. Right now we're leaning towards continuing the Zel as long as it's working. He goes for his scan on Friday, so we'll see what that shows. How bad are the side effects associated with Yervoy? He had such a rough time on the Zel.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
          I’m sorry your hubs has been through the ringer with Zel. At one point my onc was considering me on 1 week on/1 week off I was so sick with the side effects. He said he has a patient doing very well being treated this way.

          I would ask if this is an option. My doc has always been firm with me that 2 pills twice a day is not effective, and I either needed to be on 3 twice a day for some period of time, or not at all.

          I took meds temporarily to regain the weight I’d lost so you might ask about that too. Worked almost too well for me – snacked all the time and my hubs gained 5 lbs.

          I hope your hubs is feeling better soon.

          • September 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm
          awillett1991
          Participant
            I’m sorry your hubs has been through the ringer with Zel. At one point my onc was considering me on 1 week on/1 week off I was so sick with the side effects. He said he has a patient doing very well being treated this way.

            I would ask if this is an option. My doc has always been firm with me that 2 pills twice a day is not effective, and I either needed to be on 3 twice a day for some period of time, or not at all.

            I took meds temporarily to regain the weight I’d lost so you might ask about that too. Worked almost too well for me – snacked all the time and my hubs gained 5 lbs.

            I hope your hubs is feeling better soon.

            • September 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm
            awillett1991
            Participant
              I’m sorry your hubs has been through the ringer with Zel. At one point my onc was considering me on 1 week on/1 week off I was so sick with the side effects. He said he has a patient doing very well being treated this way.

              I would ask if this is an option. My doc has always been firm with me that 2 pills twice a day is not effective, and I either needed to be on 3 twice a day for some period of time, or not at all.

              I took meds temporarily to regain the weight I’d lost so you might ask about that too. Worked almost too well for me – snacked all the time and my hubs gained 5 lbs.

              I hope your hubs is feeling better soon.

                • September 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
                Mickey n Jo
                Participant

                  Thanks so much for your quick reply. What meds were you taking to regain the weight you lost? My husband normally weighs about 167lbs, but is down to 137lbs, so anything that might help would be great. Hope everything goes well for you.

                  • September 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
                  Mickey n Jo
                  Participant

                    Thanks so much for your quick reply. What meds were you taking to regain the weight you lost? My husband normally weighs about 167lbs, but is down to 137lbs, so anything that might help would be great. Hope everything goes well for you.

                    • September 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
                    Mickey n Jo
                    Participant

                      Thanks so much for your quick reply. What meds were you taking to regain the weight you lost? My husband normally weighs about 167lbs, but is down to 137lbs, so anything that might help would be great. Hope everything goes well for you.

                      • September 19, 2012 at 10:34 pm
                      awillett1991
                      Participant
                        I tried Marinol, which you should know is the “legal”, synthesized form of THC. Didn’t work though – made me dizzy and dopey but not hungry. Then went on Megace ES. Worked great for me, no side effects. I’m not too big, started at 121 lbs or so and after dropping 12 lbs and had pretty well quit eating, went to this. Also I make up these high calorie shakes every day with a powder I get at the nutrition store. I make a milk shake with it so it adds loads of calories. I get vanilla then add berries, etc, or choc ice cream. Hope that helps.
                        • September 19, 2012 at 10:34 pm
                        awillett1991
                        Participant
                          I tried Marinol, which you should know is the “legal”, synthesized form of THC. Didn’t work though – made me dizzy and dopey but not hungry. Then went on Megace ES. Worked great for me, no side effects. I’m not too big, started at 121 lbs or so and after dropping 12 lbs and had pretty well quit eating, went to this. Also I make up these high calorie shakes every day with a powder I get at the nutrition store. I make a milk shake with it so it adds loads of calories. I get vanilla then add berries, etc, or choc ice cream. Hope that helps.
                          • September 19, 2012 at 10:34 pm
                          awillett1991
                          Participant
                            I tried Marinol, which you should know is the “legal”, synthesized form of THC. Didn’t work though – made me dizzy and dopey but not hungry. Then went on Megace ES. Worked great for me, no side effects. I’m not too big, started at 121 lbs or so and after dropping 12 lbs and had pretty well quit eating, went to this. Also I make up these high calorie shakes every day with a powder I get at the nutrition store. I make a milk shake with it so it adds loads of calories. I get vanilla then add berries, etc, or choc ice cream. Hope that helps.
                            • September 19, 2012 at 11:22 pm
                            Mickey n Jo
                            Participant

                              Thanks again. The Dr. had mentioned Megace as a possibility. We will definitely look into it. We are doing the shakes also, but that is good idea getting a gainer shake type thing from GNC and adding to it.

                              • September 19, 2012 at 11:22 pm
                              Mickey n Jo
                              Participant

                                Thanks again. The Dr. had mentioned Megace as a possibility. We will definitely look into it. We are doing the shakes also, but that is good idea getting a gainer shake type thing from GNC and adding to it.

                                • September 19, 2012 at 11:22 pm
                                Mickey n Jo
                                Participant

                                  Thanks again. The Dr. had mentioned Megace as a possibility. We will definitely look into it. We are doing the shakes also, but that is good idea getting a gainer shake type thing from GNC and adding to it.

                                • September 26, 2012 at 5:24 pm
                                doriniel
                                Participant

                                  I have been on 2 pills a day for a year. I have had to come off several times( for one or two weeks) due to side effects. It seems that the zelboraf has been working well.. I did have a tumor in my left chest and R flank area that could be palpated.Tthey now seem to be gone. At least I no longer can feel them. The tumors in my lungs and liver had shrunk or were non detectable on my last scan. I'm hoping my scan next month is promising.

                                  • September 26, 2012 at 5:24 pm
                                  doriniel
                                  Participant

                                    I have been on 2 pills a day for a year. I have had to come off several times( for one or two weeks) due to side effects. It seems that the zelboraf has been working well.. I did have a tumor in my left chest and R flank area that could be palpated.Tthey now seem to be gone. At least I no longer can feel them. The tumors in my lungs and liver had shrunk or were non detectable on my last scan. I'm hoping my scan next month is promising.

                                    • September 26, 2012 at 5:24 pm
                                    doriniel
                                    Participant

                                      I have been on 2 pills a day for a year. I have had to come off several times( for one or two weeks) due to side effects. It seems that the zelboraf has been working well.. I did have a tumor in my left chest and R flank area that could be palpated.Tthey now seem to be gone. At least I no longer can feel them. The tumors in my lungs and liver had shrunk or were non detectable on my last scan. I'm hoping my scan next month is promising.

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