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Tralfinlar and Mekinist

Forums General Melanoma Community Tralfinlar and Mekinist

  • Post
    gwright3799
    Participant

      Found lump in my groin/ thigh area. Had it removed January 26, 2018. Metastatic Melanoma. PET scan and brain scan clear. No original sight for Melanoma. Treated with radiation 27 treatments. Now starting regimen of above mentioned drugs for 1 year due to Brag indicator in blood. Does anyone have any knowledge of these drugs or any side effects? Little apprehensive. 

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        gwright3799
        Participant

          Trafinlar

            Rob578
            Guest

              I have been on this combo about 8 days with very minor side effects. Had some heart palpitations for 2 hours, minor headache , and woke up at 3 am with severe joint pain. All temporary and last 4 days fine with no side effects.

              Everyone is unique and different and I must admit reading the potetial side effects scarred the crap out of me. But my doc said reverse the numbers not 5 % or 2 % chance of but 95% or 98% chance of not happening.

              I'm Stage 3a so going on this combo was a real tough decision just to get rid of any potential microscopic melanoma particles floating around. Also mine was head/neck so I refused radiation given risk/reward scenario of radiating the neck. Hang in there I take mine at 10am and 10pm and the mek at noon. Also two hours before meds in morning have breakfast and vitamin regime B12 , C, D , wild fish oil, bee propolis.

              Oldwife
              Participant

                DH started this combo a year ago and it has been very successful. Had a couple of days of fever about 3 months into treatment, but that could have been flu…. otherwise, he is up and skiing, if you can believe that. All the mets he had when prescribed the Mek/Taf disappeared- he did develop a lung met after 6 months which was treated in January 2018 with Cyber knife, but so far, so good.

                Best of luck to you!

              gwright3799
              Participant

                Trafinlar

                Bubbles
                Participant

                  Targeted therapy works best when I BRAF inhibitor is combined with a MEK inhibitor…which sounds like what your doc is recommending.  Here is a post that might help answer your questions:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/02/braf-inhibitors-for-melanoma-dabrafenib.html  

                  There is this overview that I also put together that might be helpful:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/08/melanoma-intel-primer-for-current.html  

                  Hope that helps.  I wish you my best.  Celeste

                  Jayming86
                  Participant

                    I’ve been on Mek/Taf since November.  I’m using it as adjuvant therapy for stage 3 fully resected Melanoma.  So far I’ve had some really bad fever/chills/sweating/bruising in my legs.  It’s happen twice, last for around 3-4 days.  Other than that I feel brand new.  I hear good things about this drug.  Best of luck to you friend!

                    jrtufo
                    Participant

                      I've been on and off this combo since September.  Had to "hold treatment" a few times due to severe fevers and lethargy, but all in all it is a pretty tolerable treatment.  Best of luck!

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