Livinonaprayer

Hi, I’m sorry to hear of your sister’s diagnosis and side effects. My husband also has metastatic melanoma, also good results on the tumor and spots, also suffered the side effects you mentioned and was hospitalized for a few days because of them. He took a two week drug holiday at that time and when they restarted him they dose reduced the debrafinib by 25% and kept the trametinib the same as the original dose. He doesn’t have any of those effects anymore. He is on the intermittent trial with 5 weeks on and three weeks off. I would definitely recommend inquiring about a slight dose reduction first, maybe that will address the issues better than the intermittent drug schedule. Some people just don’t need the full dose, my husband has had good results with the lower dose. This is just our experience, I wish the best for your sister and you.

My husband is doing this trial, he has Stage IV lesion on his spine and ribs with Mets to his lungs. He in on the 3rd 8-week cycle and has had great results with the drugs, 42% reduction in the 3 lesions being followed after the first cycle and another not so dramatic reduction after cycle 2. He takes it for a week, 3 weeks off, then 4 weeks on then scans. As long as there is no disease progression he can stay in the program. It was the last spot in the program at our treatment center. Best wishes to you as you make your plan!

My husband had the high fever flu-like symptoms in the first 5 weeks and was hospitalized. When he restarted the meds a couple weeks later he was dose reduced and now is practically asymptomatic. He works full time and has still had great scans (42% cancer reduction, then another 20%). There is hope to feel good and Dr. said that dose reducing doesn’t reduce effectiveness, some people just don’t need the full amount. Blessings to you as you continue.