I started the PCV chemotherapy last night. Week one is the 'C' component, followed by 2 weeks of the 'P'. Dragging today, but stomach feels OK.
Getting the chemo approved ordered and shipped though the insurance was a challenge. First thing is that the insurance co and its pharmacy do not recognize the drug names the doctor told us.
'P' doctor says is 'Procarbazine' and 'C' for 'Ceenu' The insurance pharmacy calls these two drugs "Matulane"for 'P' and "Lomustine" or "Gleostine" for the 'C'. nice. Second was that the pharmacy (BCBSIL Prime) then said that it will be need to be filled by their Specialty pharmacy, then they said "we are not licensed to dispense that drug, you will have to to a third party, "Accredo". I have my Dr send there. Several days go by and they say that they never got the Rx. Then, out of the blue, Walgreens calls me to set up for delivery. I have no idea where they got the Rx from, but they assured me that it was covered and ready to ship. Great , ship it! But wait, they only have the Rx for the 'P', no mention of 'C'. I call the doctor and have the re-send to now a third place. That worked, and I had both in hand a couple days earlier. The 'V' is intravenous, and the doctor recommended to skip that for now. Its been shown recently that the this drug does not get into the brain, and some people take it because all the research was done with the full PCV combination. not me.
I am happy with the progress of therapy with my left hand. Problems with proprioception continue.
Have a great new year,
-Ed
Update 1/13:
Wow is that Ceenu powerful stuff. I took 220mg on Sunday night and did not feel OK until Thursday night. In between was fatigue and nausea. When I was on Temador, I would take 400mg every day and not crash like that until after 3 days. The smaller amount of ceenu brought me down immediately. It caused constipation immediately, I should have started miralax the day before.
Update 1/16:
I started the Procarbizine last night. 1st of 14 200mg daily doses. Taking miralax as a precaution. Woke up with a headache, other than that feeling ok.
Update 1/24:
I have been taking the Procarbizine for about a week now. I don't have anywhere near the stomach problems I had with the temodar. I have been eating regularly, small portions throughout the day. I was feeling pretty good till Thursday last week. I took a walk and was having a hard time getting home from exhaustion.The fatigue has persisted since then. I spend a lot of time sleeping.
Update 1/29:
I took my last dose of Procarbazine last night... first cycle complete! I have been eating regularly and taking Miralax daily. The only significant problem was exhaustion. Now I get three weeks off and then start cycle two of six.
Update 8/4:
The side effects got worse as cycles progressed
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
To make a comment without an account, set the 'Comment as:' to 'Anonymous', Type your message then click 'Post Comment' Be sure to leave your name in the comment so one can tell who wrote it.