| | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) |  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 | My mom has been receiving the generic form of Erbitux for a little while now. I have to say the side effects vary from treatment to treatment. She did get the rash (just on her nose) and peeling fingers and feet. The peeling sometimes got bad enough that it would crack and bleed, but she used neosporin and band aids and she dealt with that okay. She did have upset stomach and some vomiting one treatment. Another treatment she had a fever and had to be taken to the ER. I am pretty sure that they gave her the exact same thing each time, it was just the way that her body dealt with it that was different. She is currently receiving the cetuximab and taxol weekly. The only complaint that she has had is being completely exhausted. She is worn out just walking to the kitchen. Hopefully the information I provided will be a little help, however as you will hear time and time again, each person is different.
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Mom 48 diagnosed Sep 08 Stage IV SCC
full glossectomy, neck dissection traech and peg Nov 08
35 radiation treatments and 3 chemo
Mar 09 mets to lungs
Started Erbitux 3/09/09
06/26/09 mets to rib
Stopped Erbitux 6/26/09
Start erbitux/taxol 7/06/09
Started Hospice 7/24/09
Passed away 8/09/09
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I had rads. and Erbitux then rad seed implants, The Erbitux helped me thru a rough time.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I sure never had anything peel except a little on my neck and face. I didn't lose my hair either and just a little on the sides of my face where I shave. I have never heard of generic Erbitux either, but for me that is normal.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Erbitux is a marketing/trade name for the drug, it has a chemical name as well, Cetuximab. But there is no generic versions of the Erbitux drug since it has an active patent on it.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 | Thank you... We live in Mt. Lebanon just south of Pittsburgh. He is treated at Drake Center in Bethal and Hillman Center in Shadyside. He had his radation treatments at St. Clair Hospital. Do you live in the area? I see that you are from PA.. thank you again. He is at his witts end, and he is a very strong man but his will is fading... we cannot afford any wrong moves this stage in the game.
Thank you...
DAD68yrs old
Diagnosed Feb16 08
PEGTube March08
3chemo/35 Radation Treatments
All Clear Nov08
Diagnosed April09
Base of Tounge and 3 Nodules in lungs
2Chemo tretments/ Stopped Chemo due to Bone Marrow loss
June09-Sept09 IMCA12 Experimental Study
Sept09 Erbitux 2wks. Stopped
No treatment
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 | thank you...I will keep your mom in my prayers
DAD68yrs old
Diagnosed Feb16 08
PEGTube March08
3chemo/35 Radation Treatments
All Clear Nov08
Diagnosed April09
Base of Tounge and 3 Nodules in lungs
2Chemo tretments/ Stopped Chemo due to Bone Marrow loss
June09-Sept09 IMCA12 Experimental Study
Sept09 Erbitux 2wks. Stopped
No treatment
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I have been inmany of your Hospitals in Pittsburgh.And treated at a couple as outpatient. UPMC, Childrens when Dr Mears 1st statred his practice n Pitsburgh, McGee , Shadyside. For sure you have a lot of good Hospitals there. I lived just south of Steubenville then. Have been in Allegheny general for aneurysm Surgery too in Jan this year and waiting for the finish surgery when it is safe,.Good Luck
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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