Iressa Problems - 03-07-2005 09:59 AM
Part of what is making my treatment so ugly at the moment is that not only am I doing daily radiation and weekly chemo, but I agreed to take part of the Iressa study. Every day like clockwork, I take my Iressa. When agreeing to this study, they informed me that the side effects were adult acne and loose stools. The loose stools weren't an issue once I began the heavy pain meds (in fact, I have the opposite problem now) but the acne has taken over. I've got large scabby areas all over the back of my neck and shoulders and all over the skin of my chin and throat. I'm like a big bleeding scab that won't heal.
The doctors however, are excited by this. It seems that Iressa patients that do get this sort of horrendous acne reaction to their skin have the highest success rates of cure. It's making me miserable though. My greatest relief is getting in the shower and letting warm water run over my skin.
Two weeks ago, my fingers started splitting apart. large cracks in each fingertip and sores all over my hands and feet. Again, the doctors are excited about this. My husband and I finally found some relief for my hands by getting some "Nexcare for skin cracks" which is like a liquid bandaid. He'd paint my fingertips and finger sores just so I'd be able to wash my hands. All the nurses kept asking me if I had shingles or something. This was about the time my neck started breaking out violently.
All of this... the neck, chin, throat scabs and the finger cracking is due to the Iressa. I was wondering if anybody here had a similar reaction to it. They want me to continue on with this even though it's making me miserable. (hey, it's hard to sleep when the pillowcase is sticking to your neck and you have to pull your hair out of the muck in the morning)
Is there any lotion or skin ointment that can solve some of this burning pain from the acne? So far all I got is over the counter cortizone cream the doctor recommended to keep me from scratching it.
Thanks.. I got one more week of rad and chemo to get through... then on to the neck dissection
The doctors however, are excited by this. It seems that Iressa patients that do get this sort of horrendous acne reaction to their skin have the highest success rates of cure. It's making me miserable though. My greatest relief is getting in the shower and letting warm water run over my skin.
Two weeks ago, my fingers started splitting apart. large cracks in each fingertip and sores all over my hands and feet. Again, the doctors are excited about this. My husband and I finally found some relief for my hands by getting some "Nexcare for skin cracks" which is like a liquid bandaid. He'd paint my fingertips and finger sores just so I'd be able to wash my hands. All the nurses kept asking me if I had shingles or something. This was about the time my neck started breaking out violently.
All of this... the neck, chin, throat scabs and the finger cracking is due to the Iressa. I was wondering if anybody here had a similar reaction to it. They want me to continue on with this even though it's making me miserable. (hey, it's hard to sleep when the pillowcase is sticking to your neck and you have to pull your hair out of the muck in the morning)
Is there any lotion or skin ointment that can solve some of this burning pain from the acne? So far all I got is over the counter cortizone cream the doctor recommended to keep me from scratching it.
Thanks.. I got one more week of rad and chemo to get through... then on to the neck dissection