Tim, I was switched to Carboplatin and found it much less difficult in that I did not have to measure urine output, and I didn't need anti-nausea drugs. By that time my mouth was a mess anyway, so I don't know that there was any change with regard to that. In my case, Taxol was also added, which made me temporarily bald, but seemed to have no other side effects.

I am very glad you are being tested. One's hearing is nothing to gamble with.

Hey Tim you are almost done. Keep up the good work! and thanks for posting that high cal shake recipe.

Lisa

Lisa,

Your welcome to the shake recipe, have you tried it yet?

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Actually, hearing changes are a fairly common side-effect of cisplatin, and several web-sites (e.g. that of M.D. Anderson) recommend against its use in patients with existing hearing issues (also, thise with existing kidney problems).

One paper states, "Ototoxicity has been observed in up to 31% of patients treated with a single dose of cisplatin 50 mg/m2, and is manifested by tinnitus and/or hearing loss in the high frequency range (4,000 to 8,000 Hz). Decreased ability to hear normal conversational tones may occur occasionally. Deafness after the initial dose of cisplatin has been reported rarely. Ototoxic effects may be more severe in children receiving cisplatin. Hearing loss can be unilateral or bilateral and tends to become more frequent and severe with repeated doses. Ototoxicity may be enhanced with prior or simultaneous cranial irradiation. It is unclear whether cisplatin induced ototoxicity is reversible. ...Careful monitoring of audiometry should be performed prior to initiation of therapy and prior to subsequent doses of cisplatin." Note that radiation exacerbated the problems. Cisplatin apparently causes damage to the cochlear hairs within the inner ear.

Another paper found serious hearing issues in about 25% of patients treated with cisplatin and radiation for nasopharyngeal cancer, and about 45% experienced some hearing problems during treatment.

Carboplatin has far less ototoxicity (though some has been reported) as well as far less nephrotoxicity. It does, however, cause depressed blood counts (as does cis-) and is also a strong emetic. My husband used Zofran and Anzemet as anti-nausea drugs, and says that his chemo was a "non-issue" compared to the physical demands of the radiation and its side-effects. I might add that his medical oncologist recommended 7 small doses (one a week) rather than 3 larger doses to further reduce side effects as well as maintain a more even concentration of the radiosensitizing drug.

Gail

Gail,

Thanks for the info, the more I read the more I would rather have the carbo. We'll see what my hearing test results are.

Tim Stoj

Stoj, I had 2 Cisplatins and I told my Chemo Dr re my hearing problems and he switched to Carboplatin. I also had 35 concurrent IMRT radiation treatments and like you was sick as a dog. My Rad Dr didn't give me a tube which I didn't want in the first place but I wish I had. I am 1 month out of treatment and have finally come out of that tunnel. I have gained back 5 pounds, take no meds and just have the non life threatning side effects to deal with; dry mouth, no taste and tired too soon. I now drink Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC which has 560 calories per 8 oz, a godsend.

Thanks, I'll look for the Carnation VHC. I have the regular already but not the VHC. Today has been a bad day for me. I was out of bed for my rad treatmnet only. I threw up my bfast, managed a small bowl of soup for lunch and a tube feeding for dinner. All in all probably less that 1,000 calories. Man this nausea is really kicking my butt.

Tim Stoj

Hey Tim it's great that you can still eat by mouth a bit. Don't force it. My Dad was having less then 700 cals a day with the tube.

Rest when you need to and stay hydrated!

Hey I haven't made that high cal drink yet; when I told my Dad about it he made a face at me ha ha; (well he's eating anyhow); and Tim I sure don't need to drink it LOL!

Keep up the good work; remember it will get better!

Lisa

Stoj, It's easier and cheaper if you order the VHC through your pharmacy, like Walgreens or CVS. They can get it by the case in a day or 2 but make sure you tell them VHC and 560 cal. You can also put that through the tube. Do the math, only 4 cans will give you plenty a day. I do 5 and I walk around stuffed all day. I do the vanilla and it's just like Ensure Plus but w/ 210 extra cals per can. The Nausea was my downfall also. I wish I had found the VHC much sooner. Good luck and get this stuff ASAP...it will make a positive difference.

A couple of quick updates:

I had my last chemo today; I had the carbo instead of the cisplat. My MO thought that given the tinnitus (sp) I still have occasionally he didn't want to risk my hearing any further and I agreed with that.

I only have 2 XRTs left and must admit from everything I've read here I'm more than a little concerned about the next coming weeks. It seems everyone had it the worst the weeks after XRT.

And to David I did buy the VHC stuff. I posted more in your great products message.

Tim Stoj