Folfiri + Erbitux

[PaulC]

Hello everyone,

I have to confess that I am not much of a "poster" on the board but I do log on from time to time, mostly to discover new information.

As mi signature attests, I am a Stage IV, chemo-for-life person. Tumors in my liver (2 to be exact), 1/2 dozen or so lymph nodes and a couple ares in the luns.

However, all of the chemo I've had works for me. Started off on Folfox, did 12 infusions and everything was stable. Started Folfiri and the Erbitux in December. Again, everything is stable, no progression and some shrinkage also.

But, the effect of the Erbitux on my skin, well, that's another deal altogether. Rash on my arms, chest, legs, but, worst of all; ON MY SCALP. Feels like giant, encrusted scabs that itch, bleed sometimes are generally bad, bad, bad.

I'm seeing a dermatologist (I get my treatment at U of Pennsylvania, a great place by the way, if you live in the Philadelphia area and are not happy with your current provider, check with them for a 2nd opinion.) and have been given various lotions and potions with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Anybody have experience with scalp scabs? I gotta say, if it weren't for the scalp problems, I'd say I feel great. It's been 2 1/2 years now since I was first diagnosed. the cancer isn't killing me, the chemo is!

Thanks in advance for any help/advice anyone can give.

[Pita]

Hi Paul
I had 3 sessions of erbitux and had to stop it because it was disrupting my sleep and I was so miserable I was ready to give up on all treatments.
Scalp, face, neck and chest were affected, was put on antibiotics and the prescription cremes that burned so I wouldn't use them. OTC Cortisone 10 seemed to work the best but didn't last all night. If I knew then what I know now I would have tried cannibus to sleep.
First thing I would do is go buy some organic hair products, goat soap is very gentle to wash with and organic lotion. Most of the regular shampoos and conditioners have toxins in them. Then try the Cortisone and rub it on your head.
BTW I assume you know that the worse the rash is means it's working good!

Good luck to you (((Paul)))

[GrouseMan]

My wife is on a trial using Irrinotecan, Erbitux, and Avastin (likely) or Placebo. The rash she has was only on her face and neck, and the cream they gave her helped some, but then they put her on an antibiotic Cephalexin 500mg twice a day. That has helped a lot and she only really gets a mild break out the day following the infusion. This treatment has been really easy on her and seems to be affecting her peri mets. At least they appear stable so far and CEA is declining again. So far in the last three years she has tolerated what every they have given her really well. Only sustained side effect really that gets her down is fatigue! The rash now doesn't seem to faze her. Mild nausea with Folfiri and Avastin didn't slow her down, and FolFox and Avastin she also tolerated very well. She has been on chemo really without a break now for nearly three years.

Good Luck,
GrouseMan

[H is for Hawk]

I was prescribed ammonium lactate 12 per cent cream for crusted scalp lesions from a MSK dermatologist. This is a humactant that attracts water from the surrounding air, so the head will feel wet during use. The scalp lesions fell off after two days and I highly recommend this approach. You might want to cut off your hair, as this makes using scalp topicals much easier.

[BrownBagger]

I take minocycline on my chemo "off" weeks and it keeps the rash at bay. If I take antibiotics within a few days of a chemo infusion, I generally puke them back up. I've also used a topical gel, clindomycyn (sp), which needs a script. It helped. I've also had luck, mostly in the winter, by keeping my skin moist with Aleve Baby Eczema cream. I've been on Erbitux for probably 3 years, and I must say that skin issues come and go, and usually in a different form--from boils to intense itching to rash to whatever.