626Patient wrote:So we met with the onc today and he wanted to switch mum from Folfox + FUDR to Lonsurf + Avastin. About 2 weeks ago developed an issue with Folfox (Drop in Blood Pressure) which makes the ONC more hesitant to retry. Can anyone give some insight on Pros/ Cons with this specific treatment ? I was told adding Avastin is better.
John's oncologist said the same, that adding Avastin helps Lonsurf do a better job. Even the promotional material mentioned that Lonsurf is more effective with Avastin. He just started adding Avastin so he hasn't had his levels checked to see if it is helping, but fingers crossed! He was on Avastin for maintenance and it helped him be in remission for two years before this new spot popped up.
As for pros and cons, all I can offer is what John has experienced so far. One pro is that there is no ball of chemo that must be attached and carried around for 2-3 days. The timing is a little annoying, but that's because John has other meds. He has to take his GERD meds an 30 mins before he eats, then he takes Zofran after breakfast and must wait an hour to take the chemo pills. It's a lot of timing we have to watch in the morning to make sure it's all done before he goes to work, but in the evening it's just dinner, Zofran, an hour wait then chemo. You do that during the weekday for two weeks, then a two week break.
Another pro so far is that he hasn't had too many side effects, but it sounds like some people are hit harder than others so that might be 50/50. He just finished his third round, and just has some fatigue and loose stools.
As for the Avastin, he will need to get that via IV and it takes ~2 hours. That's every other week. It just makes John feel a little tired after. I wish I could provide more info!
