Back on Zelboraf after nearly 1 month break
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Back on Zelboraf after nearly 1 month break

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Back on Zelboraf after nearly 1 month break

  • Post
    • October 8, 2012 at 7:10 pm
    Tina D
    Participant

    After my "side effect" symptoms seemed to be getting increasingly less tolerable, I was put on a 1 week break from Z. During that time, it became obvious I was having gallbladder issues, and subsequently had my gb removed. Needed recovery time and was then given another 2 weeks off. After a total of nearly 4 weeks, I restarted Z last monday evening. So far, I have had minimal side effects.

    After my "side effect" symptoms seemed to be getting increasingly less tolerable, I was put on a 1 week break from Z. During that time, it became obvious I was having gallbladder issues, and subsequently had my gb removed. Needed recovery time and was then given another 2 weeks off. After a total of nearly 4 weeks, I restarted Z last monday evening. So far, I have had minimal side effects. Rash that has not progressed, Chicken skin (as someone on here calls it), minor joint achiness and a tiny bit of fatigue, and I have a few of those painful red nodules.I was pretty intimidated to be going back on after such a long break because of the difficult time I had been having with the side effects. No N/V thus far… wondering if perhaps it was the gallbladder issue causing me to be nauseated nearly constantly and throwing up or dry-heaves most days? I know I am only a week in, but so far I am very thankful to be feeling so well!! Enjoyed a weekend away with the family before starting back up smiley.

    Just thought I'd post an update…

    Tina

    PS…my hair had just started growing back due to the long break, so I will have to see if what little I have begins to fall out again! Also, food is tasting normal again with the long break! At any rate, it was over-all a nice break, even with the surgery.

Viewing 11 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 8, 2012 at 7:59 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Glad you are back on "Z".I have heard gallbladder issues tend to have a N?V issue for some people. As for getting your taste back I had lost taste to many foods Lasted about 6 months and then it returned to normal.Praying that your side effects are tolerale & the  "Z" works.  Beat the Beast.  Al

      • October 8, 2012 at 7:59 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Glad you are back on "Z".I have heard gallbladder issues tend to have a N?V issue for some people. As for getting your taste back I had lost taste to many foods Lasted about 6 months and then it returned to normal.Praying that your side effects are tolerale & the  "Z" works.  Beat the Beast.  Al

      • October 8, 2012 at 7:59 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Glad you are back on "Z".I have heard gallbladder issues tend to have a N?V issue for some people. As for getting your taste back I had lost taste to many foods Lasted about 6 months and then it returned to normal.Praying that your side effects are tolerale & the  "Z" works.  Beat the Beast.  Al

      • October 8, 2012 at 9:44 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Tina,

      Glad to hear things are going well so far for you. My hairdresser did tell me she saw stubble up there a couple of weeks ago and I do have some eyebrows back but they are a sorely disappointing lot! I am now 11 days off Zel and 1 week past my first Ipi infusion. The plan being to try to get at least three, hopefully four rounds of Ipi in before going back on Zel. I do wonder about going back on will be since it took me 4 mos to settle down with side effects the first time., so thanks so much for posting!

      Amy

      • October 8, 2012 at 9:44 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Tina,

      Glad to hear things are going well so far for you. My hairdresser did tell me she saw stubble up there a couple of weeks ago and I do have some eyebrows back but they are a sorely disappointing lot! I am now 11 days off Zel and 1 week past my first Ipi infusion. The plan being to try to get at least three, hopefully four rounds of Ipi in before going back on Zel. I do wonder about going back on will be since it took me 4 mos to settle down with side effects the first time., so thanks so much for posting!

      Amy

      • October 8, 2012 at 9:44 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Tina,

      Glad to hear things are going well so far for you. My hairdresser did tell me she saw stubble up there a couple of weeks ago and I do have some eyebrows back but they are a sorely disappointing lot! I am now 11 days off Zel and 1 week past my first Ipi infusion. The plan being to try to get at least three, hopefully four rounds of Ipi in before going back on Zel. I do wonder about going back on will be since it took me 4 mos to settle down with side effects the first time., so thanks so much for posting!

      Amy

      • October 11, 2012 at 11:10 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Very glad to hear that the gallbladder issues have been addressed and that you have recovered from the surgery.  I hope the Zelboraf kicks in for you without having the same level of side effects coming with it.

      Dick

      • October 11, 2012 at 11:10 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Very glad to hear that the gallbladder issues have been addressed and that you have recovered from the surgery.  I hope the Zelboraf kicks in for you without having the same level of side effects coming with it.

      Dick

      • October 11, 2012 at 11:10 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Very glad to hear that the gallbladder issues have been addressed and that you have recovered from the surgery.  I hope the Zelboraf kicks in for you without having the same level of side effects coming with it.

      Dick

      • October 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm
      Tina D
      Participant

      Thank you,

      I am now 3 weeks back on, and side effects seem to be ramping back up. I had many of those painful red nodules appear with accompanying low grade fever and chills/aches. They  have subsided over the last couple of days. I have had some N/V, but have only needed phenergan a few times. On the good side… my eyebrows have mostly grown back and my hair continues to be slowly returning for the time being. The bottoms of my feet have NOT been painful… I am thankful for that!! THe fatigue is manageable and I am back to naps on some days, but not too much.My joints are stiff and painful most mornings, but this subsides once I am up moving around. I am not nearly as photosensitive as I was, and am curious to see if this will also continue, because prior to this I could not be in the sun even a couple of minutes without burning. So… over-all…so far, pretty good! My oncologist has scheduled next scans for early in December…..

      Tina

      • October 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm
      Tina D
      Participant

      Thank you,

      I am now 3 weeks back on, and side effects seem to be ramping back up. I had many of those painful red nodules appear with accompanying low grade fever and chills/aches. They  have subsided over the last couple of days. I have had some N/V, but have only needed phenergan a few times. On the good side… my eyebrows have mostly grown back and my hair continues to be slowly returning for the time being. The bottoms of my feet have NOT been painful… I am thankful for that!! THe fatigue is manageable and I am back to naps on some days, but not too much.My joints are stiff and painful most mornings, but this subsides once I am up moving around. I am not nearly as photosensitive as I was, and am curious to see if this will also continue, because prior to this I could not be in the sun even a couple of minutes without burning. So… over-all…so far, pretty good! My oncologist has scheduled next scans for early in December…..

      Tina

      • October 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm
      Tina D
      Participant

      Thank you,

      I am now 3 weeks back on, and side effects seem to be ramping back up. I had many of those painful red nodules appear with accompanying low grade fever and chills/aches. They  have subsided over the last couple of days. I have had some N/V, but have only needed phenergan a few times. On the good side… my eyebrows have mostly grown back and my hair continues to be slowly returning for the time being. The bottoms of my feet have NOT been painful… I am thankful for that!! THe fatigue is manageable and I am back to naps on some days, but not too much.My joints are stiff and painful most mornings, but this subsides once I am up moving around. I am not nearly as photosensitive as I was, and am curious to see if this will also continue, because prior to this I could not be in the sun even a couple of minutes without burning. So… over-all…so far, pretty good! My oncologist has scheduled next scans for early in December…..

      Tina

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