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Dabrafenib and Trametinib
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Dabrafenib and Trametinib

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Dabrafenib and Trametinib

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    • February 28, 2019 at 5:04 am
    Anni
    Participant

      Hi all, thank you in advance for any input. My sister is 6 months into her treatment on Dabrafenib and Trametinib, she had 4 days off treatment due to an index, however since going back on is experiencing some nasty effects this time, more Severe than before. Approximately 5 hours after taking morning and evening dose, she starts with extreme shaking, followed by vomiting then fever and headache. Has anyone else experience of this. Many thanks 

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        • February 28, 2019 at 10:36 am
        skfitz
        Participant

          Hi Anni,

          This sounds exactly like my husband's experience. He only made it about 2 weeks before the rigors and sever fevers kicked in. His fevers hoverd consistently at 102 – 104, even reaching 105 a couple of times. The doctor reduced his Darafenib from the usual 150 twice a day, down to 100, and now down to 75. He also had to go on prednisone right away because he couldn't even tolerate the 75mg. The steroids helped right away. As an aside, Motrin and Tylenol did nothing for him. I gave it to him around the clock and it didn't touch his fevers or aches. So he was up to 30mg of prednisone at one point and is currently trying to taper. He was down to 15mg prednisone but then got sick again when we tried to raise the Dabrafenib a little. So it's been lots of ups and downs and lots of frustration. I would definitely ask your doc about steroids and dose reduction and see what they say. It hasn't been perfect but my husband has gotten some 3 and 4 week fever-free runs out of it. We are now focusing on intermittent dosing to help him better tolerate the pills. That might be something your sister wants to look into at some point (though there's no real directions on how to do it so it can feel risky). I wish you and your sister the very best and hope you find something that helps her soon. I'm still searching daily for my husband. 

          -Shannon

            • February 28, 2019 at 6:06 pm
            Anni
            Participant

              Thank you Shannon for taking the time to respond to me, I will pass on all of your information and we can discuss it with her doctor at the next appointment. I wish your husband well with his treatment and you in your care of him. Take care

            • February 28, 2019 at 2:45 pm
            Shannon39
            Participant
              I am on these drugs as well (started in Oct.) and experience the symptoms you have mentioned. When fever hits you are to go off the drugs and not go back on them until you have been fever free for 24 hrs, at least that’s what my oncologist has advised. Usually when this happens to me my oncologist sends me for bloodwork which shows my liver enzymes are high. She keeps me off the drugs until they return to normal (takes at least 2 weeks). My dose keeps getting reduced in hopes that the fevers will stop. Soon I won’t be taking much of either drug as it keeps getting reduced and fever keeps happening. I would suggest having some bloodwork done to see what’s going on.
              Shannon
                • February 28, 2019 at 6:04 pm
                Anni
                Participant

                  Thank you very much for taking the time to respond, she will take comfort in the fact that she is not alone. I wish you well with your treatment Shannon

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