Dabrafenib/MEK combo fevers, chills
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Dabrafenib/MEK combo fevers, chills

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Dabrafenib/MEK combo fevers, chills

  • Post
    • October 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm
    awillett1991
    Participant
    I started dabrafenib about a month ago, then added the Mekinist 2 weeks ago. I was fine, only slight side effects, on the dab, but the MEK has reduced my quality of life to 0. Either fever or chills, cannot get out of bed, Aleve & Tylenol don’t help. I am off it all for the weekend as my Dr is out of town.

    Thanks,
    Amy

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 12, 2013 at 3:55 pm
      Harry in Fair Oaks
      Participant

      I have been on the this combo through the GSK trial for 2-1/2 years.  At the beginning (first couple of months), I had lots of high fever/chills/shakes/sweating (when fever broke).  Usually this was controllable with ibuprofen – sometimes I took ibu an hour before the drugs to ward off the fever, and I think that helped..  My body must have adjusted to the drugs, because I have not had a fever episode for at least 1-1/2 years.

      Best wishes,

      Harry

      • October 12, 2013 at 3:55 pm
      Harry in Fair Oaks
      Participant

      I have been on the this combo through the GSK trial for 2-1/2 years.  At the beginning (first couple of months), I had lots of high fever/chills/shakes/sweating (when fever broke).  Usually this was controllable with ibuprofen – sometimes I took ibu an hour before the drugs to ward off the fever, and I think that helped..  My body must have adjusted to the drugs, because I have not had a fever episode for at least 1-1/2 years.

      Best wishes,

      Harry

        • October 12, 2013 at 5:08 pm
        DonnaK
        Participant

        Amy, I think your response is fairly common.  My husbands oncologist at MSKCC will not prescribe him with the combination as the first three patients they dosed the combination to had similar responses (high fever).   That being said, I think someone else posted recently that after they got past the first episode, they didn't have additional problems…

        Donna

        • October 12, 2013 at 5:08 pm
        DonnaK
        Participant

        Amy, I think your response is fairly common.  My husbands oncologist at MSKCC will not prescribe him with the combination as the first three patients they dosed the combination to had similar responses (high fever).   That being said, I think someone else posted recently that after they got past the first episode, they didn't have additional problems…

        Donna

        • October 12, 2013 at 5:08 pm
        DonnaK
        Participant

        Amy, I think your response is fairly common.  My husbands oncologist at MSKCC will not prescribe him with the combination as the first three patients they dosed the combination to had similar responses (high fever).   That being said, I think someone else posted recently that after they got past the first episode, they didn't have additional problems…

        Donna

      • October 12, 2013 at 3:55 pm
      Harry in Fair Oaks
      Participant

      I have been on the this combo through the GSK trial for 2-1/2 years.  At the beginning (first couple of months), I had lots of high fever/chills/shakes/sweating (when fever broke).  Usually this was controllable with ibuprofen – sometimes I took ibu an hour before the drugs to ward off the fever, and I think that helped..  My body must have adjusted to the drugs, because I have not had a fever episode for at least 1-1/2 years.

      Best wishes,

      Harry

      • October 12, 2013 at 6:11 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Thanks y’all, I appreciate your feedback. They have me on a prednisone but it isn’t helping. I’ve missed 2 doses and this morning woke up feeling so good, I am also in a lot of pain recovering from cardiac surgery. Mel is wearing this girl down.
      Amy
      • October 12, 2013 at 6:11 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Thanks y’all, I appreciate your feedback. They have me on a prednisone but it isn’t helping. I’ve missed 2 doses and this morning woke up feeling so good, I am also in a lot of pain recovering from cardiac surgery. Mel is wearing this girl down.
      Amy
      • October 12, 2013 at 6:11 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      Thanks y’all, I appreciate your feedback. They have me on a prednisone but it isn’t helping. I’ve missed 2 doses and this morning woke up feeling so good, I am also in a lot of pain recovering from cardiac surgery. Mel is wearing this girl down.
      Amy
      • October 12, 2013 at 8:56 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      OMG!!  I came here today to post about chills and fever to see if anyone else was having these side effects.  It's been brutal for me.  I could not stop shivering last night.  I turned the heat up to 85 degrees and had just about every blanket I owned on me.  I've been sleeping a lot too.  I basically have to force myself to stay awake during the day.  The chills and shivering just started for me about 2 days ago.  Just a slight fever so I'm gonna try some over the counter medicine, maybe that will help.  I take my MEK in the morning.  Maybe I'll switch to taking it in the evening that way it won;t hit me until the next day.  I know the MEK is working so I don't want to stop taking it.  I guess it's a trade off with the dang side effects.  Let us know what your doctor says and what he recommends taking to help.  Sorry your going through this, I know first hand how back it sux.  

      Take care Amy, hang in there.  Sounds like this may be a temporary thing we have to deal with.

      All my best to you

      Denise

      • October 12, 2013 at 8:56 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      OMG!!  I came here today to post about chills and fever to see if anyone else was having these side effects.  It's been brutal for me.  I could not stop shivering last night.  I turned the heat up to 85 degrees and had just about every blanket I owned on me.  I've been sleeping a lot too.  I basically have to force myself to stay awake during the day.  The chills and shivering just started for me about 2 days ago.  Just a slight fever so I'm gonna try some over the counter medicine, maybe that will help.  I take my MEK in the morning.  Maybe I'll switch to taking it in the evening that way it won;t hit me until the next day.  I know the MEK is working so I don't want to stop taking it.  I guess it's a trade off with the dang side effects.  Let us know what your doctor says and what he recommends taking to help.  Sorry your going through this, I know first hand how back it sux.  

      Take care Amy, hang in there.  Sounds like this may be a temporary thing we have to deal with.

      All my best to you

      Denise

        • October 12, 2013 at 9:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Denise – my fever is not bad, 101.8 so far, the chills, Awful!!! try an old fashioned plug in heating pad. I say this not to scare you but I woke up the other morning shaking so hard I could not feed myself. Also my liver ALP is up to the 400s which is a little weird but I got liver toxicity when he tried me on Ipi & Zel and ended up in the hospital. Blech. on 10 mg pred which I’m supposed to start tomorrow so I will go ahead w that.
        • October 12, 2013 at 9:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Denise – my fever is not bad, 101.8 so far, the chills, Awful!!! try an old fashioned plug in heating pad. I say this not to scare you but I woke up the other morning shaking so hard I could not feed myself. Also my liver ALP is up to the 400s which is a little weird but I got liver toxicity when he tried me on Ipi & Zel and ended up in the hospital. Blech. on 10 mg pred which I’m supposed to start tomorrow so I will go ahead w that.
        • October 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Hope you are feeling better soon – you are such a fighter!!!
        • October 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Hope you are feeling better soon – you are such a fighter!!!
        • October 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Hope you are feeling better soon – you are such a fighter!!!
        • October 12, 2013 at 10:23 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        Hi Amy,

        My fever is not bad either, just under 100, 99.6-99.8.  Last night was like you decribed shaking so bad I couldn't stop.  When are you taking your MEK?  I thought if I changed the timing but I don't want to wake up shivering/shaking.  I took a couple of aspirin today so far and will take a couple more later.  Maybe that'll work.

        And UMMMM talk about a fighter!  You have been through A LOT!!!  I admire your strength and courage.

        • October 12, 2013 at 10:23 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        Hi Amy,

        My fever is not bad either, just under 100, 99.6-99.8.  Last night was like you decribed shaking so bad I couldn't stop.  When are you taking your MEK?  I thought if I changed the timing but I don't want to wake up shivering/shaking.  I took a couple of aspirin today so far and will take a couple more later.  Maybe that'll work.

        And UMMMM talk about a fighter!  You have been through A LOT!!!  I admire your strength and courage.

        • October 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Well we’ll just form the mutual survivors admiration society! I took it before dinner and chills started evenings only but the last day and a half from fever/chills/sweats round and round and I also decided I couldn’t take it. I have my limits. Ribs hurt like h@@@ from cardiac surgery and busted a bunch of stitches coughing. Cough is leftover from pd1 and no one can get rid of.

        Just need to talk to my dr or his nurse. Need to get back on – have 2 brain mets untreated. Will speak w them Mon.

        • October 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Well we’ll just form the mutual survivors admiration society! I took it before dinner and chills started evenings only but the last day and a half from fever/chills/sweats round and round and I also decided I couldn’t take it. I have my limits. Ribs hurt like h@@@ from cardiac surgery and busted a bunch of stitches coughing. Cough is leftover from pd1 and no one can get rid of.

        Just need to talk to my dr or his nurse. Need to get back on – have 2 brain mets untreated. Will speak w them Mon.

        • October 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Well we’ll just form the mutual survivors admiration society! I took it before dinner and chills started evenings only but the last day and a half from fever/chills/sweats round and round and I also decided I couldn’t take it. I have my limits. Ribs hurt like h@@@ from cardiac surgery and busted a bunch of stitches coughing. Cough is leftover from pd1 and no one can get rid of.

        Just need to talk to my dr or his nurse. Need to get back on – have 2 brain mets untreated. Will speak w them Mon.

        • October 12, 2013 at 10:23 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        Hi Amy,

        My fever is not bad either, just under 100, 99.6-99.8.  Last night was like you decribed shaking so bad I couldn't stop.  When are you taking your MEK?  I thought if I changed the timing but I don't want to wake up shivering/shaking.  I took a couple of aspirin today so far and will take a couple more later.  Maybe that'll work.

        And UMMMM talk about a fighter!  You have been through A LOT!!!  I admire your strength and courage.

        • October 12, 2013 at 9:29 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Denise – my fever is not bad, 101.8 so far, the chills, Awful!!! try an old fashioned plug in heating pad. I say this not to scare you but I woke up the other morning shaking so hard I could not feed myself. Also my liver ALP is up to the 400s which is a little weird but I got liver toxicity when he tried me on Ipi & Zel and ended up in the hospital. Blech. on 10 mg pred which I’m supposed to start tomorrow so I will go ahead w that.
      • October 12, 2013 at 8:56 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      OMG!!  I came here today to post about chills and fever to see if anyone else was having these side effects.  It's been brutal for me.  I could not stop shivering last night.  I turned the heat up to 85 degrees and had just about every blanket I owned on me.  I've been sleeping a lot too.  I basically have to force myself to stay awake during the day.  The chills and shivering just started for me about 2 days ago.  Just a slight fever so I'm gonna try some over the counter medicine, maybe that will help.  I take my MEK in the morning.  Maybe I'll switch to taking it in the evening that way it won;t hit me until the next day.  I know the MEK is working so I don't want to stop taking it.  I guess it's a trade off with the dang side effects.  Let us know what your doctor says and what he recommends taking to help.  Sorry your going through this, I know first hand how back it sux.  

      Take care Amy, hang in there.  Sounds like this may be a temporary thing we have to deal with.

      All my best to you

      Denise

      • October 13, 2013 at 1:04 am
      Aussielyn
      Participant
      Hang in there Amy! I’ve also been through the fevers , chills , shocking feet & leg pain & mouth ulcers ie generally feeling like you know what! After a 5 day break from trametinib & a 10 day break from dabrafenib I start again tomorrow on the combination but 100mg less dose of dabrafenib. I’m also going to take prednisone for 15 days to see if that helps with side effects! It’s all trial & error for me at the present time. Must say it was so nice feeling like a normal person when I was on the break! Do hope your symptoms subside – take care not to become dehydrated as that happened to me when the fevers & headaches hit. Take care,
      Best wishes,
      Lyn
      • October 13, 2013 at 1:04 am
      Aussielyn
      Participant
      Hang in there Amy! I’ve also been through the fevers , chills , shocking feet & leg pain & mouth ulcers ie generally feeling like you know what! After a 5 day break from trametinib & a 10 day break from dabrafenib I start again tomorrow on the combination but 100mg less dose of dabrafenib. I’m also going to take prednisone for 15 days to see if that helps with side effects! It’s all trial & error for me at the present time. Must say it was so nice feeling like a normal person when I was on the break! Do hope your symptoms subside – take care not to become dehydrated as that happened to me when the fevers & headaches hit. Take care,
      Best wishes,
      Lyn
        • October 13, 2013 at 4:49 am
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Lyn,

        I’d love to hear what does/ doesn’t work for you if you don’t mind PM ing me or posting. The mouth ulcers and joint/foot/leg pain are not so bad, but I was already on 5 mg pred when I started and also neurotonin due to severe neuropathy in one leg that crept up during pd1. Leg would be so numb I was afraid I’d fall. Much better now. Things do taste funny though! Thanks for chiming in! It is so very helpful to know I am not alone AND you can get used to it. I have 3 school age kids and want to live as long as possible for them.

        Amy

        • October 13, 2013 at 4:49 am
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Lyn,

        I’d love to hear what does/ doesn’t work for you if you don’t mind PM ing me or posting. The mouth ulcers and joint/foot/leg pain are not so bad, but I was already on 5 mg pred when I started and also neurotonin due to severe neuropathy in one leg that crept up during pd1. Leg would be so numb I was afraid I’d fall. Much better now. Things do taste funny though! Thanks for chiming in! It is so very helpful to know I am not alone AND you can get used to it. I have 3 school age kids and want to live as long as possible for them.

        Amy

        • October 13, 2013 at 4:49 am
        awillett1991
        Participant
        Lyn,

        I’d love to hear what does/ doesn’t work for you if you don’t mind PM ing me or posting. The mouth ulcers and joint/foot/leg pain are not so bad, but I was already on 5 mg pred when I started and also neurotonin due to severe neuropathy in one leg that crept up during pd1. Leg would be so numb I was afraid I’d fall. Much better now. Things do taste funny though! Thanks for chiming in! It is so very helpful to know I am not alone AND you can get used to it. I have 3 school age kids and want to live as long as possible for them.

        Amy

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:01 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Oh Amy, I am SO sorry you're going through this.  it's interesting that I barely have any side-effects at all on the combo drug but suffered so with Zel.  I'm just beginning to stop my final 1 mg. of dex–I'm sooo tired.  I'm looking forward to walking up the steps again!

        You, my friend, are the true trooper here…you've just been through so much but continue to cheer the rest of us on.  YOU are fantastic, and YOU are going to be there for your kids.  We're so far along…I feel like we've come so far that we just HAVE to make it!

        Your kids are younger than mine—mine are 23 and 25..but there's always something to long for, wish for, and to pray for with them.  I pray that the medical advances and therapies that have been made in the past couple of years come even quicker for us all, and that we all get to live long, happy lives for us and our families.

        Karen

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        One more thing…I've been on Fluconazole for the major thrush and horrible taste and it's helped a lot. 

        • October 17, 2013 at 4:19 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant

        Thanks Karen you are so sweet, I'm glad for any tips and you are so sweet, I'm glad you are on the upswing!! 2 days in the hospital and Dr says we are Done w the MEK.  Will restart the dabrafenib after I recover a little more.

        Amy

        • October 17, 2013 at 4:19 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant

        Thanks Karen you are so sweet, I'm glad for any tips and you are so sweet, I'm glad you are on the upswing!! 2 days in the hospital and Dr says we are Done w the MEK.  Will restart the dabrafenib after I recover a little more.

        Amy

        • October 17, 2013 at 4:19 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant

        Thanks Karen you are so sweet, I'm glad for any tips and you are so sweet, I'm glad you are on the upswing!! 2 days in the hospital and Dr says we are Done w the MEK.  Will restart the dabrafenib after I recover a little more.

        Amy

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        One more thing…I've been on Fluconazole for the major thrush and horrible taste and it's helped a lot. 

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        One more thing…I've been on Fluconazole for the major thrush and horrible taste and it's helped a lot. 

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:01 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Oh Amy, I am SO sorry you're going through this.  it's interesting that I barely have any side-effects at all on the combo drug but suffered so with Zel.  I'm just beginning to stop my final 1 mg. of dex–I'm sooo tired.  I'm looking forward to walking up the steps again!

        You, my friend, are the true trooper here…you've just been through so much but continue to cheer the rest of us on.  YOU are fantastic, and YOU are going to be there for your kids.  We're so far along…I feel like we've come so far that we just HAVE to make it!

        Your kids are younger than mine—mine are 23 and 25..but there's always something to long for, wish for, and to pray for with them.  I pray that the medical advances and therapies that have been made in the past couple of years come even quicker for us all, and that we all get to live long, happy lives for us and our families.

        Karen

        • October 16, 2013 at 8:01 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Oh Amy, I am SO sorry you're going through this.  it's interesting that I barely have any side-effects at all on the combo drug but suffered so with Zel.  I'm just beginning to stop my final 1 mg. of dex–I'm sooo tired.  I'm looking forward to walking up the steps again!

        You, my friend, are the true trooper here…you've just been through so much but continue to cheer the rest of us on.  YOU are fantastic, and YOU are going to be there for your kids.  We're so far along…I feel like we've come so far that we just HAVE to make it!

        Your kids are younger than mine—mine are 23 and 25..but there's always something to long for, wish for, and to pray for with them.  I pray that the medical advances and therapies that have been made in the past couple of years come even quicker for us all, and that we all get to live long, happy lives for us and our families.

        Karen

      • October 13, 2013 at 1:04 am
      Aussielyn
      Participant
      Hang in there Amy! I’ve also been through the fevers , chills , shocking feet & leg pain & mouth ulcers ie generally feeling like you know what! After a 5 day break from trametinib & a 10 day break from dabrafenib I start again tomorrow on the combination but 100mg less dose of dabrafenib. I’m also going to take prednisone for 15 days to see if that helps with side effects! It’s all trial & error for me at the present time. Must say it was so nice feeling like a normal person when I was on the break! Do hope your symptoms subside – take care not to become dehydrated as that happened to me when the fevers & headaches hit. Take care,
      Best wishes,
      Lyn
      • March 14, 2014 at 5:39 pm
      wayna
      Participant

      Hello there,

      Are Aleve & Tylenol all the doctors giving you to control your fever?  Has anyone else being told take anything else to control high fever?

      thanks,

      Wayna

      • March 14, 2014 at 5:39 pm
      wayna
      Participant

      Hello there,

      Are Aleve & Tylenol all the doctors giving you to control your fever?  Has anyone else being told take anything else to control high fever?

      thanks,

      Wayna

      • March 14, 2014 at 5:39 pm
      wayna
      Participant

      Hello there,

      Are Aleve & Tylenol all the doctors giving you to control your fever?  Has anyone else being told take anything else to control high fever?

      thanks,

      Wayna

        • September 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
        Fieldbc
        Participant

        I started taking Debrafenib and Mekinist approximately six weeks ago. I had absolutely no issues for the first five weeks. The last week I've had the worst headaches, on and off fevers and chills that would make me shake uncontrollably. My Nurse said to try Excedrin for side effects. I tried Advil, Tylynol and Excedrin with no luck. My Oncologist is taking me off Debraf/Mek for four days. Not sure what her plans are after that. It sucks too cause my LDH went from 2800 prior to taking targeted therapy drugs to 580 three weeks after starting them. Hopefully she can figure out a better dosage or something. Sorry I wasn't much help Wayna

         

        Sincerely, 

        Brett

        • September 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
        Fieldbc
        Participant

        I started taking Debrafenib and Mekinist approximately six weeks ago. I had absolutely no issues for the first five weeks. The last week I've had the worst headaches, on and off fevers and chills that would make me shake uncontrollably. My Nurse said to try Excedrin for side effects. I tried Advil, Tylynol and Excedrin with no luck. My Oncologist is taking me off Debraf/Mek for four days. Not sure what her plans are after that. It sucks too cause my LDH went from 2800 prior to taking targeted therapy drugs to 580 three weeks after starting them. Hopefully she can figure out a better dosage or something. Sorry I wasn't much help Wayna

         

        Sincerely, 

        Brett

        • September 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
        Fieldbc
        Participant

        I started taking Debrafenib and Mekinist approximately six weeks ago. I had absolutely no issues for the first five weeks. The last week I've had the worst headaches, on and off fevers and chills that would make me shake uncontrollably. My Nurse said to try Excedrin for side effects. I tried Advil, Tylynol and Excedrin with no luck. My Oncologist is taking me off Debraf/Mek for four days. Not sure what her plans are after that. It sucks too cause my LDH went from 2800 prior to taking targeted therapy drugs to 580 three weeks after starting them. Hopefully she can figure out a better dosage or something. Sorry I wasn't much help Wayna

         

        Sincerely, 

        Brett

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