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MEK/TAF combo
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MEK/TAF combo

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › MEK/TAF combo

  • Post
    • October 1, 2017 at 6:26 pm
    jrtufo
    Participant

      For those of you on now or previously on (thank you trial folks!) the MEK TAF combo:  How long were the side effects with joint pain and inflamation with you?  Just started this combo and have already had to reduce the dosage due to skin reaction-now a week later I've got the joint and muscle pain…Trying to catch a break here!

      JTufo

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    • Replies
        • October 2, 2017 at 5:49 am
        sgreenberg
        Participant

          Hi, My wife (Stge IV, brain mets) has been on Taf/Mek on and off for over a year now. The side effects were by far worst in the first couple weeks/months. After that, she'd have occasional fevers and coughs which were controlled by taking a few days off the meds. Now, although she's only on a 3/4 dose in combo with Keytruda, there are really no side effects – some passing joint pain. So hang in there – it may quite possibly get better (and, most importantly, IT WORKS!).

            • October 2, 2017 at 5:39 pm
            Joannxbuc
            Participant

              Hi–could not figure out how to respond to the original question: sorry! I have been on regular does MEK/TAF for almost 6 months. I've had two scans which have showed good response–I have my 6 month scans next week (so wish me luck!). Anyhow right off, I had mild joint pains and some skins rashes (but the rashes were so much less that other drugs that I had been on (e.g., interferon, 1 dose of ipi/nivo) that it didn't seem like a big deal. For rashes I have used a skin cream, like CeraVe and then a Rx cortisone cream put one on top of each other. That actually worked really well. I really like, and is a recent Rx, a tub of stuff called IC Triamcinolone 0.1% which seems to be a mild cortisone and vasilene. The only real side effect I had was during month 3 I guess. I began to have rolling fevers (from 99-103+) off and on for long periods each day. The suggestion was to take tylenol and advil, drink water. The tylenol and advil worked a little, but not a lot. Then suddently, about 1 month ago, it all just stopped. So I've been fever free for 2 months–oddly enough have one today, but took 2 advils and it dropped to 100.

              Good luck with this–the fevers were troubling and I was a little blue about it, but they did go away and now have virtually no side effects.

              Best wishes and health, friend,

              JoAnn B

              • October 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm
              adrianc
              Participant

                Hi JoAnn, glad to hear  that your scans showed a good response on the MEK/TAF combo.Was the 1 dose Ipi/Nivo discontinued due to adverse  side effects or because you were non responder ?My other question is where is your current active disease as per your latest scans as your profile says stage unknown? Wishing you a continued success on your current treatment and good luck with your upcoming scans next week.

                • October 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm
                jrtufo
                Participant

                  Thanks-exactly what I needed to hear:)

                   

                • October 3, 2017 at 1:25 pm
                cancersnewnormal
                Participant

                  I'm an oddball mutation, but took MEK (no Taf) for a couple of months. I had a horrible skin rash. It didn't itch (thank goodness!), but looked HORRIBLE, fully covering my face, neck, and chest. From what I read, skin issues are a fairly common side effect. On a positive note, it did quite a number on my mets… and really quickly too!

                  • October 4, 2017 at 1:05 am
                  Christine.P
                  Participant

                    I've been on Taf/Mek for 4 months and periodically have the fever with chills but mostly have muscle and joint pain and fatigue. Some days are better than others, but the pain is there every day. Advil helps a little but doens't last. My oncologist is having me try medical marijuana to see if that helps. No one has told me that these side effects will go away, but hopefully with time, they will.

                      • October 9, 2017 at 6:34 pm
                      jrtufo
                      Participant

                        I didn't even think to try marijuana-duh, I live in Colorado so I have easy access, don't even need an RX.  I was doing lots of yoga which helped but then the fevers and fatigue kicked my butt and I haven't had the energy to reboot that.  Thanks for the feedback.

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