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  • Post
    • January 20, 2015 at 11:18 pm
    Lauri England
    Participant

      I had a Dr appt last Thursday and found that the mass in my lung had increased in size by 30%.  I also learned I 5th rib on my left side is fractured due to Melanoma.  My doctor put me on Tafinlar + Mekinist.  I started this immediatly that day.  Now today it has been 5 days since I have been on the medication and the lump in my neck had decreased in size at least half and I can breath.  I go for my first blood work tomorrow.  I am feeling so much better.  I do have a nausea problem but I was having that before meds and I control with Zofran.  I am feeling very hopeful and actually see the doctor again next month unless I have any problems.  Thumbs up so far.  I would love to hear from anyone else that has tried this medication combination…

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    • Replies
        • January 21, 2015 at 1:54 am
        _Paul_
        Participant

          Hi Laurie,

          Sorry to hear you are back. I remember your posts from back when I got my initial Dx in the summer of 2012. I remember that you went through a heck of a struggle with Interferon!

          I have not tried the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo myself, since I am not BRAF positive.

          But many others on this board have shown a quick response to it, and its a great way to get your tumor load down before trying one of the new immunotherapy drugs (Yervoy or Opdivo/Keytruda). Is that your oncologist's plan, to start with the combo then move to immunotherapy?

          – Paul

          • January 21, 2015 at 1:54 am
          _Paul_
          Participant

            Hi Laurie,

            Sorry to hear you are back. I remember your posts from back when I got my initial Dx in the summer of 2012. I remember that you went through a heck of a struggle with Interferon!

            I have not tried the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo myself, since I am not BRAF positive.

            But many others on this board have shown a quick response to it, and its a great way to get your tumor load down before trying one of the new immunotherapy drugs (Yervoy or Opdivo/Keytruda). Is that your oncologist's plan, to start with the combo then move to immunotherapy?

            – Paul

            • January 21, 2015 at 1:54 am
            _Paul_
            Participant

              Hi Laurie,

              Sorry to hear you are back. I remember your posts from back when I got my initial Dx in the summer of 2012. I remember that you went through a heck of a struggle with Interferon!

              I have not tried the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo myself, since I am not BRAF positive.

              But many others on this board have shown a quick response to it, and its a great way to get your tumor load down before trying one of the new immunotherapy drugs (Yervoy or Opdivo/Keytruda). Is that your oncologist's plan, to start with the combo then move to immunotherapy?

              – Paul

              • January 21, 2015 at 11:00 am
              Mat
              Participant

                Lauri, I've been on the combo for approx 18 months with ipi in between.  I saw dramatic tumor reduction in the first 4 months or so and have been stable since.  Please see my prior posts and let me know if you have any other questions.

                • January 21, 2015 at 11:00 am
                Mat
                Participant

                  Lauri, I've been on the combo for approx 18 months with ipi in between.  I saw dramatic tumor reduction in the first 4 months or so and have been stable since.  Please see my prior posts and let me know if you have any other questions.

                  • January 21, 2015 at 11:00 am
                  Mat
                  Participant

                    Lauri, I've been on the combo for approx 18 months with ipi in between.  I saw dramatic tumor reduction in the first 4 months or so and have been stable since.  Please see my prior posts and let me know if you have any other questions.

                    • January 23, 2015 at 7:58 pm
                    MattF
                    Participant

                      That combo worked good some vomitting but ultimitely my melanoma found a way around it after 7 months.

                      I jumped to Yeroy then. in aug and now Keytruda in oct.

                       

                      i got fast response and vomitting with Taf/Mek

                      • January 23, 2015 at 7:58 pm
                      MattF
                      Participant

                        That combo worked good some vomitting but ultimitely my melanoma found a way around it after 7 months.

                        I jumped to Yeroy then. in aug and now Keytruda in oct.

                         

                        i got fast response and vomitting with Taf/Mek

                        • January 23, 2015 at 7:58 pm
                        MattF
                        Participant

                          That combo worked good some vomitting but ultimitely my melanoma found a way around it after 7 months.

                          I jumped to Yeroy then. in aug and now Keytruda in oct.

                           

                          i got fast response and vomitting with Taf/Mek

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