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TAF/MEK Combo
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TAF/MEK Combo

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › TAF/MEK Combo

  • Post
    • January 23, 2017 at 9:45 pm
    Jahendry12
    Participant

      First I want to thank you all for the tremendous sharing of information there is on this site.  I come here quite often to do research and obtain info.

      A few question for those of you that have been on this combo:

      1)  How long did it take for the side effects to beging?

      2) Has anyone ever had minimal side effects?

      My husband just started this combo over the weekend and I'm watching him like a hawk.

      Any info would be greatly appreciated.

      Thank you!

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
        Polymath
        Participant

          Hi There,

          You are doing the right thing to keep an eye on potential side-effects, but keep in mind everyone seems to be different.  The TAF/MEK combo for me was a breeze, virtually no side-effects, but it also appeared to have little effect.  Brought stablility for 4-5 months, before I progressed again.  Prior to TAF/MEK I did Zelboraf, another BRAF inhibitor.  I got every side-effect in the book.  It was the most miserable 3-months of my life, and although it worked very quickly, I mean days not weeks, I also progressed on it after a brief 3-months.  Bottom line, my experirince seems to support the notion that side-effects equal response so while you watch for any extreme adverse reactions, be mindful that they could be good signs that the drugs are working.

          • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
          Polymath
          Participant

            Hi There,

            You are doing the right thing to keep an eye on potential side-effects, but keep in mind everyone seems to be different.  The TAF/MEK combo for me was a breeze, virtually no side-effects, but it also appeared to have little effect.  Brought stablility for 4-5 months, before I progressed again.  Prior to TAF/MEK I did Zelboraf, another BRAF inhibitor.  I got every side-effect in the book.  It was the most miserable 3-months of my life, and although it worked very quickly, I mean days not weeks, I also progressed on it after a brief 3-months.  Bottom line, my experirince seems to support the notion that side-effects equal response so while you watch for any extreme adverse reactions, be mindful that they could be good signs that the drugs are working.

            • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
            Polymath
            Participant

              Hi There,

              You are doing the right thing to keep an eye on potential side-effects, but keep in mind everyone seems to be different.  The TAF/MEK combo for me was a breeze, virtually no side-effects, but it also appeared to have little effect.  Brought stablility for 4-5 months, before I progressed again.  Prior to TAF/MEK I did Zelboraf, another BRAF inhibitor.  I got every side-effect in the book.  It was the most miserable 3-months of my life, and although it worked very quickly, I mean days not weeks, I also progressed on it after a brief 3-months.  Bottom line, my experirince seems to support the notion that side-effects equal response so while you watch for any extreme adverse reactions, be mindful that they could be good signs that the drugs are working.

              • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
              Kristi A.
              Participant

                Hello! I don't want to freak you out or anything but the side effects for me were terrible. I only lasted nine days on the combo. I felt fine the first few days…just some nausea.  By the 6th day I was experiencing high fevers/chills, joint pain, severe rash, headaches, swelling in hand/feet, fast heart rate (tachycardia…which still hasn't resolved), inside of mouth and lips sore to the point that I couldn't eat. On the ninth day I collapsed at home in front of my ten year old daughter. I was hospitalized for three days to try to get the side effects under control. Oncologist told me I had a bad reaction to the meds and he took me off them. I know that everyone responds differently so I hope the side effects are manageable for your husband and it doesn't hit him too hard. And of course…i hope he has an amazing reponse! If he starts having bad side effects, don't be afraid to call your oncologist. 

                  • January 23, 2017 at 10:56 pm
                  Kristi A.
                  Participant

                    Totally forgot to mention the good part…it shrunk a couple of my lung tumors and kept my axillary node stable. So even after only nine days I had a response. 

                    • January 23, 2017 at 10:56 pm
                    Kristi A.
                    Participant

                      Totally forgot to mention the good part…it shrunk a couple of my lung tumors and kept my axillary node stable. So even after only nine days I had a response. 

                      • January 23, 2017 at 10:56 pm
                      Kristi A.
                      Participant

                        Totally forgot to mention the good part…it shrunk a couple of my lung tumors and kept my axillary node stable. So even after only nine days I had a response. 

                      • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
                      Kristi A.
                      Participant

                        Hello! I don't want to freak you out or anything but the side effects for me were terrible. I only lasted nine days on the combo. I felt fine the first few days…just some nausea.  By the 6th day I was experiencing high fevers/chills, joint pain, severe rash, headaches, swelling in hand/feet, fast heart rate (tachycardia…which still hasn't resolved), inside of mouth and lips sore to the point that I couldn't eat. On the ninth day I collapsed at home in front of my ten year old daughter. I was hospitalized for three days to try to get the side effects under control. Oncologist told me I had a bad reaction to the meds and he took me off them. I know that everyone responds differently so I hope the side effects are manageable for your husband and it doesn't hit him too hard. And of course…i hope he has an amazing reponse! If he starts having bad side effects, don't be afraid to call your oncologist. 

                        • January 23, 2017 at 10:54 pm
                        Kristi A.
                        Participant

                          Hello! I don't want to freak you out or anything but the side effects for me were terrible. I only lasted nine days on the combo. I felt fine the first few days…just some nausea.  By the 6th day I was experiencing high fevers/chills, joint pain, severe rash, headaches, swelling in hand/feet, fast heart rate (tachycardia…which still hasn't resolved), inside of mouth and lips sore to the point that I couldn't eat. On the ninth day I collapsed at home in front of my ten year old daughter. I was hospitalized for three days to try to get the side effects under control. Oncologist told me I had a bad reaction to the meds and he took me off them. I know that everyone responds differently so I hope the side effects are manageable for your husband and it doesn't hit him too hard. And of course…i hope he has an amazing reponse! If he starts having bad side effects, don't be afraid to call your oncologist. 

                          • January 24, 2017 at 6:53 pm
                          Mat
                          Participant

                            Minimal side effects for me.

                            • January 24, 2017 at 6:53 pm
                            Mat
                            Participant

                              Minimal side effects for me.

                              • January 24, 2017 at 6:53 pm
                              Mat
                              Participant

                                Minimal side effects for me.

                                • January 25, 2017 at 6:20 pm
                                Jahendry12
                                Participant

                                  Thank you all for your responses.  Much appreciated.

                                  • January 25, 2017 at 6:20 pm
                                  Jahendry12
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you all for your responses.  Much appreciated.

                                    • January 25, 2017 at 6:20 pm
                                    Jahendry12
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you all for your responses.  Much appreciated.

                                  Viewing 11 reply threads
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