r/Ovariancancer • u/piscean_kitty • 3d ago

family/friend/caregiver Manage chemo meds side effects

Does anyone know anything about Endoxan and Etoposide meditation for oral chemo? The cancer reoccurrence happened within a few months of remission. And, now doctors are giving these medicines as maintenance chemotherapy. They cause horrible diarrhea to my mom and she is also not able to control it after surgery. Any recommendations or suggestions?

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u/drazil17 3d ago

I'm BRCA and HRD negative and I started avastin with the last of 6 chemo cycles.

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

Can you please share why did doctors prescribed it??

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u/drazil17 3d ago

It prevents the growth of blood vessels. Any stray cancer cells that start dividing and growing will not be able to grow into a tumor without a blood supply to feed it. No blood vessel, no food. No food, no tumor growth.

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u/piscean_kitty 2d ago edited 2d ago

They prescribed her Rukaparib. She couldn’t tolerate it well. So she didn’t take it regularly.

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u/drazil17 2d ago

While the PARP inhibitors are more effective for BRCA and HRD positive, my doctor said that there are some studies that show a benefit for those who are negative for those.

You can ask the doctors about bevacizumab, (avastin, mvasi). I would think they'll consider it, but there may be reasons it isn't appropriate for her.

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u/piscean_kitty 2d ago

If I remember correctly, docs had to stop bevacizmub. I don’t remember the reason. I think it was for thrombosis she has in her right arm caused by Chemo port. Or one time she got sudden fever and trembling.

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u/RemarkableArticle970 3d ago

Loperimide, ask her docs how much. They let me take twice as much as what it says on the box.

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

And, my mom is in India. Are you taking the same medicines for chemo?

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

I see..it’s the same as Imodium and which what doctors prescribed her. But she still is unable to manage it. It could be because of her age. She is 71

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u/RemarkableArticle970 3d ago

No I am not receiving those same drugs. I’m sorry she’s having so much trouble with diarrhea. I’m 71 and still on initial chemo.

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

I am guessing that won’t be oral tablets! In my mom’s case, the initial one was intravenous. I hope you’re taking it well.

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u/RemarkableArticle970 3d ago

Thanks friend, yes I’m on the IV chemo.

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u/SoupWorking2156 3d ago

Was your mom BRCA+?

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

Negative. Does that affect the treatment??

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u/SoupWorking2156 3d ago

Yes

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

Do you mind sharing how?? And, is that the reason for stomach issues??

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u/SoupWorking2156 3d ago

I have no clue about the stomach issues.

For BRCA+ patients, a maintenance therapy CD called PARP inhibitors are given once 6 cycles of chemo and debulking surgery is complete. That's the treatment difference between BRCA+ and BRCA- patients.

Did your mother get Avastin for maintenance? Can you get her tested for HRD?

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u/piscean_kitty 3d ago

HRD was negative too and no, no avastin

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u/SoupWorking2156 3d ago

Was she on Avastin during the first line of chemo?