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Cytoxin Treatments

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Posted 2/12/2009 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Gretchen, Rhonda, and Sunny

I will be going into the hospital next Tuesday, Feb. 17th, to start getting my Cytoxin Treatments once again. The Oncologist who is going to give me the treatment says that I will be in the hospital at least 4 days because I have to get the IV every 8 hours for a while.

I am sort of puzzled at the time span between the treatments because at one time he said every 8 hours but as he was reading Dr. Stefosky's directions he was reading outloud to himself and he said every 12 hours so I am not sure how long in-between treatments or how many treatments I will have. I guess that will be straightened out Tuesday.

You lovely ladies take care and I will miss all of my friends here on the HealingWell MS Boards!

Love you ladies! You have become really special to me. :-)

Posted 2/12/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck Chuck! Sunny days are coming your way, my friend.

Hugs ~ Andrea
Posted 2/12/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Andrea. I hope you are right. Have seen too many cloudy days in my life lately. Thanks for the hug. That was so nice of you.
Posted 2/13/2009 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Chuckie

Take care and know we'll be thinking of u and hoping things go well for u. Please do let us know how u are and how the treatments have gone when u can. We're here in u'r corner friend. ;)
Posted 2/13/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Rhonda. I know you ladies are supporting all of us that have MS and we are very appreciative of you girls! I love alll of my Moderators here. Thanks again.
Posted 2/13/2009 5:12 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Chuck,

Hang in there.  My neuro loves cytoxan.  She says it is really effective in shutting down progressive MS.  She has many patients that start out on copaxone then start progressing and she puts them on a few rounds of Cytoxan, they stabilize then she puts them right back onto the copaxone.  It is a therapy she loves and has lots of success with.  You will do great. 

Posted 2/13/2009 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Chuck, I hope the cytoxin is really effective for you! Best wishes, and definitely keep us posted.

Sunny
Posted 2/13/2009 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TREATMENT. I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT DRUG, CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE about.   IRISH smurf
Posted 2/13/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)

Cytoxan is a chemotherapy infusion.  It is typically used for treating leukemias and lymphomas.  It is also used in treating autoimmune disorders such as vasculitis, lupus and MS.  It has the typical chemotherapy side effects.  Some hair loss, nausea, flu like chills that sort of thing.  It can cause a reduction in your immune system and so many have to take some time off from work.  In MS, it is considered a immunomodulator.  There is a limited lifetime dose of cytoxan for MS.  Many people take cytoxan for a year or two then return to a more traditional therapy such a copaxone.

Cytoxan is administered via IV at the hospital. 

Posted 2/13/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
This is what I found out from WebMD:
So far I have been lucky as I have not had any side effects but then again I have not been on Cytoxin for a year.

Cytoxan is a therapy that may be given to people with multiple sclerosis. It works by suppressing the immune system. It's given to people with MS because MS is thought to be the result of an abnormally active and misdirected, immune system. Cytoxan can keep your white blood cells from attacking your central nervous system, thereby slowing MS disease activity.
The medication is administered directly into a vein by way of an intravenous (IV) drip. Unfortunately, Cytoxan can produce serious side effects. Your neurologist will discuss the potential benefits and risks with you and your family. If you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your health care team.
What Are the Side Effects?
Cytoxan side effects may include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hair thinning/loss
• Low white blood cell count
To control nausea associated with Cytoxan therapy, your doctor will probably give you either Zofran or Reglan. Side effects may include:
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dry mouth
• Tired feeling
• Restlessness
Posted 2/13/2009 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Gretchen, Sunny and Rhonda
Thanks for all of your kind words and all of your support! Happy Valentine's Day to my lovely friends! You girls are great and I love you to pieces!
Posted 3/23/2009 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hello to all of my friends.

I feel as if I am getting better almost every day. It's just taken longer than I expected, probably because I am not very good at waiting for things any more. I do feel as if my eyesight is playing games with me as I have problems seeing all of the time. I have to get really close to the computer screen to read things now. Guess I should go back and see my eye doctor about that.

Anyway, you guys take care and I will hopefully catch up with you on the chat when I can. Love all of you guys! You are really great!
Posted 3/26/2009 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes! Even though I seem to feel a little better every day, I'm now losing what hair I had left on my head! Also, my blood-glucose level is pretty high, around 160 and I am hoping that is because of the treatment that I had. I really hope that comes down some soon because I don't need to go on insulin along with having this darn MS!

Later my friends! Hope you have a great weekend!
Posted 4/10/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Well, it is April 10th and I have been out of the hospital for almost 6 weeks now and have been back to work for 3 weeks. Some of the effects that I had from having the Cytoxan Treatments were:
What hair I had got thinner and grayer while I was in the hospital
After being at home for about a week and a half my hair started coming out but it has since stopped and hopefully jhas started to grow back.
I still feel the effects of the Chemo as I am not completely back to the way I would like to feel (of course we all know that none of us will ever feel that way).
I have trouble keeping my bladder from wanting to empty on its own (that can be embarrassing, especially at work).
I still get so exhausted every afternoon around 1:00.

One thing I didn't have was Nauseousness, Vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth or headaches from the treatment.
Posted 4/11/2009 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Chuck

Its good to hear from u! I hope these side effects will quickly subside and u'll be back to u'rself soon. Hang in there friend and please continue to let us know how u'r doing.
Posted 4/14/2009 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda,
Thanks my lovely friend. I wish I had more energy to be around more for the chats but I try to help my wife as much as I can because she does so much for me. She usually gets home around 5:00 Mountain Time and I know I would feel very guilty if I was on the computer while she was out taking care of the horse we have.

I sometimes feel like I am starting to feel ok and then I have a letdown to where I don't feel as if my energy level is where it should be. Hopefully that will start turning for the better as the weather gets better.

You take care my friend and I will be back when I can, I promise. Love all of my friends on here.
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