Tarceva, what are the first responses to it - 1260176

milotom
Posts:6

Hi all, my husband stage IV NSCLC started tarceva two weeks ago. He is young, fit, non-smoker. We are dismayed he is still coughing. The cough is distressing reminder, in fact the only reminder, of the disease. Can anyone in a similar situation in terms of age, health, share their experience of this drug and how quickly it worked? I guess we might have been naive in hoping it would wipe the cough pretty quickly.
Thankyou

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Reply # - October 29, 2013, 07:58 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hi milotom, I'm so sorry about your young husband. Some people respond quickly and their cough or pain goes away within a week or 2. But others take time, think long and slow, like a marathon. It's different for everyone so don't dismay that it isn't working.

We have an extensive forum on the topic of EGFR inhibitors. The topics run the gamut but all are experiences others have had. http://cancergrace.org/forum/cancer-treatments-symptom-management/egfr-…

Most people, including my husband get wrecked by the reminders of cancer they carry around with them. It's a mind game just to keep that a bay.

Best of luck,
Janine

Reply # - October 29, 2013, 09:17 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Yes, I've seen some patients who have a remarkable improvement within hours, but some of the patients who still do extremely well over a long time may not have a dramatic reversal or resolution of their symptoms within a week or two.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

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