Hi
Thought as we’d asked for this section, I’d better use it!!!
We had no internet from just after midnight on thurs/fri and as my memory is so poor, can’t remember what I said about my chemo visit thurs 26th feb!!!
The oncologist is going to see if I can have oral vineralbine on thursday after I get the results of mmy CT scan rather than the IV version as then I can take the 2nd weeks pill home with me and just phone up to make sure my bloods are OK before taking it. Then I would only need to go 3 weekly - that would be such bliss.
The decision rests with a financial bod and not anyone to do with oncology at all so they don’t even consider the cost of my transport, using the reciner chair all day, providing me with food and drinks and of course the oncologists and chemo nurses time and the pharmacy team!!! Complete waste of NHS resources again as it would work out cheaper then!!
Anyway, last time I had IV vineralbine I had terrible diarhoea which happens in about 20% of people nd the other 80% get constipation.
How have others got on with oral vineralbine tablets? Does it cause acid reflux problems or bowel problems than the IV one.
It would be so blissful to only have to go once in 3 weeks as for the second dose with the tablet I only need to phone to get blood results as they would have given me the second week’s tablet to take at home but I’m worried about the worsening of my gut problems.
Thanks
Kate
HI Kate
Can’t help you at all with info about oral vineralbine but just wanted to say I hope you can get it! As someone who works for the NHS, I recognise only too well the lack of joined up thinking when it comes to costing something. Only the immediate costs are taken into consideration let alone what would be termed the hidden costs.
Fingers crossed. Kay x
Hi Kate
As you know I’m on IV vinorelbine though my onc did talk about oral vinorelbine with me (decided to go with IV as I’d so relatively recently had Hickman line put in!) She did tell me that gastric problems tend to be worse on oral v. but don’t know more than that.
I don’t find constipation too bad on IV vinrelbine…take occasional moviecol only.
It will be nice to have more time off from your ghastly Thursdays so hope approval given for you.
Jane
I really hope that you get this approval Kate - I can tell you that they are really silly not considering the other costs having seen them all itemised for my insurer…its hundreds just to sit in the chair at a hospital for a morning.
cathyx
Hi Kate
I am due to start oral vineralbine next tuesday. I have previously been on cabcitebine for about 4 months which has kept my liver and lungs stable but my bones are acting up espescially rt hip which I have had radiotherapy to. Still waiting for it to work.
Anyway they said I would have to come to the hospital to get my blood done and then take the tablets. No suggestion of taking the second lot home. are you getting your blood done at the GP or are they going on the previous weeks results?
Maddison
I have taken oral vinorebline since october as my veins are so bad. No real problems once I had got the sickness worked out, am now on ondansetron and 4 dexamethasone one hour before chemo. I have my bloods done and see consultant every 3 weeks and then take 2 weeks of tablets home and have neulaster injection on day 8. Find i have a lot of infections, chest and UTI and colds. On cycle 8 now, and am going to have it indefinately until either it stops working or I can’t take it any more. Due to see onc tomorrow and think he will order new CT scan. last one showed vast improvemnet in all tumours, lining of heart, lungs and lymph nodes.
Marmite x