Chemotherapy Side Effects of Avastin and Abraxane

We’ve had over 6 months of experience dealing with chemotherapy side effects.  The drugs April is on are Avastin and Abraxane, which “starve” the tumors of nutrients and stop their cells from growing and dividing, respectively.

These side effects are common to other drugs, too.  One thing I’ve learned is that the side effects are different for everyone, so don’t expect that these side effects will or won’t necessarily happen to you.

You can go to the Avastin and Abraxane websites yourself and learn more about the side effects that people have when they take them. But here’s what’s happened to April.

Abraxane stops cells from growing and dividing, as do other chemotherapy drugs.  So the cells of the body that normally divide and grow on a constant basis are strongly effected, creating the most common chemotherapy side effects.

 

  • Loss of hair on her head and of body hair (eyebrows, eyelashes, arm and leg hair, etc.)
  • Retracting of fingernails and toenails
  • Stomach irritation (your stomach lining is constantly renewing itself – this is what causes many people to have serious nause).

    • Other side effects

    • Slight tingling/loss of feeling/”pins & needles” at her fingertips
    • Slight loss of balance
    • Body aches (this is especially true when April gets shots for low red and white blood cell counts)
    • Head aches
    • Loss of energy
    • Nose bleeds
    • Dry skin
    • Drying of the mucous membranes
    • Loss of regular menstrual cycle

    { 2 comments… read them below or add one }

    1 Carolyn Harp September 10, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Thank You! I have had 3 Avastin and Abraxane chemos after 54 chemos for Ovarian Cancer. I was diagnosed 2 years and 4 months ago. My ca 125 went down 94 points in 30 days and I am doing great and planning on living 30 more healthy years and I am 71 now. The only systoms I see now are tiredness after the chemo and a little low in my red cell count. Blessings to you and April, Carolyn Harp

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    2 Mac September 11, 2011 at 7:38 am

    I’m pleased to hear that our blog was helpful to you, Carolyn. Blessings to you, too!

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