Second Cycle

[pumpkin_head]

As everyone usually says, second cycle is a bit worse than the first so far, not in terms of sickness but fatigue for sure. Acne is also a lot worse for me this time, especially on my scalp and up my nose it is actually quite painful but it died down after about 10 days last time so I hopeful that will go down in a few days time.

One main question I have though is how have people spotted Bleomycin problems other than the obvious cough and breathlessness? I have had reactions to most of my bleo doses so far in one way or another so I am trying to be vigilant of it. At the moment one thing concerning me is that my whole torso is extremley tender, especially at the front, is this anything to be worried about with respect to the lungs does anyone know?

Cheers

[pumpkin_head]

In addition my heart rate is always between 90-100 at the moment has anyone else experienced this as a form of Bleomycin reaction

[isitnaptime]

For Reese, it started with the cough and some darkening around his fingers (two possible signs of toxicity) toward the end of cycle #2. His oncologist sent him for another Pulmonary Function Test (he'd had a baseline test before starting). He was concerned about the mild/moderate decrease in Reese's lung capacity that the test picked up, and insisted on dropping the bleo from the last cycle. Reese had a lot of muscle/joint pain in his chest and arms, but this was unrelated to the bleo problems, as far as I know.

Reese's CT scan after finishing chemo did show some mild lung fibrosis, so I guess I'm glad we pulled it. Remember, pulmonary toxicity is very rare and even then not usually a problem until cycle 3 or 4, so chances are you are just fine. Definitely mention your symptoms to your doctor, so he/she can stay on top of it.

[isitnaptime]

Just wanted to add that there is a difference between a bleomycin reaction and bleomycin toxicity. A bleomycin reaction is the fever/chills thing which occurs soon after receiving the medication. Bleomycin toxicity, on the other hand, refers to a buildup of bleomycin in the body which causes skin rash and possible lung damage.

I don't think that being prone to a reaction means you're any more likely to eventually have toxicity/lung issues. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. :o

[pumpkin_head]

Hey there thanks for the reply. What is the skin rash like, as i have horrific Acne, as in the worst i have ever seen, especially on my scalp where you cant put your finger and not land on a spot, it is also all down my arms and back chest.

[Crimson617]

I had acne on my face, neck, and chest during my treatment. My nurse and oncologist said that it was caused by the decadron (steroid), though it's certainly possible that bleo could have been the cause. I also had the darkening around my fingers and toes, but actually never felt any side effects with bleo.

I don't know if you already do this, but I would advise you to get pulmonary function tests. I got one right before I started each round and there was some decline in my lungs, but not enough to take me off the bleo.

[isitnaptime]

Bleo toxicity can show up as a "darkening" of the skin in the hands and fingers. It wasn't an acne thing (he had that too, but I agree it's from the steriods). It was more just like a darkening -- kind of like that skin was darker and dirty looking. As a guy, you may not get this analogy, but it was sort of like when you apply sunless tanning lotion on your legs, and if you don't wash your hands really well, the skin looks darker and reddish/orangey around the thicker and calloused parts in the morning. ;) Hope that helps!

However, from what I've read, about 50% of people on bleo get the skin darkening, but only 10% have lung problems (of varying degrees).

[Vinny]

We used to call them "tiger stripes". I had them on my arms, neck and face, plus the discoloration around the toes and in the nails (the toenails became very brittle and gross and took more than a year to grow out). Also had the bleo chills and fever reaction the first time. After that they prepped me with additional steroids and tylenol.

[pumpkin_head]

right so i have finished my treatment now, but i have a few patches of darkened skin on my fingers and toes. I guess this is an effect of the bleo. but should i phone up the oncologist and tell him? I dont have any lung problems and i only had two cycles, but should i be worried about this?

[Smartie]

I had skin darkening. Particularly around the eyes - also recent scars on my arms became very dark. After a couple of months, things returned to normal.

By all means talk to your oncologist if you're concerned. Do you feel your skin darkening is greater than would be expected?

[pumpkin_head]

No not really worse than i would expect, to be honest its not that bad at all its just there if you know what I mean, it isnt even that bad that i would be bothered if it never returned to normal lol, but i will kepp an eye on it. One thing that is concerning me however is the immune function recovery. It is two weeks since the end of my last cycle on wednesday, should i expect my immune function to be normal now? I happen to live in the swine flu hotspot for the UK so i am apprehensive about returning to normal life even though I fell a lot better now. Should immune function now have recovered the infomration I have found suggests it should have but just seeking a bit of confirmation.