Cancer Research UK main site

Pemetrexed and carboplatin - what to expect?

LilyCrystal
Offline

I'm due to start chemo and immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) for lung cancer and brain mets. I have pains in my lower legs and a bit short of breath but otherwise fine, the lung tumour is pressing on my vocal cord which is causing me to have a very hoarse voice and that was what started investigations. 
 

i am only 37 so am quite young, was a bit of a shock!
 

I don't know what to expect from chemo at all. I know it's different for everyone but do the side effects start immediately/in the first few days or is it ok for a few days then get worse? 

  • Offline

    Hi there 

     

    I am so sorry to read this my mum is just going through the same thing she has a lung tumour and we are just waiting to hear on her treatment 

    please do let me know how you get on all the very best xx

  • Offline

    Hi, 

    I'm not on pemetrexed but carboplatin is one of my drugs. I've found the side effects didn't start straight away or even in the few couple of weeks. 

    However, now I'm on week 4/5 my body is starting to react. I'm 38, it hasn't been "too bad". Don't get me wrong, it is unpleasant and it is really difficult to work out what is a symptom of my cancer and a side effect of chemo. But not "too bad". 

    My advice is to keep in close tough with whatever contacts you've got. Thankfully my chemo team and Macmillan nurses work really closely together and, though I try not to bug them, they never make me feel like I'm being a bother. They've helped prescribe me a few different drugs to help combat the problems I face and given me advice on immediate remedies for other things. 

  • Offline in reply to JaeInKent

    They found the cancer is sensitive to an immunotherapy the day before I was due to start, so I'm not on chemo now, just Tagrisso. It's only been a week but so far it's ok. I have come out in terrible acne across my face and chest which is painful today but I spoke to my GP and he's prescribed me something for it to so going to try and very slowly shuffle over to the pharmacy this morning! 


    I feel like the Tagrisso makes me quite jittery and I struggled with that a bit because I was worried it was the cancer making me feel worse but I realised I don't really feel worse just weird, so I'm blaming Tagrisso! That seems to be keeping me ok at the moment :laugh:

  • Offline

    Hello,

    Just read your posts and I see your taking Tagrisso which my Mum will start in march hopefully. How are you doing? Hope everything is going as well as can be expected. Would just appreciate any advice etc.

    Take care.

    Jane

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.