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Provenge 1st treatment

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Posted 6/18/2013 10:05 PM (GMT -5)
Had my first Provenge infusion Monday. about 20 minutes into the infusion I developed chills, one of the stated common side effects. They had to stop and give me benedryl through the IV. After chills subsided they started the infusion back up at a slower rate then increased it as you have 2 hours to get infused or it goes bad. Got done but had mild fever and a increased pulse, also side effects. Spent twice as long at the medical facility as scheduled but got home last night went to bed fever and pulse went down and felt fine today. Hoping next infusion they give me the benedryl through the IV at the start and start off with a slower infusion rate and maybe SE's will be less. The info provided on Provenge indicated that SE"s were common. Would like to know how you guys that have been through this did with SE's.
Posted 6/18/2013 10:17 PM (GMT -5)
I've not done Provenge, but know some who have, and yes, SEs happen.

Hang in there. We are pulling for you!

Posted 6/18/2013 11:19 PM (GMT -5)
Good luck, glad you have that first one behind you. hope the side effects lessen for you
david
Posted 6/18/2013 11:34 PM (GMT -5)
There are a lot of people here, both seen and unseen that are very interested in how your treatment progresses. You are a trailblazer leading the way into a whole new method of cancer treatment..Please keep us informed about any lingering side-effects..This could be tricky because the HT you are also on has its own laundry list of side-effects..If the worst of the side-effects are over in 12 hours or less, that's not too bad..Especially when compared to traditional chemotherapy...
Posted 6/19/2013 6:01 AM (GMT -5)
Todd Seals (Provenge spokemans)-may weigh in on this, I have a question for Todd or Tall Allen or others whom may know alot more. This thing with the chills side effects, is very likely related to the use of Leukine that is somehow engineered or used in the Provenge thingy experience (lol), they say Leukine is used somehow in the making of this (of which I don't know the engineering stuff). Leukine is effective on PCa by itself or usually used with someother drugs in conjunction (e.g. Scholz, Myers, et al). Leukine will give many a heavy duty case of chills and other possible effects and it is bizarre to experience, a few unlucky guys cannot handle Leukine (per Dr. Myers video) may also cause fever and more, otherwise it is very tolerable in most patients.

Hope your side effects have gone away in your case.
Posted 6/19/2013 3:54 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Kurt,
Glad you made it through it. My first was similar. I went home and slept for 20 hours after the first. I was given a benedryl prior to my first infusion. Kaiser was an arm of the phase 3 trials where I live so the must have kniwn. it could be an issue. First treatment was the worst. After the second I went water skiing and after the third I bought a new boat. Lol. After my third I also went back on casidex to get my p.s.a. to drop. I am so happy you are well on your way with this treatment. Hang in the bro. Todd
Posted 6/19/2013 3:56 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry about the typos and misspellings. I am typing on my phone
Posted 6/19/2013 4:00 PM (GMT -5)
No direct experience with Provenge, but lots of experience in the cancer infusion rooms.

Bring a blanket, or something to cover-up with, during infusion.  Chills are a nearly universal (temporary) side effect for most of the IV treatments.  Look around in the waiting room and you will undoubtedly see many of the experienced warriors carrying extra jackets or blankets.  This won't stop the chills, but will make them more tolerable.

best wishes...

Post Edited (Casey59) : 6/19/2013 3:03:38 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/19/2013 5:02 PM (GMT -5)
My wife sent off for information on Provenge and I looked inside and saw the name Todd and said I know that man. I might be on it sooner that I think. Hope it does well for you.

Michael

Posted 6/19/2013 5:53 PM (GMT -5)
I always wanted to be famous.lol
Posted 6/22/2013 4:12 AM (GMT -5)
When I had my treatments, I had to take benedryl thirty minutes before they could start the infusion. Did you center follow protocol? I remember having to swallow the antihistamine, going to get lunch and then going back to get hooked up to the IV's and then they started the infusion of the product. There was no exceptions, 30 minutes before the IV could start dripping.

I would encourage you to have them try that protocol.

BTW, I had four treatments and everyone I had to wait 30 minutes. I got to the point where I would walk into the infusion center and ask the nurse for the pill before she did anything else since I needed to get back to work.

Good luck.
Posted 6/24/2013 11:58 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the response guys. I go for session #2 this Friday and Monday. Not related to the provenge but my Onc had pulled me off casodex 30 days ago after a psa rise from 1.4 to 2.4 in 12 weeks. Looking for that reverse effect but didn't get it infact it jumped from 2.4 to 5.4 during that month. Starting back on triple dose casodex today.

Devasted1, they did follow that protocol but guess I needed bigger dose thru IV as I started to react within 20 minutes of infusion.

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