In September I will have taken Tarceva for 2 years. Initially I had all the usual side effects - rash, diarrhea, splitting fingertips and toes, dry skin. Most things abated or I adapted. I gradually began to be able to eat most things, including popcorn - which once gave me diarrhea for a week.

Last month I had to be hospitalized with a gastrointestinal problem which the hospital has diagnosed as Crohn"s Disease. I keep wondering if this can be Tarceva related. Cursory searches haven't turned anything up but I was wondering if others had had a similar experience.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated because I have never been that sick in my life...even after 6 weeks of chemo and radiation!

Thank you.
Jackie M.

that is a new one to me ! Deb was on it for a while but not 2 years though.. you might want to see if Dr West over at CancerGrace has any info for you.. Just my thoughts but..

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

My dad has had major tummy issues and hohrrible rash the entire time on Tarceva. Sometimes worse than others. Never heard of a Chrons link. Maybe call the manufacturer?

_________________
[size=84]Mom diagnosed 11/03; age 58; NSCLC IIIA
Carboplatin/Gemzar
3/4/04--lobectomy
5/04--completed radiation
5/05--coiling for brain anyerusm found on routine brain MRI
8/05--triple bypass
10/06--PET, brain MRI, CT clear
8/07--NED
Currently in remission/NED
2/12--Stage IV squamous cell, a new beast
4/9/12--My mom passed away

Dad diagnosed 9/06; age 65 (asymptomatic); adenocarcinoma with BAC features
9/06--Wedge resection of 1.4cm tumor
Lots of little nodules remain and a small thing on brain maybe
11/06--Stable
5/18/10--Dx with Macroglobenemia (indolent lymphoma) & nodule growth
6/10--IT'S BACK! Tarceva time
[/size]

I have been on Tarceva for 5 1/2 years. My side effects have improved immensely, mostly thanks to my dermatologist and an antibiotic 3 days a week. The stomach issues are still here though. I can go for days with no problems and then there are days like today where I run to the bathroom every few minutes. I haven't heard of a link to Crohn's disease. I HAVE had doctors that don't understand Tarceva side effects and then they get very upset about some of them and try to find other causes. I am Not saying it isn't Crohn's but I would want to check with your oncologist, Dr. West and yes, maybe contact Genentech about whether there has been an issue with Crohn's and Tarceva.

_________________
Diagnosed at 47 years old - never smoked
3 amazing children, now 27, 25, and 24
Married 30 years

12/22/06 Diagnosed NSCLC Stage IV - Adnocarcinoma
Tumor in Rt Lung, 3 on Spine, one on the Pons of the brain
Radiation to the spine
Fractionated Linac Stereotactic Radiotherapy to the Pons of the brain

2/15/07 Start Tarceva 150 mg
4 1/2 years of "no progression of disease"

4/11/11 New mets on brain, Gamma Knife Radiation
Probable Leptomeningeal Disease.
Start "pulsing Tarceva" 1500mg 1xweek

7/11 - Brain mets swelling as an after effect of Gamma Knife, put on anti seizure meds, steroids.
New mets on spine and lung - watching.

9/11 - No new growth in Brain - more growth on spine and ribs. Back to Tarceva 100mg daily, adding Avastin every 3 weeks.

12/11 - Scans show no new growth, some mets stable, others have shrunk!

12/22/11 - 5 year survivor!!!!!

7/20/12 - scans show new growth in lungs and spine. Staying on Tarceva and Avastin and adding Alimta and Carboplatin.

10/12 Taken off Alimta and Carboplatin due to extreme side effects, continuing on Tarceva and Avastin - scans stable

Winter/13. Scans show growth again. Bones, lungs, lymph nodes, spleen. Time to look into clinical trials

4/13. Started clinical trial at Yale AP26113 by ARIAD, a "second generation Tarceva", side effects so far, diarrhea and nausea.

My story - http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=46162