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Anyone having possible side effects from Avastin?

Posted , 3 users are following.

bagladyNYC
bagladyNYC

My first shot was April 2014. In June I was sent to the ER because the doc-in-the-box felt I was having a blood clot. Sot did I. My left leg was swollen just like it did in 2011 from a blood clot. However, after testing, they said that wasn't the problem. I told them I had just started taking Avastin, but no one seemed to pay attention. That leg and ankle are still swollen and my scratching in the middle of the night is scaring me. i'm diabetic.

My geriatric doctor put me on lasix twice, along with a water pill hydrosomething. Neither worked.

The results of the latest bloodwork for diabetes showed low potassium. My doctor said Lasix could cause this. However, when i researched side effects of Avastin, I came up with low potassium.

I'm very concerned about this. My geriatric doc thinks the swollen leg is from inflammation from herniated disks. I've had this for several years. I'm concerned it is the Avastin; otherise, why did my leg take so long to swell.

If anyone else is taking Avastin and is having side effects, i would like to know. This drug is like lecentis. A very tiny amount is shot inside your eye every few weeks.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • richard156
    richard156 bagladyNYC

    Posted

    My wife has been having avastin for 3 years but now has an implant. The only side effect is on the bank balance.
  • bagladyNYC
    bagladyNYC

    Posted

    This is really in repy to richard156. Sorry to hear it costs that much. You must not live in America. I'm very glad your wife has not had any side effects.

    I have blood work done every four months because I am diabetic. That's how my geriatric doc knew I was low in potassium. My retinal specialist has never suggested any tests be done, though I have read enough to know the urine needs to be tested for protein as well. I think that is what can go south. Again that is one of the things I'm check for because of diabetes.

  • richard156
    richard156 bagladyNYC

    Posted

    I live in UK.  Cannot get Avastin on NHS.   The relevant Health Authority in Yorkshire is looking into Avastin on NHS.  Local authorities decide so you get it on NHS (None yet) in some areas and not in others.

    Looks like correspondents will have to say where they live to clarify things.

  • bagladyNYC
    bagladyNYC

    Posted

    An implant after three years of Avastin? That sounds as though it didn't work.

    Avastin has a checkered past. It was approved for metastatic breast cancer by the Federal Drug Administration, then removed becaue it wasn't working and was too risky. I was asked to participate in the study in 2006. Refused. Took all my test results and went another hospital in the city. Everyone is using it now, which bothers me. They describe it here as being "off label" meaning it was designed to metastatic colon cancer. My retinals are charging $400/shot, then writing it off because Medicare does not cover. However, Medicare does cover Lucentis at $2000/shot and from what I read is not that different from Avantis.

  • Buckeyes
    Buckeyes bagladyNYC

    Posted

    Don't know about the side effects, but just went to doctor last week for swollen feet and ankles.  He put me on generic Lasix.  I am on 40 mg twice a day.  Along with that he put me on slow release potassium!  You absolutely need the potassium! You lose potassium because you lose it along with the water you expel!  Check into it again!  It can be very dangerous!  Keep us posted!  Good luck!
    • bagladyNYC
      bagladyNYC Buckeyes

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply, Buckeyes. I am now back on a diuretic with potassium chloride to try to get my blood pressure down. Thank goodness another doctor explained how important it was to take potassium along with a diuretic like you did. I've taken the pills for two days along with an ARB and so far, my blood pressure is down some, but from experience, I know it can come back up, so crossing my fingers this works. A new problem. I changed from a beta blocker to an ARB around February and was not told to taper off the beta blocker. i noticed my pulse was high, but didn't connect it to dropping the beta blocker abruptly until this same specialist told me the high pulse was the result.

      I've read and read about macular degeneration, but am still a bit fuzzy about it and the shots. If they stop working, and I've heard they can, will your eye hemorrhage?

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