Niraparib and Weakness: What Users Say

• Rox...
• May 19, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I just started on Zejula. It is a week now that I take 300 mg at night. I was pretty anxious reading all the comments and experiences. I was scared. But I want to live, and anything that can help me have a normal life, I will try. For now, I am okay except for being weak and tired. I'll see along the way. Thanks, and good luck to every woman facing a battle that big. Roxane."

• Pix...
• February 27, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "Stage 4 ovarian cancer, March 2020. Also in lung and right breast. April started chemo. Four rounds of Carbo-taxol and tumor shrank enough for surgery in July 2020. Removed tumor, full hysterectomy, and part of bowel and liver. Three rounds of chemo post-op. CT scan now shows no cancer. September 30 started on 200 mg. Severe nausea for two weeks. Week three nausea eased, but fatigue worsened. Low hemoglobin and platelets, resulting in three weeks off drug. Back on for one month. First two weeks, nausea and fatigue. Two weeks ago, noticed I was weaker. Can barely care for myself: fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath with exertion, headaches, restlessness, and bad sleep. Will switch to morning, as after meds I am wired and have very restless legs. Zejula harder than chemo. Want to try 100 mg. Good to read everyone's experience and see dose can be every other day. Healthy vibes to all. Re-rating: 5/10, as side effects are horrible, but told it can take three months to adjust. It's too early to tell if the drug is keeping the cancer at bay."

• VCW...
• December 13, 2017

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "This drug is killing me. I would take chemo over this drug in a heartbeat. It has caused me the worst weakness I have ever felt. I have been taking 300 mg daily for almost 3 months and already had a transfusion. The worst part is that my CA-125 is slowly creeping up. Additionally, since the drug is so new, there is not a lot of information out there that I can relate to. I feel like this drug will kill me before the cancer does. It has taken my strength to the point that I can't enjoy the things I've always enjoyed in the past...even during all of my past chemos."

• cre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2018

Niraparib for Fallopian Tube Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 4 fallopian and peritoneal cancer (BRCA1 positive) with an initial CA125 of 3490. After chemo, I was in remission for 2 years and then had more chemo for a recurrence. Afterwards, I went on Zejula and have been taking it for about 16 months. The initial dose of 300 mg per day gradually caused numerous side effects including fatigue, weakness, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, back pain, and then finally I had to have a blood transfusion and go off the drug for a month. I resumed at 100 mg per day and all the side effects disappeared except the sleeplessness and blood pressure, and even those side effects were less severe. For the last 6 months, I have been on a dose of 100 mg just 3 times per week. We moved to Canada and Zejula is not available here, so I have been stretching out my supply. Throughout the 16 months, my CA125 has remained steady in the 7 - 8 range. I will soon be changing to Lynparza, which is available in Canada."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2023

For Ovarian Cancer "I’ve been on it for 2 years after getting stage 3 ovarian cancer at 40 years old. Got the surgery and 6 chemos - I never even got sick one time. Started on 3 pills, but my platelets dropped, so went to 2 pills. Almost right away, I would notice I would feel shaky a few hours after taking them. Like, I wouldn’t actually have the shakes, but it would feel like it on the inside. Started taking them right before bed and never had any other issues. About to be done with it next week - 2 years after starting this and still all clear. I truly believe one of the things that helped the most is I also take Adderall for extreme ADHD, so I never had the tiredness, weakness, or fatigue that a lot of people mentioned. I did have muscle and bone aches at first and was horrible, but my doctor noticed my magnesium was low, so I’ve just always taken a 400mg mag supplement every night and never had that problem again. Ask about those little things! Ask to see your blood work! A slight magnesium deficiency caused all that and was easily fixed."