Votrient for Renal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews (Page 2)

• Biker
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2020

"I was diagnosed with stage IV RCC October 2014. Had spread to adrenal gland, lungs, lymph nodes and had attached itself to my bowel and vena cava. Had an attempted nephrectomy December 2014 but failed. Kidney was embolised just after this. I started on 800 mg Pazopanib January 2015 and have been on that dose ever since. My hair has gone white, get fatigued easily, incredible diarrhea at times and other minor side effects but I have no discernible tumours now and am able to work, live life and keep my fingers crossed that it keeps working. I know how incredibly fortunate I have been and I am full of gratitude."

• PH CRNA
• May 17, 2017

"I was diagnosed with RCC in my left kidney in May 2012. I thought I was cancer free, but a chest X-ray in February revealed tumors in both lungs. I was started on Votrient 600 mg initially for 4 weeks, and stopped taking drug for 3 weeks due to elevated liver enzymes. For the past 2 weeks I have been taking 400 mg. I have scans in 4 weeks, and am hoping for success. I now have fairly severe back, and flank pain, weakness, and elevated BP. I have labs repeated in a couple of days, and hope my enzymes are near normal. I guess this is the price we pay for trying to stay alive. Best of luck to everyone."

• Johnn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2020

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 RCC December 2018. Began 800mg Votrient January 2019. In 6 weeks my tumor had decreased in size by 40% and lesions on lungs had receded. At 11 weeks my blood pressure went very high and I ended in emergency room due to the high blood pressure. Dosage was decreased to 400mg and now at 12 months I am stable. My hair is very white and I have diarrhea many days, but I feel good and can work everyday. I feel blessed to have been treated with Votrient. I hope you all can respond as well as I have to this immunotherapy. My prayers are with you all."

• DIY
• April 21, 2017

"I was diagnosed with Renal cell Aug 2016 . Started in my left kidney met to lungs and vena cava . Still have both kidneys and have been on Votrient 800 mgs whole time I take it at night . Hair , all hair , is white. Side effects, tired, bad mouth taste, some gastric and lose of appetite. First ct tumours were shrinking have another soon . Good luck and God Bless to all cancer fighters ."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2017

"I have been on Votrient since April. Had to stop after 2 weeks because blood pressure put me in hospital being to high. Started taking it again at 1 a day . I am now up to 4(800mg) a day. Doing better the longer I take it. Have more good days where I feel like doing my house work. Food doesn't taste good. I can eat fruit. Pineapple, grapes, canteloupe things like that. Even some Chinese food some days like sweet and sour chicken. Chicken tastes best . No beef or pork tastes good. Took my second CT Scan this week waiting on results. First one said it hadn't grown any so that's a plus. I too have many side effects. Diarrhea the worst. Fatigue,taste, white hair everywhere, my hands are beginning to get very rough also. I have bruises comes up too"

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2016

"my husband has renal cancer . he did partial nephroctomy in his right kidney on 9/2010. many tumors appeared later in small sizes in both kidneys. now he is on votrient 800 mg 35 days ago.. he has high blood pressure treated .. rare weakness and bad taste.. little bit problems in stomach.. pain in leg.. his hair started to b white.. we r looking for positive result . hope this treatment can shrink or remove the total tumors"

• G-Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2017

""Had a partial nephrectomy of the right kidney in 2005. The tumor was papillary renal cell. In Jan. 2016 the cancer reoccurred in several locations in the omentum. Surgery in June 2016 removed a portion of the frontal omentum including papillary renal cell tumors. Multiple nodules still remain in the omentum on both sides of my body. Have been taking 600 mg of votrient since Nov. 2016, now 8 months. Shrinkage by as much as 50% have occurred in some tumors. None have increased in size during the period. Some initial side effects, hypertension, nausea and weakness, have improved during the period; others, diarrhea, taste and poor appetite, remain. At the age of 87 I am trying to stay active. Praying for improvements for all of us."

• Grammy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2019

"Discovered renal cell carcinoma in right kidney and had it removed in 2013. In 2016 it metastasized to liver. Had radioactive isotopes placed in three tumors in liver. Started taking Votrient 800mg. but couldn’t tolerate it so was cut back to alternating 400 mg and 200 mg. every other day. My tumors have shrunk and kept cancer at bay now for 3 years. I have terrible diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of taste and appetite, all white hair, dry heaves. However I take it at night and am on the toilet half the night but I wake up each day and thank the Lord for another day!"

• Kidney...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2016

"My husband was diagnosed with right renal cell cancer May 2014. A brain tumor was found on an MRI that same month, along with small spots on lungs. Gamma Knife procedure done May 2014. Right Nephrectomy June 2014. Brain tumor removed September 2014. He didn't start Votrient 800 mg until December 2015 due to a small spot they found on the left kidney during a routine CT scan. Since taking the medication, his hair has turned from red to white. Other side effects include high blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea and being tired. He was on blood pressure medication prior to taking Votrient. Now he is on three blood pressure meds and now the blood pressures are within a normal range. Spots may or may not be cancer. So far, tolerating med well."

• meo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2017

"Left nephrectomy in July 2015 for large renal cell tumor. First bad CT was in Nov 2016 which showed multiple lesions throughout abdomen and pelvis. Biopsy in Dec2016 confirmed recurrence of rcc. Started 800mg votrient in Jan 2017. Horrible side effects with fatigue and intense abdominal pain. Stopped after 3 weeks and took a week break before starting 600mg. Side effects eased slightly but blood work showed poor liver function after 3 weeks so took a week break and started 400mg. CT in March 2017 showed several lesions 10% smaller. Side effects have calmed down with the worst being daily diarrhea and inconsistent appetite. ALL hair turned white. Good Luck to everyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2017

"I'm 66 year old male. Had radical nephrectomy of left kidney in 2011. Scans showed huge tumor. 6years later had nonstop headache for about 4 weeks. Scans showed Tumor on cerebellum. Had surgery to remove that on 10th May 2016. That left me with palsey down my left side as tumor and surgery damaged 7th cranial nerve. Now use walker and wheelchair. Now a tumor has showed up in stomach. Went on Votrient, effects were vomiting, diarrhea, all hair turned white, unable to get out of bed, loss of appetite, no taste. I started using cannabis oil which helped alleviate nausea and loss of appetite. Last scans about two months ago, tumor couldn't be seen. Oncologist didn't say it was gone but it couldn't be seen, where as prior scan showed it clearly"

• l59
• January 28, 2018

"My mum is soon to be 90 and had never been in hospital only to have her four children. Mum got pneumonia and in November, 2017 was in hospital for 6 days. Diagnosed with pneumonia and an enlarged heart. Mid December, 2017 she came back to hospital with laboured breathing. Tests done showed collapsed lung due to fluid and to our shock later diagnosed with RCC, gone into Renal Artery and met to liver. By Wednesday 24th January 2018 she started on Votient, 2 a day. She already has white hair so I don't think that will change but she was taken off blood pressure tablets in hospital (which she had been on for 50 years) as her blood presssure was perfect. On Votient it has gone up again so am taking her tomorrow to see if they want to put her back on them. Mum has 20 great grandchildren and 12 grandchildren and wants desperately to be able to go to my sons wedding in March and her birthday is 1st May. The oncologist is confident that she will make both....Here's hoping"

• Debi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2017

"Out of the blue, diagnosed after ct scan, stage 4 renal cell carcinoma, spots on liver also, spot on lung, adrenal glands involved, was told should expect to live 1-5 years. started Votrient 800 mg on April 13th and have not had a repeat scan yet. Side effects are horrendous to me. Scalp sore like a sunburn type feel, tender, have noticed hair thinning on top of scalp. Mouth is on fire to where I can eat few foods- puddings, water, ice cream mostly melted, soups. Some days mouth hurts so badI can not eat. Can not taste salt. A few days did not take votrient because I did not eat all day. Burning with urination, scalded. Burns with diarrhea also. Cracking of lips on each side of mouth. Keep telling myself it could be worse. God bless."

• Sunray
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2020

"I am a 72 year old female. Diagnosed 2010 large kidney tumour. Radical right side nephrectomy. 2014 recurrence of cancer in left kidney and remaining adrenal gland. Tumours were progressing very slowly. Started on 800mg dose in January 2020. Reduced to 600mg after blood pressure spikes. By mid March all tumours had shrunk by 5mm. Due to Covid-19 treatment put on hold until mid July. I have a scan every three months and am due for my next one in October 2020. I am fortunate to be free from side effects up to now and I feel I’m lucky to have the best care through our NHS in the United Kingdom."

• Tamas...
• January 3, 2017

"1/3/16. Was told had cancer bottom of kidney and it got large Dr. Said and is pressing into spine. Was on voltrient about 2 1/2 months and scan showed tumor size had not changed. After taking voltrient about 5 months I got very sick and could not eat or drink about 10 days. Did lot of vomiting. Stomach hurt for many days. Need to ask Dr if I should get back on it (mass must shrink a lot Dr says before they would consider surgery). This has been very scary as mass pressing and causing tightness twisting of left leg but I'm doing lot of praying for self and all cancer patients. We desperately need cures. I get scans Jan 16. "

• Bose...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2017

"I have undergone radical nephractomy of my left kidney in November, 2014 with staging T2 N0 M0. Doctor said that I am now ok. During 2015 I have undergone quarterly check up by USG of abdomen and chest X Ray. In November 2015 CT scan of thorax and done and found two suspicious small nodes in left lungs but positionwise very small. Next scan done after six months, there was no change in size of those nodes or new growth. Pain started in left shoulder joint and in back since October, 2016. Went for CT scan followed by bone scan, which detected tumors in left shoulder and D4 spine, also increase in size of lung tumors. mRCC confirmed by biopsy. Started Votrient 800mg daily from 14th December, 2016. No major side effect except testlessnes"

• twh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2018

"RCC Stage 4 - Dec 2015 Unfortunately, cannot comment on efficacy of Votrient; was only on it for about a few weeks. Yeah, the gastro side effects started on about day 3, but it was the fevers that drove me to the hospital. Liver enzymes thru the roof. Was taken off med immediately, followed by a 3 week recovery period, then placed on Cabometyx (which Dr wanted me on in the first place). Cabo has worked wonders for me - into 15th month now - no side effects, dramatic reduction in tumors. Best Luck to you all"

• sre
• April 14, 2017

"My husband's left kidney was removed in March 2015 . No signs of cancer for one and a half years. In October 2016 he had cough and lower back pain. Did PET CT and found mets in lungs and spine . Started taking votrient since December 2016. After 3 months tumours in lungs are found shrinking. Major side effects are vomiting ,muscle and bone pain. Nowadays he is full time on bed due to muscle pain. Acid reflux is overcomed with Pan D . We are hoping and praying for positive results."

• Faith
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2019

"Votrient nearly killed me by attacking my liver. I tried it twice. First time was for 4 weeks. During that time I had just about every side effect possible change in taste, diarrhea, white hair, tiredness. I finally had brick red urine and turned yellow as it attacked my liver. Found out side effects were so bad because a previous cancer drug, Opdivo, was still in my system. After 6 weeks of steroids, I tried Votrient again. This time, I got tired and had a fever within a week. Blood test showed it was attacking my liver once again. I was back on steroids. It did reduce the size of my tumors while one it, but was killing me by attacking my liver."

• Sunray
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 1, 2021

"Update.... on Votrient 800mg the since January 2020 with short period of treatment paused because of the pandemic. I resumed July 2020. Only side effect is elevated blood pressure ( controlled ). Latest scan showed dramatic shrinkage of RCC mets in remaining kidney, pancreas and adrenal gland. Also, lung mets no longer visible on latest scan. I feel very fortunate that this drug is working for me. My thoughts are with you all. Keep fighting."

• Lee
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2020

"January 2017 left kidney, adrenal and 5 lymph nodes removed. 45 weeks into a trial came back in t9 vertebrae cleaned out. 2019 January started 800 mgs bad side effects went to 600 now 1and 1/2 years spot on left lung shrinking right adrenal sight reduced. Occasional diarrhea white hair. Medical marijuana helps with appetite and nausea, sleeping and anxiety. I will stay on until it stops working."

• meo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2017

"Update-tolerating Votrient 400mg. Last 2 scans status quo. Diarrhea controlled with immodium. Pattern of a couple good weeks followed by fatigue and general awful feeling. Medicinal marijuana has been a godsend for these bad times. Almost like setting a reset button both mentally and physically. Only do it when I feel awful and won't be leaving the house."

• 3...
• October 17, 2021

"I was diagnosed with renal cancer 6 years ago. My left kidney was removed. I received no chemotherapy or radiation due to the fact it was ineffective on a clear cell carcinoma. I had 3 nodules on my lungs at the time it was diagnosed. 5 years later a CT scan showed the 3 nodules grew and two more appeared on my right lung. A wedge section was removed from my left lower lung. The Metastasis was confirmed to stage 4 cancers. After 2 opinions I tried a combination of Keytruda infusion and Inlyta tablets. I had a severe reaction to the Keytruda thankfully the doctor and nurses saved me. I had several options and went for Votrient. I have had no serious side effects. My blood pressure became elevated but was brought under control with an increase of blood pressure medication. I just had a CT scan. The 3 remaining nodules shrunk and 1 disappeared. No other signs of cancer. I am a new user but so far I think this drug is a miracle."

• Kiwib...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 9, 2021

"Using Votrient Jan 2013 until July 2020 Had right kidney removed Nov 2011 on diagnosis of my cancer. Metastasised in my submandibular and parotid glands in Sept 2012 starting Votrient Jan 2013. SE’s appear to improve over the years, main issue was blood pressure and diarrhoea. I stopped Votrient to try SRT which appears to be working."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2021

"My husband had a nephrectomy of his left kidney, it had spread to his left testicle and had the testicle removed as well. Before the operation, the surgeon said that the mass had been slow growing for roughly ten years. He is 67, and in mostly good health outside of the cancer. It has been a year and a half on Votrient. The first dosage was too high and caused him a few hospital visits to stabilise his liver function. Now he is on half that dose, the only prominent side effect is the occasional nausea, fatigue and vomiting/fainting spells. Of course his hair has also gone completely white. He is very thin and struggles to put on weight but has a healthy appetite. It seems that this dosage is working, his cancer cells have shrunk. He goes for a PET scan twice a year and has been clear so far. In 4 months will be 2 years since diagnosis. So far the medication is working. The diet seems to be the trickiest part and I would recommend that you see an expert dietician. A specific diet is NB."