Votrient for Renal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews (Page 2)

• PH ...
• 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 the 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."

• Bik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2020

"I was diagnosed with stage IV RCC in October 2014. Had spread to adrenal gland, lungs, lymph nodes, and had attached itself to my bowel and vena cava. Had an attempted nephrectomy in December 2014 but failed. Kidney was embolized just after this. I started on 800 mg Pazopanib in January 2015 and have been on that dose ever since. My hair has gone white, I get fatigued easily, incredible diarrhea at times, and other minor side effects, but I have no discernible tumors 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."

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

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 RCC in December 2018. Began 800 mg Votrient in January 2019. In 6 weeks, my tumor had decreased in size by 40%, and lesions on my lungs had receded. At 11 weeks, my blood pressure went very high, and I ended up in the emergency room due to the high blood pressure. Dosage was decreased to 400 mg, 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 every day. 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 August 2016. Started in my left kidney, metastasized to lungs and vena cava. Still have both kidneys and have been on Votrient 800 mg the whole time. I take it at night. Hair, all hair, is white. Side effects: tiredness, bad mouth taste, some gastric issues, and loss of appetite. First CT scan showed tumors were shrinking, I 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 the hospital, being too high. Started taking it again at 1 a day. I am now up to 4 (800 mg) a day. Doing better the longer I take it. Have more good days where I feel like doing my housework. Food doesn't taste good. I can eat fruit: pineapple, grapes, cantaloupe, 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. The first one said it hadn't grown any, so that's a plus. I too have many side effects: diarrhea, the worst. Fatigue, taste issues, white hair everywhere, my hands are beginning to get very rough also. I have bruises come up too."

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

"Left nephrectomy in July 2015 for a large renal cell tumor. First bad CT was in Nov 2016, which showed multiple lesions throughout the abdomen and pelvis. Biopsy in Dec 2016 confirmed recurrence of RCC. Started 800 mg Votrient in Jan 2017. Horrible side effects with fatigue and intense abdominal pain. Stopped after 3 weeks and took a week break before starting 600 mg. Side effects eased slightly, but blood work showed poor liver function after 3 weeks, so took a week break and started 400 mg. 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."

• G-G...
• 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% has 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."

• Gra...
• 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 800 mg, 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!"

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2016

"My husband has renal cancer. He did a partial nephrectomy on his right kidney in 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. A little bit of problems in the stomach. Pain in leg. His hair started to be white. We are looking for a positive result. Hope this treatment can shrink or remove the total tumors."

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

"I'm a 66-year-old male. Had a radical nephrectomy of the left kidney in 2011. Scans showed a huge tumor. Six years later, had nonstop headaches for about 4 weeks. Scans showed a tumor on the cerebellum. Had surgery to remove that on May 10, 2016. That left me with palsy down my left side as the tumor and surgery damaged the 7th cranial nerve. Now I use a walker and wheelchair. Now a tumor has showed up in the 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, the tumor couldn't be seen. The oncologist didn't say it was gone, but it couldn't be seen, whereas the prior scan showed it clearly."

• Deb...
• 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 badly I cannot eat. Cannot 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."

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

"My husband was diagnosed with right renal cell cancer in May 2014. A brain tumor was found on an MRI that same month, along with small spots on the lungs. Gamma Knife procedure done in May 2014. Right nephrectomy in June 2014. Brain tumor removed in 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 the med well."

• l59...
• January 28, 2018

"My mum is soon to be 90 and had never been in the hospital, only to have her four children. Mum got pneumonia, and in November 2017, was in the hospital for 6 days. Diagnosed with pneumonia and an enlarged heart. Mid-December 2017, she came back to the hospital with labored breathing. Tests done showed a collapsed lung due to fluid and, to our shock, later diagnosed with RCC, gone into the renal artery and metastasized to the liver. By Wednesday, January 24, 2018, she started on Votrient, 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 the hospital (which she had been on for 50 years) as her blood pressure was perfect. On Votrient, it has gone up again, so I 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 son's wedding in March, and her birthday is May 1st. The oncologist is confident that she will make both... Here's hoping."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2020

"I am a 72-year-old female. Diagnosed in 2010 with a large kidney tumor. Radical right-side nephrectomy. In 2014, recurrence of cancer in the left kidney and remaining adrenal gland. Tumors were progressing very slowly. Started on an 800 mg dose in January 2020. Reduced to 600 mg after blood pressure spikes. By mid-March, all tumors had shrunk by 5 mm. Due to Covid-19, treatment was 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."

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

"RCC Stage 4 - Dec 2015. Unfortunately, cannot comment on the 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 through the roof. Was taken off the 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 the 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 a cough and lower back pain. Did PET CT and found mets in lungs and spine. Started taking Votrient since December 2016. After 3 months, tumors 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 overcome with Pan D. We are hoping and praying for positive results."

• Tam...
• January 3, 2017

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

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

"I have undergone radical nephrectomy of my left kidney in November 2014 with staging T2 N0 M0. The doctor said that I am now okay. During 2015, I underwent quarterly check-ups by USG of the abdomen and chest X-ray. In November 2015, a CT scan of the thorax was done and found two suspicious small nodes in the left lung, but position-wise very small. The next scan done after six months showed no change in the size of those nodes or new growth. Pain started in the left shoulder joint and in the back since October 2016. I went for a CT scan followed by a bone scan, which detected tumors in the left shoulder and D4 spine, also an increase in the size of lung tumors. mRCC was confirmed by biopsy. I started Votrient 800 mg daily from December 14, 2016. No major side effect except testlessness."

• Fai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2019

"Votrient nearly killed me by attacking my liver. I tried it twice. The 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. I found out the 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. A blood test showed it was attacking my liver once again. I was back on steroids. It did reduce the size of my tumors while on it, but was killing me by attacking my liver."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 1, 2021

"Update... on Votrient 800 mg since January 2020, with a short period of treatment paused because of the pandemic. I resumed in July 2020. The only side effect is elevated blood pressure (controlled). The latest scan showed dramatic shrinkage of RCC mets in the remaining kidney, pancreas, and adrenal gland. Also, lung mets are no longer visible on the 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. January 2019, started 800 mg, bad side effects, went to 600. Now, 1 and 1/2 years, spot on left lung shrinking, right adrenal site 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 400 mg. Last 2 scans, status quo. Diarrhea controlled with Imodium. 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."

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

"Using Votrient from Jan 2013 until July 2020. Had right kidney removed in Nov 2011 on diagnosis of my cancer. Metastasized in my submandibular and parotid glands in Sept 2012, starting Votrient in Jan 2013. Side effects appear to improve over the years, the main issue was blood pressure and diarrhea. 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 he 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 stabilize 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, it 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."