Hi Joe,
I guess the acne thing is common
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/erbitux_ad.htm
Your onc should know what to do about that.
Lowkey didn't get that, he got fungal under the nails problems.
Let us know how it goes.
J

erbitux side effects  
Group: alt.support.cancer

I know that acne and skin blotching is a side effect of erbitux, but
this is crazy! I've got zits on top of zits on top of zits. The back of
my head looks like the moon, and in just 6 days of my first infusion. I
can't imagine what I'll look like several months down the road!. Is
there any topical ointment that will reduce this problem?  
and also wrote:
Problem is that Erbitux is my last line of defense. I've gone thourgh
all the other drugs. After this, I'll be just sent home to die.
--Joe


Whatever you find out about  erbitux and your reactions to it, please
come back here and post as many of us including myself will be taking
that drug next if the one we are on now doesn't work and it's important
that we know everything possible about the side effects as it is the
last line of defense for many of us..

Two thoughts that come to mind on the acne subject. One acne is
sometimes indicative of an inner infection and is the body's way of
shedding the toxins by bringing them to the surface via pimples and
sists. Something unrelated to the chemo may be slightly infected and
causing the fever and acne. Check the chemo port out good cause that is
the usual suspect. The other thing that comes to mind is your workplace.
Since the drug says to avoid sunlight. Does your job use flourescent
lights?  they are pretty much the same as sunlight, many folks use them
for indoor plants. Perhaps sunblock and protective clothing may help.
Another dirivitave of sunlight is vitamin D also found in many foods and
dairy prducts. Try cuting back on them and see if it helps.

You also wrote this in another post joe - Problem is that Erbitux is my
last line of defense. I've gone thourgh all the other drugs. After this,
I'll be just sent home to die.

That simply is not true joe, the only person in all creation that knows
if and when you will die is God. As Jesus said to the woman who
clammered through the crowds of people to be near him because she
believed that if she were simply to be able touch his garment she would
be healed, "by your faith you are healed". Refusing to beleive the
statistics and beleiving with all your being in something can and has in
many cases caused healing where none thought it was possible.

I was slapped in the face three days before Christmas with the fact that
I had stage four colon cancer with no warning or symptoms. I was
probably satan's poster child as I was the most egotistical, self
absorbed, self serving sinner that ever walked this earth. I have broken
every commandment and some that weren't written that should have been. I
was a beer guzzling, chain smoking, lying, pitiful excuse for a man, two
ex wives and one current wife I'm sure will agree with that assessment
and probably add some to it. Doctors tell me I got less than one percent
chance of beating it, That I have 6 months with no chemo and 20-24
months with chemo. (I'm taking the chemo)

If a miserable coot like me can get on my knees, spill my guts, cry like
a baby and ask Jesus to forgive me and help me, Anybody can do it. I
gave my whole life to God, gave up all my bad habits. I siad God if it's
my time then so be it but if you can find something here that I can do
to help others, serve you and glorify your name, then cast out this
affliction, tell me what you want me to do and it will be done.

Maybe the doctor's assesment is right, only god knows for sure but I
refuse to beleive it and I will not put all my faith in a bag of
medicine. I will not lose faith if the last line of medical defense
should fail. I put all my faith in the man that created all things. All
things come from God, without him there can be nothing and all things
are possible through him, believe this.. Scripture says if a man have
faith he can say to a mountain, lift thyself up and cast hyself into the
sea and it will be done.

If you beleive this God will heal you either directly by his hand or
indirectly through treatments but he will heal you. If in two years I'm
still here, I'll be living proof, if not you can write me off as a
nutcase but at least in the meantime the belief and faith is giving me
strength and helping me not to give in to doom and gloom. If you give in
to them, satan will take you right down to the bottom and sap all the
life out of you so beleive with all your heart in something and don't
let that faith waiver for even a second no matter what gets thrown on
you.