this time herceptin?

On 2/21/2008 Ruth1231 wrote:

Hi, Jodie,

I too am HER2 positve and have been receiving Herceptin treatments since the beginning of my breast cancer treatments. I finished the toxic part of the chemo in June 2008 and am still receiving the Herceptin every 3 weeks until April this year, 2008. 

Herceptin was originally given weekly but further testing told the doctors they can give 3 treatments in one session without further complications. Be advised, it is your choice to go weekly or every 3 weeks. Every 3 weeks saves me $120 a month as I do not have to pay the co-pay every week, which is great if your income is limited.

I receive a MUGA scan every 3 months and so far have had no problems arise from the Herceptin and I used to be a heavy smoker. In fact, your doctor may recommend a MUGA before starting the Herceptin so that they have a starting point with the condition of your heart. Keep in mind that this is all precautionary. Herceptin may cause congestive heart failure, but the numbers are extremely low. Other than adding to your tiredness, I have had no other side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor is there is a family history of heart problems - mom, dad, siblings, etc. They will be extra cautious and on notice to watch more closely.

This is the complication of being HER2 positive, your body creates a protein that allows cancer cells to grow and the cancer can appear anywhere, not just your breast. The Herceptin is supposed to block that protein in order to prevent the cancer cells from growing. I am also on Arimidex that is supposed to kill of any cells that may be left in my body after all the previous treatments. This is all layman terms, as I have been told and read about.

Talk to your doctor and ask as many questions as you need to. Talk to the nurses that administer the infusions, they are very helpful and can sometimes give you a more down to earth explanation of the pros and cons. After a year of receiving Herceptin, I am fine. The alternative I'm told would be to risk other cancers and I definitely don't want to go through this again.

Good Luck and God Bless, Ruth

Ruth:

Thankyou for the information.  It is very informative and it helps me alot!

Especially the explanation of the her2 overexpression..the dr. tried to explain that the day he was telling me about the herceptin but some of it went right over my head,  and my husbands as he was with me that day.It does help for another person to be in there talking to the dr too..he helped remember things that i didnt.. but I didnt remember about the reason for the herceptin.. an overexpression of a protein gene?   It can sprout cancer anywhere?  I do remember him saying that now..  I am glad you have fared pretty good with taking it.. I am suppose to have it every 3 weeks, for how long I dont know..  I think he said for 3 months and then he would re scan me to see if it is controlling the cancer that is still wanting to live in there.. I guess I have to quit being such a skeptic if the medicine does show that good of promise for controlling the cancer beast! 

thankyou so much, this has very helpful..  this is a good site for anyone to read as we do get honest answers from others who are in the same situation.. Hope you are doing well..

blessings!!

Jodie

My wife who is 35 years old was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer at stage four (Metastasis to liver and bone).  She has now been on Taxol and Herceptin for a little over two months.  She has a fantastic results so far, a  75% reduction in tumor markers and bone metastasis pain gone. Herceptin has very little cardiac toxicity compared to other chem therapies.  Actually the drug you are now ( Avastin) has more cardiac toxicity.  I am not a doctor but have done hundreds of hours of research on available treatments for Her2+ metastatic breast cancer. 

if you have the time a great way to research is  http://www.breastcancerupdate.com/patients/default.htm

Dr. Neil love interviews top oncologists around the world and produces CDs and MPEG downloads. 

 good luck, I know you'll do well on Herceptin.

Hi Jodie - I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in Sept. of 2003.  I had a lumpectomy, chemo (AC), and 7 weeks of radiation.  I had a 1cm. spot in my breast and one small spot in my lymphnodes.  I got through everything quite well.  In Sept. 2006, I had a recurrence in my breast and a pet scan revealed a spot in my lung.  I had a thoracotomy (surgery through my back to remove the spot in my lung) because it was in a hard to reach spot.  I took four rounds of Taxotere and a year of Herceptin because I am ER & PR+ and HER2+.  I had no side effects on Herceptin whatsoever.  I am 45 years old and have always exercised so my body is in decent shape.  I think Herceptin is revoluationary and so does my doctor.  If you have heart problems, it might increase the risk, but my heart is fine and I've had a lot of powerful drugs put in me.  My last treatment was in October and so far, so good.  I also take Arimidex and have the joint pain and stiffness.  I can live with the side effects, I'd be too afraid to not take it.  I live my life pretty much the same way I always have - cancer or no cancer.  I work full-time and have a great life with my four sons and two grandchildren!

 I believe we will all be alive to experience a great breakthrough in cancer research and it will come soon!

 Marcia