Herceptin

On 11/28/2008 1986E wrote:

Anyone on Herceptin?  How are you doing?  What side effects do you have, and if so, what are you doing for them?

I was on herceptin for 6 months before changing dr's.  I did not have harsh side effects.  A little Gi up set in my gutt, but it wasnt so bad that I couldnt function.  I am not on it now..I changed drs in October and when I did the new guy decided I had, had enough of the herceptin.  So far so good.  Herceptin is known to be toxic to the heart though, and so for this reason they will monitor your heart closely.  Or at least they are suppose to.  If you develop any heart concerns from it, they may have to stop giving it to you. 

Sorry to hear you are having to take it though, for the obvious reason it is given for.  I suppose it is safe to assume that you are her2 positive.  As am I,  I am in stage lV with my breast cancer.  It was found in that stage in May of 07.  It is now in my lungs..  and so far no where else.  But I am doing ok, and had avastin/taxotere in 07/08.  I am now in clinical remission..and hoping to stay that way for a while. 

Best wishes..hope you have good results as well from the herceptin.

Jodie

On 11/28/2008 1986E wrote:

Anyone on Herceptin?  How are you doing?  What side effects do you have, and if so, what are you doing for them?

I am in outback australia.

I have been on Herceptin for about 20 months now.

No side effects. 

I have not been told of  or monitored  - for any heart side affects.

I have it every 21 days.

Heather

I have been taking Herceptin for since July 08.  At first it was with Taxel on a weekly basis.  Now it is every three weeks alone.  When it was weekly I started to itch on the top of both shoulders.  Not all of the time and in a small area.  Now it is both of my shoulders and the area is much larger.  I use Aquaphor by Eucerin.  It takes care of the itching and is the only thing (besides ice) that will relieve it.  There is no pattern to the time or stress level that I can relate to this problem.  I am supposed to be on Herceptin until July 21, 09.  I do have some heart issues such as a drop in my ejection fraction and it is enlarged.  I have another muga scann on Dec. 29, 08.  Otherwise there are no other side effects that have occured.  I need to be on Herceptin as I am HER2+ x3.  I will stay on it as long as I can.  I hope this helps.  God Bless!  He will get you through this.   Take care.

Deb

I took herceptin for 18 months.  I felt a little tired and gained weight.  I got a dose every 21 days.  My heart was monitored and it went good for me.

I am taking Arimedex now...a little stiff in the joints.

I am so sorry you are having to take this but it does get better. 

Good Luck and God Bless

I took Herceptin for one year back in 2006.  I had NO side effects.  I took Taxotere with it in the beginning for four treatments (every 3 weeks) and then took just the Herceptin for the entire year.  I had Stage II breast cancer in 2003 and it recurred in 2006.  They also found a small spot on my lung.  I had a mastectomy and they removed the spot surgically from my lung.  I then took the Taxotere and Herceptin.  That has been 2-1/2 years ago.  I take Arimidex daily and they inject a capsule into my stomach every three months to keep me post-menopausal.  I have gained about 20 pounds from all of this, but as of today, am cancer free!!  So I am a Stage IV breast cancer patient who feels blessed with everything that has been given to me.  I've never had bad reactions to my chemos.  I was given Adriamycin and Cytoxin in 2003. My hair thinned with the Taxotere and then stayed thin until my Herceptin was finished, but I did not have to wear a wig.

 The Arimidex causes joint pain and I have recently started getting numbing sensations in my hands and feet, especially when I am sleeping.  I will gladly accept these side effects if it means I remain cancer-free!

 You will do fine with the Herceptin and, most of the time, it is a miraculous drug that has done wonderful things!  I keep reading about a vaccine for HER2 positive cancer patients - I hope we can take that soon!

 Take care and keep the faith!

Marcia

Just be very sure to get a echo cardiogram every 3 months. I had to stop the Herceptin 3 times in 18 months to give my heart a chnce to .recup.

I have a treatment every 3 weeks,after 3 treatments I have the echo.

With the Herceptin's help we will beat this.I was at the library today, I checked out a very interesting book

Her2 The making of Herceptin, by Robert Bazell

After you read that book you are going to feel great that you can have it.

Ev.