Topic: Taking Herceptin for a full year?

My onc said it was basically a random choice and that there is an upcoming study to compare 1 year to 2 years of Herceptin. He also said the effects seem to be long lasting tho it hasn't been around long enough to really measure it. I may be stopping after 9 months because my EF went down 30%-so I guess I'll take whatever I can get and believe it will have lasting effects

Henny

Kimbly,
Good question. I awaiting results from my MUGA test which was yesterday. My port goes in Monday and Chemo starts Tuesday. The week of the 19th is tentatively the start of my year long Herceptin.

Henny and Mary Jo...I see your both ER-/PR- as I am. Was your chemo A/C followed by Taxol or just A/C.

Roxi

Hey Kimbly,

     I was in one of the original trials for herc. in 2000. Half of the women were put on herc. for 6 months while the other half were put  on it for 1 year. Random draw, nothing to do with dx (except for her2 status) of course after having chemo and radiation I was looking to get the 6 month draw. I didn't, and started the year, thinking that maybe I would withdraw after 6 months, because I was just so tired of more treatments. Once I got going with the weekly treatments they didn't seem too bad, and I managed to stick to it for the year, I really didn't want to screw with the trial study too much either.Well that was almost 8 yrs ago, and soon after that the protocal became women getting it for 1 yr. I guess the data show those of us with the yr didn't have any more s/e's and maybe our recur time was better. Not really sure, but I did have a pretty good run being NED, until 2006 when I had my recur to the lungs.I have been on herceptin now this time for over two years, along with chemo drugs for 2 years. I have been stable again now since Nov. and only get the herc. every 3 weeks instead of weekly.

    I too will be on herc for life like Denny. As long as the heart shows no signs of side effects, but so far so good. With the trip +++, the cancer is very aggressive, and the only way to treat it is aggressively. I believe the herc. has made a huge difference in my BC staying somewhat under control. Hope this helps you with some of your questions about herc..Talk to your oncologist about how long he will keep you on it. I'm happy to hear that Denny has been on for over 3 yrs. with little problems, and how good  it is working for her. This is why it is so important to talk and ask questions here.. I wish you the best  KLynn

Thank you for all your replies ladies.  I saw so many doctors this week including my onc. and forgot to ask this question.  I have had it in the back of my mind for awhile now actually but it slips out frequently I guess LOL 

I started Herceptin in December with my chemo, chemo finished at the end of March.  I have the remainder of the year of herceptin.  My onc did stress to me when I asking about supplements etc that right now regardless of all the other things I can do to help keep the cancer at bay .. Herceptin is my key!!!  It is good to know that with those that have had mets that herceptin works!!!  I have had two muga's and so far so good, due for another in July.  I don't see my onc. now for 6 weeks so will right that question down for the next visit.  OR I do have a friend who works in a cancer center in northern Ontario perhaps I can ask her to ask one of her drs there.   

Hi Everyone,
Roxi I did have A/C every 2 weeks (x4) followed by taxol (x4) and herceptin.

Miss S-I guess I wasn't surprised about continuing the herceptin. My pre-chemo EF was 83%-being a swimmer and I have (had??) a really strong heart. I work at an imaging clinic and had a CT angiogram just before I got diagnosed with good heart motion and very clean vessels. My EF now is 54%. I do have days when I am short of breath and tired but it is odd that I only occasionally feel that way. I'm going to have another MUGA next week and if my EF is lower that's the end of herceptin for me.

I was freaked out about that at first because my onc said if it weren't for herceptin our conversations now would be about how to control mets. Am now getting more used to the idea that i have done all I can and whatever is in the future, I can't control. So I made a reservation to go to Italy to see my brother who lives there. Why not take a trip using plastic and worry about paying for it later? After 9/11 I kept saying "live life now" and this bc has spurred me to do that more

Henny

Congratulations EGAL,
Here's to the old energy returning and goodbye to the nasty fatigue

Henny

HI,

I guess we all have the same question,  for how long do we take herceptin.  I did 4DD A/C 12 weeks taxol/herceptin and then herceptin until today!! Today should be my herceptin day, but my year is up and the Dr. says I'm done.  I have to say it feels funny that it has been three weeks since my last herceptin and I don't have to go today.  When I got up this morning I felt good then I thought I'm not having blood drawn today I'm not getting herceptin today does that mean I get cancer back today???  I guess herceptin is my security blanket.  I am looking forward to getting more energy and not having the port but I must admit I am feeling a little scared.

Debi