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@shorty123 I have been on Herceptin for 20 years, sometimes alone and otherwise with a chemo. I have an echo every 3-4 months (tons easier than a MUGA scan), and my heart is fine.

I have no side effects from it and have my infusion for a half hour. There is a Herceptin injection available, but the side effects from those can be hard.

I am at almost 24 years of Stage 4 MBC de novo and credit my longevity to Herceptin.

Shorty, I did do herceptin and it wasn't bad at all. Something to consider if you decide to do it is to have them run the infusion for an hour instead of a half hour. Some gals who did have problems with herceptin had the duration of the infusion increased to 90 minutes and it really, really helped. My first infusion was run at 30 minutes but it felt wierd so they increased the infusion time to 60 minutes.

As far as heart concerns, I had a MUGA scan every 3 months and I think once every 3 months is standard protocol. Here is a description that I found which explains a little more about a MUGA scan. "This mode of imaging uniquely provides a cine type of image of the beating heart, and allows the interpreterto determine the efficiency of the individual heart valves and chambers. MUGA/Cine scanning represents a robust adjunct to the now more common echocardiogram".

I was triple positive and I am now 16 years out. I would get a second opinion on treatment recommendation.

Sending you positive wishes.

Elizabeth