Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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Here is some info about Roche and the new sub-q Herceptin, approved for use in Europe.
http://www.roche.com/media/media_releases/med-cor-2013-09-02.htm
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That is interesting. Thanks for sharing the link.
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Wow, this is great but most likely won't be approved in the US during our time... It would have been great to take this port out early and look normal0 -
Hi Guys - I am really new to this site as far as posting goes. But was wondering how those that had to do herceptin did when you only had the herceptin? I did everything backwards - chemo first then the surgery (bilateral mastectomy last week) and my pathology report showed my her2 inconclusive ... and they are redoing the test right now. I had previously tested negative twice - at the initial biopsy and for the mammoprint. So I am kinda freaking out right now - and really discouraged. I thought I was almost done... I would have done radiation in a few weeks and then would have been put on tamoxifin. Still hoping that is going to be the plan ....but preparing for the other ....
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Mary Herceptin was a breeze for me. It's not like chemo at all. Some folk got a bit stiff but they slowed their infusion time down. For me I did the 30 minute infusion then went about my day. Herceptin in not chemo. You won't have those nasty side effects like chemo.
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Mary - What chemo did you originally have? For Herceptin only, I had them do the infusion over 90 minutes instead of 30, but also had no major issues - except the hair & nails will grow back more slowly. I had radiation every day while I was doing only herceptin every three weeks w/o any problems. Don't worry - as Lago says Herceptin is easy and it shouldn't delay the rest of your treatment.
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Herceptin is certainly much easier than chemo. I'm not having any side physical side effects, but its still a bit stressful. I worry about the possible effects on the heart. So far the LVEF only dropped from 63-60. Next MUGA is Tuesday, fingers crossed for good news. Although the treatments are easy and short, I think it will be easier to move forward when I don't have to go to the infusion center every three weeks and relive unpleasant memories.
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I had chemo then surgery, and I start Herceptin-only this Friday to finish out my year of Herceptin. I'm hoping it's as easy and uneventful as people say. During chemo they ran it over an hour for me, so I'm going to ask about that, as I don't want to risk any problems if they run it faster the first time.
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It should be your decision how fast to run the Herceptin. Lots of infusion centers push 30 minutes. I had one at 60 minutes and still found more "creakiness" than I wanted to deal with, so I opted for 90 minutes.
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Mary - I actually got sick the next morning from my first round of Herceptin alone (given over 30 minutes). The next time (as advised from the wonderful ladies in this forum) I had the infusion over 90 minutes and never had anymore trouble. Until the heart damage showed up......
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THank you all for answering so quickly.... I had six rounds of taxotere and cytoxan before my surgery and then had surgery about a week ago. BlownAway - when you said you got sick - like puke sick or just not feeling swift - and did you have those symptoms the first solo round? I did fairly well through chemo- it wasn't a walk in the park, but I think I did better than most. My counts never went down and I typically had the aches and more gerd sour stomach and the weird taste of food for about a week but was not flat on my back in bed.
I also want to thank you all for posting here, because when I first got the pathology report I was freaking out bad! I started reading posts on here and continued to read for about two hours and calmed immensely. I am sorry we are all dealing with this awful stuff but boy does it help hearing from those that have experienced some of the things I fear and dread. I had a great day yesterday and it was the first time in probably six months I did not sob all the way through mass. Thanks for that!
How severe is the heart damage? And is it possible that it will reverse once you are off the meds?A dear friend of mine had to have a heart transplant five years out of chemo and I wonder if it was due to the drugs???
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mary Adrymicin is a chemo that can have heart issues. You didn't get that. It can happen with herceptin (left valve issue) too but most of the time its' reversible and is not all that common. They don't let it get that bad. They will stop if there is an issue.
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I keep looking for the "LIKE" button ! Can you tell I am a facebook junkie!
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I used to look for that LIKE button as well but we do have a like emoticon here (click on the smiley)
and unlike facebook we have the DISLIKE button too
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Mary - I actually got sick and threw up the morning after my first Herceptin (30 minute infusion). After that first time, I had the Herceptin over 90 minutes and was just fine. After my first TCH, I was sick for 3 days so I guess I'm just prone to it but I learned from the ladies here which steroids that I should be getting during the infusions to prevent nausea. I was getting them all but 1 (Emend). I asked to have it added to the punch recipe and never was nauseated again (until the first Herceptin only when they also stopped all steroids).
As for the heart issue: I only had 3-4 rounds of Herceptin by itself, after having had 4 rounds of TCH, plus left side rads. They do echos every 3 months and somewhere during that time period, the heart issue occurred. It could have been just the Herceptin and maybe the rads also. I have a Cardio appointment tomorrow and also an appointment to remove the port because my doc says no more Herceptin for me (I was supposed to have it every 3 weeks until July). Will post after my appointment re if heart has improved, etc.
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Good Luck at the cardiologist tomorrow! I just got my drainage tubes out today and I feel FREE!!!! LOL Except my armpits are chapped from rubbing together because of the swelling. And what the heck are the side boobs all about!
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good luck blownaway. I am off taxotere now. That actually affected my lungs . Hand to do a 21 day chemo break. Not fun with active cancer. Now on a different chemo. I have a tri-level. Couldn't walk up the small flight of steps without stopping to catch my breath. Was on taxotere for 5 1/2 months. That drug is accumulative . I can't be off of chemo, so we stay on as long as we can to each can.
So now I am on an old one. Cmf 5 fu. Gotta find out if there is a thread on that one.
Good luck to all...hugs
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The cardiologist says that my LVEF is now 45/46. My normal was 56, I had dropped to 35 and after taking heart meds, I have gained back 1/2 of what I lost. I'm told to go ahead and exercise as much as I feel like - if I get winded, just stop. Cancer treatment will not be resumed as it is apparently too risky for me. My new treatment plan is to take my Tamoxifen and cross my fingers. I am being sent to an endocrinologist about my osteoporosis and hypothyroidism. I have always just let my primary care physician handle those issues but now it appears the cancer center doctors will take over everything.
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Blownaway -- That's great that you are gaining heart function back. I hope it continues to come back for you.
I have a friend who had her heart damaged by Herceptin. They delayed her treatment until she got a bit better, but her heart remained damaged enough that she still has less function. That's pretty scary. I can see why your docs stopped the treatment. Hopefully yours isn't as bad and with the cease in treatment you can come all the way back with no problems. (My friend was treated years ago, so they should know more about this all by now.)
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Blownaway - supposedly the damage from Adriamycin is permament but the damage from Herceptin is temporary. I had constant Echos to make sure mine wasn't going too low - and had to stop the Herceptin for the period of time I was taking "the red devil".
I think it's great that the MO is going to direct your total health. Mine was doing the same until he retired the end of the year. Did you say you're at MDA?
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Minus-Two - Yes, from the beginning I've been at MD Anderson at the medical center in Houston but toward the end, I asked to be transferred to their location in the Woodlands because it is so much closer to home. Now that I have cardiologists and endocrynologists thrown into the mix, and the Woodlands location doesn't have any, I'm right back where I started, except for my new onco in the Woodlands who I really like better than the one I had at the medical center. I also did my rads in the Woodlands. I hate driving into H town!
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Blownaway. I did my Rads at MDA Katy - much closer to me. I sure didn't want to drive to the med center every darn day. Also doing PT at MDA Katy for radiation fibrosis & lymphadema. Great therapist. But like you - all my other varieties of docs are with Baylor or Methodist in the med Center. I know we should be greatful to have such wonderful care opportunities - but the traffic is a nightmare.
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Yes, SpecialK....thanks for those links!
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I just had my first chemo treatment yesterday. I feel okay today. Did that happen to anyone else and then not feel well the following day or after following treatments? I am on the TCH regime and get all three drugs every 3 weeks (for 10 treatments) and get only Herceptin on every other week, which I will get for a year and then radiation. Does anyone get Herceptin every week like I do? I have been reading these posts for a few weeks and you all have decreased my level of stress significantly
. Not what I had in mind for 2015, but I can do this.0 -
hi Barbara - did you get steroids? I did, I would feel good for 2 days after chemo, and fatigue would kick in from days 3-7, and then I would have an semi ok week and then a good week, and it would be chemo time again. During the latter part of the treatment my fatigue lasted more and I really felt ok only on the third week.
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I had TCHP every 3 weeks for 6 sessions. Didn't have it weekly. In terms of side effects, didn't start until 48-72 hours after the treatment....probably has to do with the steroids you still get the day after treatment. Just try to keep drinking and stay hydrated!! It will be difficult to eat(at least it was for me) but I forced myself to get something in me...
Best wishes,
Kathy
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Thanks Kathy and Windgirl. I guess this is what I was expecting. Good advice!
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Barbara, I had TCH for 6 rounds and I'm finishing up my herceptin only this year, only 6 more rounds to go. Everyone reacts differently to treatment, but you will notice that you'll develop a predictable pattern of what will be your good days or bad days. My bad days were days 5-10. Also, unfortunately, the side-effects are cumulative, meaning whatever you experience often gets a lttle worse each treatment. My worst round was#5, but my MO gave me an extra week to recover before #6 and also reduced the dose making it much more tolerable. Tell your MO how you are feeling, often there is something they can do to make you more comfortable. For me, that meant being scheduled for extra fluids a few days after treatment. Good luck to you and I hope your SE's are minimal.
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Barbara, like others I usually felt pretty good the day of the infusion and the next day. I was getting Neulasta shots too the day after, and the bone pain I'd get on days 2-4 was from that. I found chemo triggered migraines in me for the first 4 rounds and then didn't for the last 2 rounds. I kept a journal where I tracked how I felt, what meds I took, etc. and tried to look for patterns so that I could have some control from round to round. I'm getting Herceptin every three weeks and just had my first solo dose of it two days ago. I'll do that to finish out a full year of Herceptin. So far no discernible side effects from that other than a mild sore throat Friday night and some fatigue (but I might just be tired anyway from chemo and surgery). I agree with the others that staying as well hydrated as you can really helps. I got dehydrated once and got some extra fluids one day, which helped. For me rounds 5 and 6 actually got a little easier. It was almost like my body was getting used to chemo. Weird, but true. I never missed a treatment or had to delay one due to how I felt or how my blood counts were doing. everything bounced back enough between rounds to stay on schedule. Good luck to you.
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Barbara - I kept a log of side effects - day 1, day 2.... It helps when you go back the next time because you will be asked about side effects and it gets hard to remember everything. Also, you will begin to see a pattern and know what to expect from 1 day to the next.
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