Herceptin - Quick Side Effects Poll
Comments
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Ado, are you getting the Herceptin every 3 weeks or weekly? I have been getting it weekly with the only SE being a runny nose. It is run over 1/2 hour. I start the every 3 week dose today so It will be interesting to see what happens. My facility runs the every 3 week infusion over 1/2 hr also.
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I had a runny nose tinged with blood when I was on the weekly taxol/Heceptin regimen. Now that I'm on Herceptin alone, the nose has finally stopped dripping.
I get benedryl and Zantac as pre-meds with my 30 minute Herceptin infusion.
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Ado - I have had nausua a few times, seems to come and go for me. Very infrequently, I will also get some nose bleeding. I'm glad I'm not getting benedryl as that used to make me nausuous with the Taxol.
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I had bendryl and pepcid via IV as premeds at each of my herceptin only's - they didn't give me those when I was having herceptin weekly, they started this when we went to every third week.
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I don't get any premeds for my 3 week Herceptin. They run it for 1/2 hour and I'm out of there.
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I am the same as sewingnut. Quick and easy for me. I know not so for many others!
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Saw Oncologist yesterday and she acknowledged that Herceptin does cause tiredness and lethargy and that it has a cumulative effect. I have it every 3 weeks and have 2 more to go so should finish in July. I told her that I had been exercising regularly but the weight was going back on. I did admit to too much ice cream and a few cakes but surely not enough to counteract the exercise. She agreed it is probably the tamoxifen and the fact that I was put in to chemical menopause by the chemo. I obviously need to keep up the exercise as I will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am going to banish the scales to the loft as although I keep saying it doesn't matter as long as I am well old habits die hard. After the last Herceptin I will have one more heart scan, apparently the H has not affected it at all, and then see her every 6 months for 5 years. No scans. It is up to me to report any symptoms. I asked her about the risk of womb cancer from Tamoxifen and she said it is a risk but very rare and even if it it did present itself it is usually very early and can be dealt with. She did also say that I could e mail her with any worries and she would see me within 24 hours. They can do that because they don't scan everyone. I don't know which I would prefer really. Anyone any thoughts or experience of a different regime ?
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just have to share my news...dreaded PET was yesterday to see how the Herceptin has been helping out the tumor on my liver...either I would be getting a liver resection this summer if it was still just one tumor, or re-evaluating my meds if it spread to other area's of the liver. Awesome news...no tumor to be found ANYWHERE!!!! Will talk with my onc tomorrow about whether or not I still should be getting the resection, but just so relieved and now stress-free. I feel so blessed..found out about the liver tumor a week after I was dx with the BC back in Sept. Brings a whole new meaning to walking the Survivor Lap in tomorrow nights Relay for Life! I credit it all to Herceptin!!!
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thegood5,
AWESOME news. That survivor lap will be even sweeter!!
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The good5- fantastic news!! That's so awesome.
Christine0 -
That's the best news I've heard all day - I'm so happy for you! Gives me ever more faith in Herceptin!
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BRILLIANT NEWS !
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good5--Great news! Thanks for sharing!!
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Frank, you are hysterical!
I am getting weekly Herceptin plus Taxol for 12 weeks, then 4 rounds of AC, then Herceptin every 3 weeks for 9 additional months. So, that's 24 doses total. Lovely. I just had round 6 of the weekly Taxol and while I receive the weekly doses, I get it over a 30-minute period.
The only symptoms I had were a runny nose the first week or two. Then, it stopped. I think because the chemo is drying my nasal passages (and everything else), it is countering the effect. The first week I did feel a little warm one night. Also, I get facial flushing on day 2 but I think that might be the Taxol and not the Herceptin. Does anyone know?
It will be interesting to see what happens when I get the H alone. I didn't realize the dose would be bigger so, I am sure the SE's will be enhanced, too. Great. What's not to like?? Thanks for the nail tip. I will start applying the nail hardener when that happens.0 -
Thegood5-congrats!!!!!! Wonderful news. I love your avatar. It's so nice to hear good news.
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The good5-wonderful news. I think you should dance thru your survivor lap.
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Good5....Bless you. Great news! Fantastic for you and your loved ones. HOORAY!!! My docs keep telling me that Herceptin is a miracle drug.
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Good morning...Is anyone else having problems with low potassium and magnesium levels?
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Hi Bon (and everyone else!) - I haven't posted in quite awhile, though I do still read posts frequently...I have had continuous problems with my potassium and magnesium levels. The question of the week (I do my Herceptin weekly) is "How low is my potassium today?" I currently take 60meq. of potassium twice a day, and 400 mg. magnesium twice a day. I think my potassium was 4.1 Monday. From what I understand, the magnesium acts as a stabilizer, and if it is low, the potassium will continue to be low. I think they have to do a seperate test for magnesium - it's not automatically part of the regular stuff they test prior to treatment.
I think my nails are close to normalizing...another few weeks and all of the taxotere yuck-ness should be grown out so they can actually start to grow. Hair is nice and thick, though still very short...I get lots of compliments from the women about it - they all love it this short. My husband, though, is just waiting for it to grow - he likes it long - the longer the better. I'm kinda enjoying it short, especially with the full-force hot flashes!! LOL!
Had my PET a couple weeks ago - it was NORMAL!!!!! YAY!!! I have my first post-everything mammogram scheduled for sometime the first of July. I'm confident that it, too, will be fine.
Feeling great, as a rule, though it does appear that general joint and muscle aches and pains are amplified. Since I've had chronic (especially foot) pain for several years, it's hard to tell if it's tx related, or just the normal progression of things. Nothing debilitating, thankfully! Energy level is generally good, but when the fatigue does it, it pretty much stops me and forces me to get some rest instead of continuing to push on like I have in the past.
Loving summer! Haven't made it to the beach yet, but hopefully in the next few weeks it will happen. I do have a pool, so I try to spend at least a couple hours floating (and reading) every Saturday and Sunday. Weekdays I get some lap-swimming in sometimes in the evening, though not nearly as often as I would like!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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Betty...thanks for the info on magnesium. I did look up something on it and found that the form I have isn't water soluble so I am off to the drugstore today to get a different prep.
And CONGRATULATIONS on a clean PET scan. That's a big step! Hooray!!!
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Hello all
Thegood5 that is great news. From my point of view it is even better news as my cancer is in the form of metastised liver tumours. I hope that my outcome is as good as yours. I like your pic. The Scan one before last did show a definite contraction of the 2 large tumours though no change in the small tumour. I had another CT Scan recently and get the results on 22nd June which is when I next visit the Onc and have my next dose of H.
Am just home from a week in the sun on the island of Malta. It is a very historical island with loads of great restaurants and of course fresh fish - which I love - features greatly on menus. each morning before breakie I went out for a walk and there were people starting to sunbathe on the beach at 8 00 in the morning ! ! I felt like going over to them and saying "Did you ever hear of skin cancer ? ? ?" Obviously I don't sunbathe and if I do lie by the pool it's under a parasol.
Patriotic thank you. Are the 2 children in your pic twins?
Ado when you have cancer you are allowed to have generous portions of ice cream and cakes. You should have seen the afternoon teas which were served in the hotel I was in in Malta. Apart from the sandwiches which were served there was also cake stand in the shape of a spiral absolutely filled with cakes and buns - hhhhhmmmmmm lol.
Take care all
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Hi everyone just had number 16 and thanks Frank having read your message I am typing and eating a piece of chocolate rice krispie cake mad by my mother in law and I feel better already. Your holiday sounds great Frank. We are going on a cruise in August and I intend to really chill out and eat eat eat !
Number 16 was ok, my home nurse is great. She focuses everything on the patient and nothing on the paperwork. Once she hooks me up she has her strong coffee courtesy of my husband who then disappears as we chat and chat and it goes so quickly. We are going to keep in touch afterwards. One of the bonus points from this disease is the number of great people I have met along the way including on this site I am sure you all agree. It is so comforting to be able to log on and read everyones news especially the good stuff and to check out SE's.
Time for more cake I think.
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Yesterday I had #4 Herceptin and all went well as far as infusion. Several hours later, I was so tired I could not keep my eyes open any longer. Went to sleep on and off until I went to bed at 9:00. Feel mostly myself today.
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Had #10 on Tuesday. Yesterday afternoon felt very faint and sick, but was on 5th grade class trip, not sure if it was related to Herceptin or not. Was also my 3mo f/u with MO and she is checking my Vit D levels to see if I need more of that. We'll see how next week goes, as that is when I seem to get my most side effects.
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Hi all
Herceptin dose number 9 tomorrow (Wednesday). I also will get the results of my last CT Scan and ECG both of which are 3 monthly. Here's hoping, though I do feel that I will get positive results - well as positive as one can get when one has a little medical prob called cancer !
Ado for father's day my 2 princesses bought me a (good) bottle of wine, a beautiful card and a large bar of dark chocolate -70% cocoa yum ! The holiday was great thanks. I went for a walk each morning before breakie to go to 8 30 mass which was in Maltese which is a very Arabic sounding language. As I have no Maltese the priest could have been reciting verses from the Koran for all I knew lol. However I said a few prayers each morning for all fighting cancer particularly those who post on here and on another thread on this website.
You should have seen the size of the 2 cruise ships that were in Valetta (capital of Malta), absolutely massive.. Last year one of the Cystal line cruise ships was in Belfast and a Travel Agent gave us one of the invites to tour it for the day. I was very impressed. We have discussed a few times about going on a cruise. Maybe some day.
Maybe some one might post the symptoms of neuropathy please. Getting slightly strange sensations in my feet and hands.
Take care all
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Herceptin # 18...OVER AND DONE!!! I'm finally finishedand so thrilled to have made it through. My chemo with Herceptin began 6/23/10 and the Herceptin alone ended yesterday, 6/22/11. Every three weeks for one full year!
Thanks to you all for the valuable information and encouragement along the way. Onward and upward. I will let you know when I see an improvement in my nails and stamina. Hoping that is soon,
All the best to you. Hugs. Bon
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Way to go Bon! Congrats!!!
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I am so excited for you! I can't wait until I can get on here and post the same news! (13 more for me)
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Congrats Bon! Mutst be a great feeling. Had my first Herceptin 5/16 so I have a long way to go still.
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Congrats Bon! celebrate!
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