Still on weekly

[Jessica]

Hi Lolly,
After the loading dose, I've continued on weekly Herceptin since last May. I tried the 3 week dosage once, after (gloriously!!)NED, but felt too crappy afterwards.I just met w/my onc about trying again now that it's been 6 months since my last chemo, and since, but my EF has dropped from 67 to 59 and now 53.My onc wants to hold off on changing my dosing until I meet with a cardiologist. I would like to switch just for the convenience, but obviously won't compromise my heart health.
Any thoughts?
Keep the faith!
Jessica

[Lolly]

Hi Jessica,
I had been on Herceptin 1 & 1/2 years before I had an ECG, and had switched to the 3 weekly just 4 months previous to that first test. My LEVF was 55%. Six months later it was 65-70%; Six months after that it was 57%, and the latest one, two weeks ago, showed it at 55%. One of my doctors told me if 3 different doctors read the test you get 3 different readings!
However, I've noticed that when the readings have been higher, it's when there's been a longer period of time since my last Herceptin; the 65-70% reading was from a test done almost 3 weeks after an infusion, right BEFORE the next one; the lowest readings have all been taken just a few days after having had an infusion.
These are just unscientific observations, but I think I will be sure and schedule my next test right before an infusion and see what happens.
I don't know if this is helpful at all, except it has been shown that some women who've shown lowered EF have been given a rest and had their heart recover...It'd be a tough decision, and I hope you're a long way from that, but my thinking is that if you went to the 3 weekly, your heart WOULD have more time to recover between infusions, and it might actually work better for you. Hope this helps and I haven't just confused the issue!
Hugs,
Lolly