Muga Scan for Tykerb?
 

I'll be starting Tykerb as soon as I receive it in the mail....my Onc said that I will continue to have Muga scans. Is this customary and if so, is Tykerb as bad on the heart as Herceptin is?

I do not know the specific stats on Tykerb vs Herceptin effect on the heart, if there are any.

I do know that when I was on Tykerb I continued to have my LVEF monitored but it seemed that my "numbers" were better than when on Herceptin. So that's my one person statistic:)

Since Her2 is also expressed in cardiac tissue, they do want to monitor your heart health whenever targeting Her2 - being cancer-free won't do us much good without beating hearts...

Hope you do well on the Tykerb/Xeloda. Make sure you check out the side effect recommendations (hutchibk's got the master post on this!). Most people find the side effects manageable, but some have needed dosage adjustments.

Hang in there,
chris

Barb,

What does Intensive LE therapy 12/08 -1/09
mean in your signature? I had to have MUGA many times because my heart pumping function was decreasing.

I suspect your doctor just wanted to follow up your heart function. Because after Herceptin, one's heart could have problem 3 months, 6 months later.

Thanks Chris and Jackie for responding to my question! Most of my questions are answered well before they are even a question in my mind by all of the knowledgeable people on this site. Thank you!
My Muga Scan numbers have been great throughout my year and 1/2 on Herceptin. It will be interesting to see how I do with Tykerb in that respect as well as with the other side effects. I will be starting with 5 tablets a day. As someone recommended here (Flori?), I think I will start at 3 and work my way up to 5 over the course of the first week.
Jackie, Intensive LE therapy is Lymphedema therapy for a couple of months, wrapping 24/7. Not fun at all!
~Barb

Glad your MUGA is so good - that should help with your treatment.

Thanks for the explanation. I just added 'LE' to my signature after 'cellulitis'. I had the same 'wrapping-up' treatment after getting bitten by some tiny bugs and have been wearing custom-made compression sleeve and glove (made by 'medi'.)

Take it easy.