Trying to decide whether to take Tykerb
 

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there has/had brain mets and what your tx has been. My January MRI showed shrinking from stereotactic rads and no new ones. But how long does it take to really shrink?
I restarted herceptin every 3 weeks even though it does not cross BBB. It just makes feel better taking it. My body CT and PET show no disease. I can take Tykerb but I decided to wait until my next MRI to consider taking it. Any thoughts or comments on tx?
I feel fine and my headaches are pretty much gone. I just don't know if I should be proactive and take the Tykerb or do the "wait and see".
Thanks.

Re: Trying to decide whether to take Tykerb
 

I haven't had brain mets so don't know how long they take to shrink. When is your next MRI scheduled? That would probably be a factor in my decision on treatment because I wouldn't want to wait if it was going to be a while but if it was within the next couple of weeks, I'd probably go ahead and wait to see what the MRI showed. Have you asked your oncologist about it?

Re: Trying to decide whether to take Tykerb
 

Hi Lucy, so nice of you to reply. Sometimes I feel like posting here gives my husband and I a chance to think aloud as we go through this journey. I just had an MRI in Jan so my next one is in April, about 7 weeks away. I got a second opinion at UCSF and that onc said Tykerb is an option if I wanted. At first, when I discovered the brain mets, I wanted to take it right away. But after rads, (and recovery, the fatigue and headaches were awful after just those 2 SRS sessions, I feel so much better. I'm actually feeling like my normal self again (well, except for what seems like long term neuropathy and sleepless nights). But then I think, those pesky mets can creep up on me at any time. I don't know if I want to deal with the SE of Tykerb right now. Still thinking on it. Hoping others will chime in, for any feedback.