HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!

Caroline UK · 04-12-2007, 02:38 AM

Sherri, when I was having the chemo drug epirubicin I experienced the same thing and like you, I absolutely hated that side effect. I just wanted those horrible chemicals out of my body; it felt like an invasion, even though I knew it might be saving my life.

I was advised by an oncology nurse, on a charity helpline here in the UK (CancerBackup), to try sucking strong peppermint sweets ('candy' I think you call it!) WHILE the drug is being infused. To my amazement it worked very well. The only trouble is that now, 8 months after chemo finished, I can't stand peppermint! But that's fine. I don't know if this will help with Herceptin. Good luck with it, thinking of you.

04-12-2007, 02:38 AM	#15
Caroline UK Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 96	Sherri, when I was having the chemo drug epirubicin I experienced the same thing and like you, I absolutely hated that side effect. I just wanted those horrible chemicals out of my body; it felt like an invasion, even though I knew it might be saving my life. I was advised by an oncology nurse, on a charity helpline here in the UK (CancerBackup), to try sucking strong peppermint sweets ('candy' I think you call it!) WHILE the drug is being infused. To my amazement it worked very well. The only trouble is that now, 8 months after chemo finished, I can't stand peppermint! But that's fine. I don't know if this will help with Herceptin. Good luck with it, thinking of you. __________________ Caroline Diag. March 10th 2006, aged 46. Invasive ductal carcinoma, 2cm + multifocal. Stage 2, Grade 3 HER2+++, ER+/PR+ Right mast. May 2006. 6 of 20 nodes positive FEC x 4, taxotere x 4; port implanted after 6 cycles Rads x 25 1 year of Herceptin ended Nov 07. Arimidex 5 years Considering reconstruction, maybe soon...