HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Evidence Mounts on Heart Failure After Trastuzumab in Breast Cancer Survivors

StephN · 09-17-2012, 11:08 AM

This is a thread that is appropriate for me.

I was on Herceptin for almost 8 years. My MUGA dropped a little once and I took a short Herceptin holiday, then resumed, remaining NED during that time.

I had been taking CoEnzyme Q10 for a couple of years prior to my diagnosis, on the basis that heart problem run in my father's side. Continued to take the supplement most of my 2-year active/chemo/rads treatment time. Still take it.

Also ate heart healthy, low fat diet, which became more organic upon diagnosis.

My curious side has to wonder if factors like family history, diet, exercise level, lifestyle were incorporated into this "evidence," which could combine with the affects of Herceptin for heart failure.

I also had Adriamycin, Taxotere and Taxol, which are also cardiotoxic. In my case there are a number of ways my heart could be affected besides taking Herceptin.

Bob, let us know how it went with the T-DM1.

09-17-2012, 11:08 AM	#29
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Evidence Mounts on Heart Failure After Trastuzumab in Breast Cancer Survivors This is a thread that is appropriate for me. I was on Herceptin for almost 8 years. My MUGA dropped a little once and I took a short Herceptin holiday, then resumed, remaining NED during that time. I had been taking CoEnzyme Q10 for a couple of years prior to my diagnosis, on the basis that heart problem run in my father's side. Continued to take the supplement most of my 2-year active/chemo/rads treatment time. Still take it. Also ate heart healthy, low fat diet, which became more organic upon diagnosis. My curious side has to wonder if factors like family history, diet, exercise level, lifestyle were incorporated into this "evidence," which could combine with the affects of Herceptin for heart failure. I also had Adriamycin, Taxotere and Taxol, which are also cardiotoxic. In my case there are a number of ways my heart could be affected besides taking Herceptin. Bob, let us know how it went with the T-DM1. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.