[Darlene Denise]

Shelia: Would it be worth dropping the Herceptin, for now, going with the Xeloda & Tykerb to see if you get a result? Some gals get remarkable results on just the Tykerb Xeloda, you may be one of them. Continue the battle in the meantime and hopefully get what you want. If Tykerb Xeloda doesn't do the trick alone then maybe that could be additional info to support another appeal. Remember biological agents usually work better with a cytoxic agent which is probably why they don't want to approve the Herceptin Tykerb only combo.

As I understand it, you can always go back to Herceptin and it will work as well as when you left it.

Just some thoughts, any other chemos you are willing to try with Herceptin instead? Perhaps reserving Tykerb for use in case of brain mets? (I have them and I highly unrecommend them. ) Hope you never do. I think even in the next few months data will begin emerging supporting more widespread use of Tykerb and you may have an easier go of the approval then.

Hopefully TDM-1, Super Herceptin is around corner for all of us!

I am on Tykerb Xeloda and Herceptin for brain and liver since June. It's been a tough combo for me with many side effects and dosing modifications. My modest dosing is helping the brain but the liver is still an issue. Seems the Xeloda is what is needed to shrink the liver lesions so I just upped the dose this week.

Don't let this frustration rob you of good Grandma time and there seems to be other options, maybe this door isn't opening for a reason? Like you, I always still want to know the damn reason!


I'll be hoping you get what treatment you really want and are most comfortable with.

Wishing you well...Darlene