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

Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-18-2007, 12:00 PM

Joan and all, When I was on Taxotere (a cousin of Taxol) I had a severe nosebleed from the moment I woke up every single day. It took half an hr and half a box of tissues to get all the bld out. Then I was good, except used Vaseline throughout the day and Ayr nasal something at night (a salve). Nosebleeds stopped when I stopped Taxotere. Been on Vit H since '98. Extreme fatigue, aided by my nut/onc -- nutritional oncologist guru/healer -- and his list of supplements for ENERGY, boosting immune sys etc. List in 6/30 thread TO "SUPPLEMENT" OR WAIT, for those interested. Happy to answer any questions you may have. I am always here for you. All of you. And I rest serenely knowing YOU are all always there for me. Love y'all...
Andi

09-18-2007, 12:00 PM	#259
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Nose bleeds et al... Joan and all, When I was on Taxotere (a cousin of Taxol) I had a severe nosebleed from the moment I woke up every single day. It took half an hr and half a box of tissues to get all the bld out. Then I was good, except used Vaseline throughout the day and Ayr nasal something at night (a salve). Nosebleeds stopped when I stopped Taxotere. Been on Vit H since '98. Extreme fatigue, aided by my nut/onc -- nutritional oncologist guru/healer -- and his list of supplements for ENERGY, boosting immune sys etc. List in 6/30 thread TO "SUPPLEMENT" OR WAIT, for those interested. Happy to answer any questions you may have. I am always here for you. All of you. And I rest serenely knowing YOU are all always there for me. Love y'all... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...