[Nurse4u2day]

Clint I was on taxol and herceptin every week for 12 weeks with only a running nose ( herceptin) and some mild neuropathy ( taxol).i am now only on Herceptin every 3 weeks (so dosage is higher) after my 3rd infusion I have experienced some fairly severe joint pain in both hands, knees , toes and now a little in my shoulder and hips. I also have some severe stiffness in my hands. It's difficult at times just to hold dishes or even make a fist. I am currently taking ibuprofen and 2 Percocet for the pain. From what my oncologist says this could get better or worse with each infusion. As she explains it the Herceptin basically drys up the lubricant in your joints so in order to replenish it ( lubricate joints a bit) you need to get up and move. Most of the severe pain is at night or early morning. When I move it does give some relief but not total.i am as of today 46 but feel like a 90 year old with arthritis at times. Doctor can put me on stronger pain pills but ummm sorry I still have to drive. I go in for another infusion this Friday, my planned conversation is if after this next tx the pain gets worse then maybe we can go back to herceptin once weekly at the lower dosage as I tolerated that very well. I plan to go back to work in December or January but there is no way I can do that if I have difficulty just holding a pen! I still have 6 1/2 months of this herceptin to go. As for the side effect of perjeta I never took it so no answers there. The good news is Oncologist says once I'm done with the Herceptin the joint pain and stiffness will resolve. This all sucks so bad! It seems once we get a handle on a certain tx or side effect we then move on to something else that has yet another issue. After 9-10 months of treatment and pain and in general just not feeling good this gets very taxing on the body and mind. I just keep telling myself this is saving my life and as bad as it gets I will eventually make it to the other side of post tx... Please don't be afraid to ask for pain meds when indicated and if one doesn't work then try something new. Personally I'm sick of pain medication but physically I need it.