Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!

skye · 05-02-2007, 07:44 AM

Hi, if you look at the official Herceptin side effects, a "flu-like" condition and or drippy nose is very common for the first week of Herceptin. I didn't know it at the time and thought I was getting a cold that just never developed, then I looked it up and went A-ha! It disappeared as the week went on but can recur at times from what I understand. Keep those Kleenex handy! - Skye

gin-tx · 05-16-2007, 06:24 PM

Dear Skye,

So glad you have done so well with Herceptin. I too have drippy nose, constantly. I sometimes forget about it. When I think of it it seems to start in again.

I too have some side effects but feel lucky I have things I can tolerate. No itchy feet, by end of day I am just exhusted though. I come home and try to sleep for 30 min. Some days I wait too late to lie down, get busy with phone calls, etc. I'll be glad when I'm done with treatment, am getting real sick of it since it's been a yr.

Keep in touch and let me know of your progress.

hugs,

ginkott1@aol.com

skye · 05-16-2007, 08:55 PM

Hi Gin,
Yes, the nose is still dripping. The only other symptom seems to be a general sluggishness but I still feel much better than I did on Taxol. Feet have stopped itching too. I think I can do this! And I did get my onc to switch my schedule to every three weeks instead of weekly, thank goodness.
Glad you are doing ok, too! - Skye

mabrooks · 06-06-2007, 04:35 PM

I just started Herceptin on May 22nd. I finished mammosite radiation in mid April. I will start Femara in a few weeks my tumor was ER+ and Proges.+. I was lucky enough to not have to have any chemo. Due to my Her2neu 3+ status my onc recommended Herceptin 1 every three weeks for a year. The only side effects I have had are a runny nose and I seem to bruise easily. No nausea, no achy muscles.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 06-06-2007, 05:15 PM

I have the feeling the Taxotere side effects I mentioned (in post #188) is being confused by some as side effects from Herceptin. A HORSE OF A WHOLE DIFFERENT COLOR, or however that old saying goes. Herceptin is a walk in the park.

PLEASE NOTE -- I posted today on WHY STAY ON HERCEPTIN -- and -- CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT. It seems impossible to find where these messages landed, even for me, intentionally looking for them. If you are interested, please look for them under SEARCH at the top of the page, or under my signature and find all postings. (I am still trying to figure out how to post a NEW THREAD. Dumbfounded on that one!)

ALSO PLEASE BE AWARE -- there is a Soul Sister who posts under the name Andi and her signature is simply Andi. That is NOT me. I am Andrea Barnett Budin (called Andi by Friends).

Andi, not me, has posted today and is in dire need of all our prayers. She has chosen to go off all treatment as the ca is everywhere and docs have nothing but bad news. I respect her wishes to live the time she has left in peace. That is a personal choice. Andi is a fighter, like me, and hopefully you. I have asked if it is okay to pray for a miracle to come to her. Andi can use all the prayers we have to offer. So please do what you can for her. She needs all our support.

Sending loving, healing energy to All my daring, darling Soul Sisters... ANDI BB

gin-tx · 06-06-2007, 05:51 PM

I have been on Herceptin and Aredia for almost 1 yr, have constant runny nose, muscle aches, but feel very fortunate I have only those problems. I have dealt with insomnia, which I had before I started treatment. I'm sure there are others but can't think of them at this time. My dr said I have 'chemo brain'. This is my second episode of BC, first 11 yrs ago, had radiation and lumpectomy, this time is more aggressive and also have a tumor on my spine that I had to have treated with 18 radiation treatments before they could start the Herceptin. I feel blessed for each day I have, still working part time, and am thankful to have a job with good benefits.

Keep me informed of your progress. We have to support each other to fight this battle.

ginkott1@aol.com

marion vardy · 06-13-2015, 04:50 PM

Hi i have 4 rounds of chemo and 18 radation treatments and had 4 rounds of herception was suppose to have 18 herception 1 every 3 weeks.It had to be stop because my heart function went down from 47% to 34%.After servely months still no change in heart function .So now its stop all togather.I had heart problems before i started chemo and herception ,Now i very nerves about maybe it was a bad choice to have herception at all.My heart function is causing me to be very tired and no energery at all Since my function is so low,
What do you think of me getting herception knowing i had a lot of heart issues before breast cancer,will it every go back to normal or am i left with low function for the rest of my life