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

[Nora B.]

Thanks so much for doing this, Lani! I am so happy to read these posts and find I am not alone and not a hypochondriac! Are you going to try to synthesize the data and publish it somewhere?

I am Stage IIIb, finished chemo in July of 2006, and finished my year of Herceptin in April 2007. Received my herceptin every 3 weeks. My side effects started while still on chemo and my onc attributed them to Taxol, but they continued after I was well over with Taxol and they continue to a lesser degree still, a month after I've finished the herceptin.
Major complaint has been joint pain, particularly shoulders and knees. Some nights if I sleep on my side I can barely lift my arm in the a.m. for the pain in my shoulder. Legs cramp/hurt when I get up in a.m., or after have been sitting for awhile. Walk around like an old lady some mornings. Also alot of rib pain (so much that I insisted on a scan, thinking it was mets) that sort of comes and goes. Also it has turned my pre-existing acid reflux into a nightmare (constant heartburn/burping no matter what I eat). I know my vision has gotten much worse since this whole thing started, but that might just be age (I'm 44). Menopause brought on by the chemo in Feb. 06, have had hot flashes that I thought might be due to the herceptin. Have been very fuzzy-headed, too - attributed that to chemo brain. Slow growing hair and nails. Cracking skin on my finger tips. Mouth sores and bad taste in my mouth. Yeah, I do sound like a hypochondriac, don't I?! Really, the worst side effect for me has been the joint aches and pains. I know it's a small price to pay for this wonder drug!

Nora

[Lani]

Have you tried asking to have your oncologic nurse mix up your herceptin with normal saline instead of with the benzyl alcohol-containing vial that comes with it? Several on this board report less joint pains when that is done.

As I don't know your weight, and therefore not how many vials you use, this is easy if you use only one vial's worth. Otherwise, some have asked to have one vial mixed up with Normal Saline and the other with the normal diluent
(this is because the rest of the vial must be used by someone else due to the high price of herceptin, and if the rest of the vial is not used immediately some bacteria could grow in it because the purpose of the benzyl alcohol is to be a preservative and antibacterial I believe.

Not yet sure who I might pass along the info from this thread to...

[Nathan]

Lani,
I've learned so much from this site and I've only found it today!! Thanks for posing the question. I currently work for Genentech and although Herceptin can be a life saving drug for many, there are a few side effects to it. My wife is Stage IV with mets to her liver, lymph nodes in her neck and chest and her bones and has been on Herceptin for 3 months now.
Her side effects are nausea and vomiting, exhaustion, dry mouth and slurring of speech from time to time. She also shakes sometimes which I think might be seizures. I don't know if this is from the chemo, she's on two currently, or from the Herceptin. What I have witnessed personally, is the fact that this drug has saved many lives and that although the side effects of the drug can be bothersome, if given the choice, I'd rather be alive than dead.

[kat in the delta]

I also forgot to mention that I have brown spots that go up my ankles like socks... appearing since being on Herceptin, and that my ankle swell even tho' I am thin and taking a fluid pill.
My Dermo. said it was from poor circulation..and the brown spots were iron deposits..anyone want to comment on this..?? please rsvp Kat in the Delta

[tdonnelly]

I too have brown spots on ankles, left wrist (previous vein damage done at time of Muga Scan) and also on thyroid surgical scar all since starting Herceptin. The one on wrist is painful at times. Ankles are also swollen. What does your dr. say to do re brown spots?
Tamara
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 11/06

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Tamara,

When I was on Taxotere (a cousin of Taxol) I had what I call deep muscle pain in my arms and legs. And I am talking about pain! Constant. I could not find a comfortable place for myself. In bed, propping pillows everywhere. In my comfy chair/ottoman. I could barely walk. Shuffled. Kept catching my toes and tripping. Held on to walls or any thing to keep steady. Literally crawled up stairs to my bedroom on all fours. I could not stand for more than 10 minutes. I was forever looking for a chair. It was just necessary. I was that shaky and wobbly. When I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I was horrified! I too looked like a little old lady.

IT WAS FROM THE TAXOTERE -- and the after effects lingered for quite some time. Eventually, after many mnths when it passed, I would occasionally get it back. When I mentioned to my onc, I know this sounds crazy (a yr and two after that chemo) but I still get that same deep muscle pain in my arms and legs, he told me it was not crazy and other patients of his had reported the same thing. I derived comfort it that.

I took pain killers (Roxicet) when on Taxotere as my defense. My onc repeatedly told me I would get no medals for bravery by suffering. MJ kept telling me -- take the pain killers at the first sign of a problem. Don't wait. It takes an hr to kick in. Don't hesitate. His *permission* helped me greatly. I take Omega 3 EPA 800 & DHA 400 twice a day and I take Flexoral at night -- all I believe help this. Oh, also Ativan! It gives major anxiety relief. Helps me be ME. I have learned (the hard way) that emotional and psychological stress expresses itself physically! My back used to be in pain 23/7. Some orthopedists wanted to operate. Degenerating disk disease, narrowing of the spine, L4...L5... But another doc -- WHO CHANGED MY LIFE -- and was a physiatrist (a real doc dealing w/the entire body and mind) helped me see the connection between being stressed out and my pain and after yrs of agony, I became pain free.

Hate to push pills, but they do fulfill a purpose and sometimes we need help. It's okay to need help. Anti-depressants chemically alter our anxiety-ridden minds and bring us relief. They give us back our lives. I was on Zoloft after metast and am now on Effexor. I feel joyful and serene, functioning and more like the true me!

I have been on a supplement regiment since '98, during chemo and now as I take Herceptin ev 3 wks. Herceptin does leave me feeling very fatigued w/somewhat flagging red bld cell counts (which are extremely low for ME and leave me feeling zonked). My cancer center isn't giving Aranesp to boost these to *non chemo* patients. Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody. I CALL IT DISCRIMINATION. BASED ON $$$$$. The injection is billed as $8,000 and Medicare and many insur co's aren't paying. (But that's a whole other discussion.)

Some of the supplements are for ENERGY which is a big issue to be grappled with. I have listed my LIST in a 6/30 thread TO "SUPPLEMENT" OR WAIT. I recall trying to list dosage and the reason for each. If you have more questions, contact me, please.

Tamara, honey, you need to whip yourself into shape as best you can. These are all the tools I used to get myself together and they have had miraculous results. I wish the same for you. Do not despair. Bc is a frightening place to be and chemo, as terrible as it can be, is the best weapon we have to annihilate those cancer cells. So, try to see this horrid phase as just that -- a part of a process -- taking you to wellness! Mentally try to troll throughout the day to find those fear-riddled thoughts, experience them, vent them, talk them out, post, post, post -- we don't mind the whining, it's THERAPEUTIC. We understand. And as soon as you possibly can, in a hr or so -- replace those awful thoughts and images with thoughts of you being victorious. Seeing yourself far into the future in vivid detail. Crossing the finish line with your arms raised in triumph. Much to do, but so very worth it...

Sending you big hugs and much loving, healing energy. I feel your pain. I have lived it. And I have survived. So will you, Tamara. So will you.
Andi

[BonnieR]

Andi, lots of good suggestions there. Thanks. You were supporting someone else but I needed to hear it too! lol. Especially the part about "no medals for bravery" by trying to slug through without benefit of the meds that are offered to ease the bad times and/or pain...
Just this morning I was telling my husband that I need to remember to take an Ativan prior to chemo next week. Last time I did not (wanted to be "clear" when seeing the onc) and it was stressful when they had trouble finding a vein. And just stressful in general.....

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Bonnie, Glad you could reap some benefit from my experience. Before bc I thought I would live to be 100 and never take more than an aspirin. I would look at all the pills older people were taking and wonder what that was all about. When I was a newbie, I was all about thinking that I'd do the chemo and soldier through. Bite the bullet.

Then came the nausea! And the pain. And the frequent moments of being overwhelmed. I was facing my own mortality and I thought I could do it on my own. I found talking to those who've been there (and w/a stellar attitude) great to talk my feelings through with. And I found writing to be cathartic. Immensely so. My daughters were helpful, as they were full of love and their own fear and much support, which touched me deeply. They would relate in a general way when facing a major adversity. One extremely logical and compassionate. The other is definitely an old Soul with this spiritual way of perceiving things and a unique, gentle wisdom that stirs people. My husband was great but obviously more scared than I was. I did everything that needing doing that I was too weak to tackle and took me to every doc and test and tx -- standing stalwartly by my side. But his face! I kept asking him, Do you know something I don't know? We'd made a pact that there would be totally open honest communication between us, as had been the case all our *normal* lives together. He is the Duke of Gloom and so cynical and pessimistic, the Yin to my Yang, as I cannot stop being hopeful. It comes from my core.

But I embraced Zofran (the big guns) for the nausea, and Phenergan which worked best for me when I was just generally queasy. Night and day. Sooo much better w/these aids. Then came the sleepless nights. Then I was reading about studies that say those who work the night shift have (I keep forgetting -- is elevated or diminished) T cell counts, indicating a compromised immune system. People who do not sleep at night heal more slowly. So I set about to ask for sleeping aids (Ambien, whatever) and make it MY DUTY to get a good night's sleep every night. Lord knows I feel beyond lousy and non-functioning the day after I've been strolling through the house till 3:, 4: or 5: AM. Who wouldn't?

And I am eternally grateful for my Dr. MJ, or just plain MJ, as he calls himself when he calls. This is MJ. I just love that man! He is brilliant, kind, thoughtful, caring, cutting edge aggressive yet totally compassionate. He hears every word you say, and intimate, and responds immediately. He returns calls the same day, no matter what. He travels the country, and the world, attending, or giving, lectures and specializes in bc and lung. He can remember every detail of my med history to this day without looking at my chart (as far back as '95) and he is busy w/a horde of other patients. He has called me from airports to just check in and see how I'm doing! And when I failed to call back (the # I wrote down led me to some Chinese restaurant) -- he called the next day! You didn't call me back. I explained. He laughed. I had the right #; it was some fluke. But, the point is, he followed up. So when MJ says, You know they give medals out for bravery in this, I heard him. And I have found that advice to be irreplaceable.

I, like many, felt I'd become addicted or something. On the contrary, I take what I need and need what I take and I am functioning without pain or despair. I am the true me and for a while there I couldn't be, I was so inundated with feelings of I don't think I can do this and grave uncertainty, believing I was walking hand in hand w/death. With med help, I have the strength to work through those feelings (talking and writing) and then discarding them. Then, when I am free to connect with my Spirit, this magical power infuses me with what I call pure, unconditional Universal Love. Life becomes more beautiful than ever before and ATTAINABLE, within my reach. I can feel the sacredness of each day and I rejoice over each. I am filled w/joy and the serenity comes with the faith in my heart that I am empowered to help heal my body, command my body to do a better job. And all of us have this power! We have only to claim. It was given to us a our birthright, as we were born into this world. And we are meant to evolve to come to understand and utilize what scientists say is the UNUSED 95% OF OUR BRAINS. Surely we were meant to grow and become all we can.

Forgive my usual rambling. I just always seem to have to much more I want to say. Wanting to empower every one of us! With much loving energy...
Andi

[tdonnelly]

Andi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me understand what I am going through. What an inspiration you are! I'm posting your comments on my refrigerator as my daily reminder to Live Strong. I took your advise and called the onc. for a refill on my pain meds. I too am afraid of becoming too reliant on them, but know for now they are necessary to help me work and do all that I need to do daily. I see him Monday and hope to have a bone scan soon and figure out what's the best way to handle this neuropathy. I have never been one for vitamins/supplements but now realize their importance. I met a new coworker and soon discovered she had bc in 1992, she only had surgery, no chemo., no radiation while at Micheal Reese hospital and has been cancer free ever since. I am overwhelmed by how much is truly involved with bc. The surgery, chemo, radiation, meds and numerous side effects. This disease just goes on and on, which is what makes it so scary for me. Especially taking Herceptin when no one really can tells us about long term effects and how it can effect our heart/lungs. Thanks again for your kind words. Have a great day.
Tamara

[MagsB]

Hi All,

I have been on this site before, but for some reason, I missed this thread - which was exactly the thread I was looking for!


I was diagnosed in Sept 2005, HER2+, ER/PR+, Stage II, age 27. I've had a mastectomy, reconstruction, AC & Taxotere chemo, am a year into Tamoxifen and recently started Zoladex injections to stop my ovaries. I started Herceptin in Oct 2006 and should have been on it for a year. However, I had my last infusion on the 29th May, as I was my Onc thought that quality of life issues prevailed over the benefits of completing the full year of Herceptin.


I've had a number of side effects that I thought I was imagining! I had complications with my reconstruction and it took a full year after my surgery for the wound to heal. 2 weeks later I started Heceptin and the wound opened up again... Now that it's been 5-6 weeks since I had my last infusion, I think the wound is starting to heal again. I have also had severe fatigue; severe cracking of the skin in my hands (I've have contact dermatitis for years - but it's never been this bad - so much so that I found it difficult gripping the steering wheel or holding a pen); generally my skin healing from minor cuts is very poor; I have a lot of back and shoulder pain; I have the runny/crusty nose; I get a lot of blood blisters and ulcers inside my cheeks and lips; within 6 months, my eyes changed prescription and now need glasses to drive and watch TV - I never wore glasses before; I‘ve had 6 months of acid reflux, which as almost gone now that I have finished Herceptin. I also get leg cramps, hot flushes, vaginal discharge, have difficulty sleeping and my memory is as bad as it was during the chemo, but I think these last effects are Tamoxifen/Zoladex side effects?

When you read back though all these effects - individually they are all minor, but all together, it’s been a nightmare. As Herceptin is so new to be used in early stage BC treatment, the Onc was no help in preparing for these issues. You know chemo is going to be awful, so you are prepared for it... However, with Herceptin, I thought I should be fine and went back to work part-time, which has been really hard. I'm glad that I was able to get Herceptin, but equally, I am glad that I have finished. I just hope that the effects start to decrease soon - I seem to be keeping the plaster companies in business with the amount of plasters that I go through each week for my cracked hands!!

The other thing I have found difficult throughout my Herceptin experience is the fact that no-one seemed to listen to me... You would think that with such a new drug, the doctors would listen more carefully to us, even though, intellectually, they believe that we should not be experiencing these effects. It took 9 months to get my Onc to listen to me…

Anyway, I'm off the Herceptin, so hopefully my quality of life will improve...?

Thanks for reading my rant!
MagsB

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I AM ON HERCEPTIN SINCE '98. I get ev 6 mnth ECHO cardiograms. You must be over 50 (Ejection Fraction). I take many supplements to help w/the memory thing and boost the imm sys. I fnd 8 mnths of Taxotere stayed w/me for yrs. I wld say to my onc, I know it sounds crazy, but I still have dp muscle pain in my legs and arms just like when I was on Taxo. Not crazy, he said, other patients have reported the same thing, w/lingering side effects. The end of chemo is the end. The gd news being, I pray, the lingering eff on the bad cells remains.

My onc has put me on PERFUSIA (WHICH IS ARGENINE 380 -- ONLY 1 PILL A DAY, to keep my EF up). You can buy it cheaper, but he prefers the quality of that particular brand. My admittedly long supplement list and to which I attribute much of my "success" -- is in VITAMIN D thread, I think. Otherwise check my posts in general -- for Spiritual upliftment and more.

Docs should listen to you, despite what you'e ON! No side effects are minor or worthy of being ignored!

I had tram flap reconst w/mastec and never had a problem -- Taxotere and Herceptin, Shingles and all the nastiest of side effects aside (from the Taxo and Shingles NOT from the Herceptin). I do have a lowering of my red bld count (HGB) and when it gets 11ish they give me Aranesp. (Used to be under 12, but new rules.) That $7000 injection makes me perky again and keeps me up for mnths. Again, read my supplement list mentioned above for some real ENERGY BOOSTERS + improved brain function from my onc/supllement expert.

MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE. Head to toe, including hair, 2X a day, every day! Makes a world of difference. Vasoline, or Ayr oitment for nose dryness. I use CUREL on feet, body. I use Clinique Deep Comfort for hands at least twice a day! Occasionally Sudafed for drippy nose, but generally only when eating and a tissue is needed. My immune sys and energy have improved w/the onc's suggestions --- Phyto Formula, NADH (see list under other post). Could be in 11.3 HGB and shaky thread! Poor healing for me too. No back or shoulder pain. That could be stress. I do take Effexor (anti-depressant). Used to take Zoloft. This helps tremendously. Though never was a pill popper, bc changed that. My doc tells me YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER. You don't get extra points for suffering. So I decided to love myself and be extra good to myself.

I take 1 Ativan a day, at night (mood elevator, relaxes the 100 mph brain). I deserve a good night's sleep at the very least. Aids in healing (studies show a good night's sleep is essential to good health) AND in functioning the next day! Otherwise I'm useless and miserable. Use sleeping pill as well. Sounds like a lot of pills, and I wish I didn't need them, but w/them my QOL is vastly improved. So seems like a no brainer to me. YOU MUST TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU, without overdosing, of course, under the guidance of a medical professional.

Leg cramps have gone. Used to have to jump up and press on the ball of my foot for a few seconds and it went away. Hurts a lot, but easily omitted. I do take a muscle relaxant (Flexerol) nightly as well. Maybe that's why that's vanished. No more reflux, but did take Prilosec and it helped that issue. No bld blisters in mouth (except from Taxotere). My eyes do get worse but I'm a lot older, and others on chemo have reported this. I had excellent eyesight until around 42. Then needed glasses, like most that age. Dx at 50 -- 12 yrs ago. See my signature for my med hist.

Yes, Tamoxifen can and does have many side effects. Those who tk it for 5 yrs and stopped only then noticed how much better they felt. Address ea side effect one at a time and try, w/a gd, caring onc to remedy ea one! You owe that to yourself! You've been through hell and back and you deserve a heap of respect for not crumbling ino bitternss!

Herceptin is not a chemo, and doesn't get enough respect, but I tell my docs that -- I'M IN UNCHARTED WATERS HERE. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT COMES FROM WHAT WITH THIS MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY, SO DON'T DISCOUNT ANY THING I REPORT. I'm a guinea pig, writing the books that will come out on this. HELP ME. IF YOU DON'T HELP ME, WHO WILL.

I did see Pegram (and Slamon) on a trip out to Calif. They're the developers of the drug and Slamon discovered the misbehaving, defective gene that is responsible for 20% of bc. The SMART BOMB they developed targets only that messed up gene, leaving other cells alone, letting us keep our hair, BUT... Potential heart problems -- so ECHO every 3 mnths, then 4 mnths, then 6 mnths, NOW I've graduated to annually. Due in Aug. Herceptin is mostly a cake walk. A highly tolerable chemo/monoclonal antibody. When my doc gets snippy and says You're not on chemo, I say, I know -- I'm on a monoclonal antibody. Where exactly is the monoclonal antibody room? I keep winding up in the chemo room with all the other chemo patients. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT, DOC.

The energy thing is the major prob for me w/Herceptin and now that's been greaty improved w/ the supplements!

What are "plasters"???????????????

If your onc won't listen to you, I'm sorry to say -- you need to find another, more compassionate doc! You owe that to yourself, with or without Herceptin, just in general. Anything less is just inexcusable behavior. Where's their humanity for God sake????

Glad you felt free to rant. Any time. We're all here for one another.

Sending loving, healing, happy energy your way... ANDI

I hot flash since I'm 42 and hate it. Take a # of things to relieve it. Ea contributes a tad. If I stop any one, they get worse. Went to endrocrinologist finally who said could be indication of high bld sgr, and so it proved to be so. Now on med for that, caught before becoming diabetic, but clinically high -- in normal range now w/med. Memory way better w/supplements recommended.

[Heart Sutra]

I have also had side effects from Herceptin. When I discussed them with my onc. he said no it's from the Taxol. My last Taxol treatment was April 17th and I am still experiencing these side effects:

1. Joint Pain!!! (Hips, Thumbs, Feet heels only, Shoulders)
2. Fatigue
3. Eye site changed (needed new prescription)
4. Depression
5. Weight Gain
6. Hot Flashes (Bad at times, maybe 20 or 30 a day)
7. Chemo Brain

Not complaining. I'm glad we have this treatment available. Just wished my doc didn't look at me like I have ten heads when I tell him about it.

[bailey]

Ladies - I'm sorry to hear about your Herceptin side effects. I started on Herceptin in 2003 so it's not a new drug but I am now on Tykerb as they found spots on my lungs but I'm doing fine. With Herceptin you do get muscle and joint pain but for me it was not too bad and I attribute that to my exercise routine. I am in the gym 5-6 days/week and do 3-4 spin classes/week. I don't always feel I want to go and work out but I know it helps with the joints and overall health. I also drink tons of water, eat alot of protein and good healthy carbs. No butter or alot of fats and sugar although I do splurge and enjoy wine. Not sure about the spots around the ankles but if it's circulation you need to get out and walk 3 miles/day or do something active for at least 45 mins/day.
As for the memory loss, that also comes with menopause if you are in it but you need to keep your mind active so I"m not sure what you do for that - read, crossword puzzles, whatever but it does get better.
Kat - Your Dr. HAS TO GIVE YOU that info. He has no right to keep it from you and I would push very hard for that into or just go to wherever you had it done and request a copy from them but it is your right and your Dr. needs to be reminded of that.
If your skin is dry go and buy some vaseline petroleum jelly and after your shower or bath put it all over your feet and then put socks on - do it every day, do the same for your hands at night and put cotton gloves on - again every night. Get pedicures every 4 weeks. Use creams instead of lotions as creams are higher in moisturizing.
I know what you are feeling - all of you. I was first diagnosed in 2002 with BC, 2003 spread to lung and liver and okay till this March and now on Tykerb and Xeloda which are pills and doing great! There will always be side effects with everything to some degree but you can do it.
Another great thing to take for dryness, 4000 mgs. of good quality fish oil pills with EPA and DHA - get the 1000 mg. each tablet and spread it out throughout the day - take 4/day. It's amazing for your skin and just overall health. I live in Arizona and have been through alot of treatment and my skin is as soft and smooth and moisturized as can be - I am 54 and always get comments on my skin so if I can have it living here in AZ you can too.
I hope this helps you all - keep me posted and send more questions and hopefully I can help again.
Sending positive energy and prayers to you all
Barb

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

EPA & DHA NEED TO BE BALANCED. That's what my onc/supplement expert says. He also pushes Neuromins. + I take E 400 X 3 -- good for skin, heart flashes, ummune sys, inhibits metastases, decreases tumor burden. This amnt of E does not interfere w/my cholesterol #s remaining gd. That's important. So cardiol says fine.

ENDING CHEMO DOESN'T MEAN THE SIDE EFFECTS END! Docs say within 3 mnths tops you should be gd as new. My exper -- yrs later after shocks. May therefore be a bit confusing what's coming from what. But, please keep that in mind. My typing in above post may not have made that clear.

Yes, Vasoline/socks helped heals. Clinique helps hands. Curel body. Then the face, of course, whatever works for you, be it baby oil, or Sheisido or whatever works for you. Day and night.

[kat in the delta]

Bailey,
It's not that my Onc. didn't give me my last 2 or so scores.. HE just REfused to have the HEART SCANS even DONE on me !! -He never ORDERED THEM !!!--just wanted me to get the HERCEPTIN....even when I asked him over & over..
Now, I have poor circulation and swelling ankles and these horrible brown spots/patches running up both ankles !! IF I get a scratch.. I feel like I am on FIRE on my legs.....
ANYONE ELSE WITH THE BROWN SPOTS or patches on legs....?????
Did any of you have a Muga or Heart scan when finishing Herceptin ??

I use aveeno and also Aqua4 creams --esp. the legs..

Kat in the Delta

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Honey, I think you may need t get advice from a CARDIOLOGIST. Swollen ankles AND you're on diuretics, poor circulation -- these need to be addressed! Your onc should have recommended you follow up w/these symptoms! I don't know about the brown spots, but -- how are your red blood cell counts?????????? (In *normal* range?) Get a copy of your last two blood tests.

Do they do an every 3 mnth comprehensive blood work up as follow up? ANYTHING not within NORMAL range needs to be discussed further. Please do not let swollen ankles slide. It could be a sign of a problem.

When was your last MUGA/ECHO? The cardiologist may want to do another, along with an EKG. You must be proactive and take good care of yourself. If you have an onc who is oblivious to these important matters, you need to move on. These symptoms are very concerning, not to be negated in the least. Call today for copies of all your reports. Fax a signed piece of paper, if need be, to free your records, which you are entitled to legally.

And make an appointment with a well-regarded, highly recommended CARDIOLOGIST. Please, Kat.

Sending loving, caring energy your way... ANDI

[kat in the delta]

Thanks andi,
Will call for all records/go there now....you are right..kat

[harrie]

Bonnie, I have been on herceptin only for 2 months now and it is a breeze. I am really good and pretty much back to normal from chemo. I, like you, was worried about the side effects from chemo (oops...I mean HERCEPTIN) alone after reading about all the problems other people had encountered. So I started a thread a while ago asking for those who experience little to no side effects at all from herceptin alone and there were quite a few who responded.
So far, knock on wood, I have also experienced little to no side effects from herceptin.
Good luck.
Maryanne

[BonnieR]

I appreciate your message. Very encouraging. IF I take Herceptin (the jury is still out!) it will be my only IV drug. No chemo at all. Only Femara.

[Gerri]

Bonnie,

Herceptin was a walk in the park compared to chemo. Since you are not going through chemo I can only tell you that the side effects are annoying more than anything. You should go ahead and read the posts to see what you may experience. I finished my year of Herceptin in March and slowly but surely the side effects I experienced are subsiding.

Good luck! Believe it or not, the time will fly by!