Herceptin and itching?

nitewind · 07-06-2007, 06:24 PM

I have been getting weekly infusions of herceptin since Dec of '06. The last couple of weeks I've had this terrible itching. It started out just on my port area, the itching was just unbelievable! The doctor says now it's dermatitis and they have to give the port area a rest. Everytime they would prep the site before infusion, I thought I was on fire! Anyway, I've had some itching on my hands, to the point of the skin peeling off. Today I had to have my treatment in the vein on my hand. Tonite, the itching is on the tops of my feet and on my back. I've put benedryl cream on both areas and have also taken an oral benedryl. Just wondering if this is a sign of something worse, maybe I'll have to stop the herceptin. Anyone else had this type of reaction? All thoughts are welcome please.
Susan

Lolly · 07-06-2007, 08:31 PM

Gosh Susan, the first thing that comes to mind is an allergic reaction to something, hopefully not the Herceptin. Do you get IV Benedryl with the infusion? It may be that your body has sensitized to either the Herceptin or the dilutant being used, and you may require some additional meds to counteract the effect.
Hope someone more knowledgeable than me can give you a better idea.
If you notice ANY shortness of breath this weekend, don't wait go to ER asap.

<3 Lolly

Vanessa · 07-06-2007, 08:40 PM

Hi Lolly,

I started getting itchy on my face while I was being infused with Herceptin and I had been taking it for a year. My doctor gave me decadron as a pre-med for a while to stop the itching. Last week I asked her if I could try it without the decadron and I did okay. They just watch me real close to make sure I don't start itching again. Good luck.

pffida · 07-06-2007, 09:00 PM

After starting Taxol and Herceptin, I began having terrible itching in either my hands or feet. Each of the three treatments showed progressive itching. I finally made an appointment to see the oncologist before the fourth and final Taxol treatment (I am continuing on with the Herceptin). She said its an allergic reaction and can be very dangerous, causing trouble with breathing. They stopped the Taxol and now I'm just receiving Herceptin. I would definitely recommend an appointment with the oncologist. Neither the nurse nor the PA thought it was a problem, as I had been complaining about it each visit. Its the oncologist who has the experience and knowledge, so just don't let the nurse brush it off.

A hint for treatment -- I finally bought children's liquid benadryl because it acts much quicker than the benadryl pills. When I used the liquid, it stopped the itching in about 15 minutes, versus an hour for the pills.