hand cramps while on Herceptin

Julie2 · 07-13-2006, 02:16 PM

Last night I had severe moving pain(more like muscle cramps) in both of my hands. When I woke up the pain is gone but the had feels very weak. I am on Herceptin now. Anybody has similar experience?

thanks,
Julie

IRENE FROM TAMPA · 07-13-2006, 03:51 PM

Hi Julie

How long have you been on Herceptin?

I started on it in 1999 weekly and in around 2003 I started experiencing severe leg and hand cramps. My legs got them terribly. I kept bringing it up to my onc. but they had no one with similar synthoms.

When I was taken off of Herceptin in 2005 (I was starting on Abraxane and my onc did not want me on both since Abraxane had just come out) within about 3 months my cramps/spasms were gone.

I started back up on Herceptin this year and so far have had only a few in my hands (thank goodness) so we will see.

Good luck

07-14-2006, 11:28 AM

I ended Herceptin on June 21st and have noticed a little less muscle cramps/pains. Why is it the oncs think we're crazy? If Herceptin affects the heart musle, the largest in the body, why would it not affect our other muscles? Sorry about the frustration but sometimes things seem like common sense & yet docs. don't seem too concerned.

Mar

07-14-2006, 01:32 PM

I get cramps in my rib cage. I wondered if it was from the Herceptin. Especially since the cramps come in the week after my triple dose. I reported to my onc and he wrote it on the chart. But I noticed he exchanged glances with his nurse practicioner. Maybe patients are reporting muscle cramps. MJO

Barbara · 07-14-2006, 01:47 PM

Hi:

I get cramps in my feet, calves, hamstrings, abdomen and hands. I have never mentioned it to my oncologist. I did mention it to my internist and she had me stop my Liptor for a month as it can also cause cramps. Even off the Liptor, I get terrible cramps beginning about two days after my Q3wk Herceptin which are really bad for about five days and then become less frequent. I do believe it is the Herceptin now and not the Liptor.

Barbara

panicked911 · 07-14-2006, 04:43 PM

hands, feet, calfs back cramps- you name I get it - discussed with two oncs who say that herceptain is "benign" to most - well-neverhad this bedfore - apparently arimidex and lupron can do it also - have 5 more herceptrain treatments left - will wait until afterwards to see if any of this clears up...it is the soles of my feet that bother me the most.....

Susanne