| Herceptin / Tykerb Share your experiences or ask questions about Herceptin or Tykerb |
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08-07-2011, 03:13 PM
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#561
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 10
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Can't say that I have bad side effects, four more months to go, and my heart test has remained good. Mine are the usual milder ones. But I do have a sort of depression that comes with it, no matter how happy I feel psychologically (or maybe I mean cognitively). Sometimes it passes quickly with a spontaneous burst of tears. Other times it lingers. I also wonder lately about a feeling of walking/falling (not quite vertigo, not quite dizziness, but something). I thought slight neuropathy from chemo was resolving itself, but perhaps not quite yet.
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About Me
surviving stage 2b diagnosed at annual mammogram 2010, mastectomy, TCH, radiation, Herceptin, follow-up tests clear as of 2012, age 56, college teacher, outdoorsy and active, health conscious
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08-08-2011, 07:46 AM
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#562
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
Posts: 260
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
I finished Taxol at the end of July and I am now on weekly treatments of Herceptin. I am glad to be feeling myself again but have noticed some side effects. I am having joint pains in my hands at night. It hurts from my knuckles to the top of my fingertips. Has anyone had this?
I also have leg/joint pains when I stand up - I feel like a 90 year old woman sometimes! It doesn't last long and I am able to workout on my treadmill everyday but it has been a little bit of a pain. I am also experiencing weight gain around my abdominal area. Real happy about this one!!
Other than that, I have nothing else to complain about. I'm still on Tykerb and the diarrhea has tapered off. Hair is slow growing but all is coming back on my eyebrows/eyelashes too. Awaiting lumpectomy surgery on August 31st so will be happy to go to every 3 weeks of Herceptin rather than weekly.
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11/17/10 - Diagnosed with 4.5cm tumor in right breast, IDC, Stage 2, Nuclear grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER2+
12/13/10 - Lymph node biopsy - negative
12/28/10 - Started neo-adjuvant treatment along with clinical trial with 4 rounds of AC chemo every 3 weeks
3/15/11 - Began weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions along with 750mg of Tykerb taken by mouth daily
6/28/11 - Finished last cycle of Taxol
7/27/11 - Breast MRI shows tumor has dissolved, remarkable reaction to chemo
8/31/11 - Lumpectomy, Sentinel Node biopsy. Node negative, clear margins, 7mm of cancer left over from chemo.
10/05/11 - Started radiation, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.
11/8/11 - Finished radiation
3/21/12 - Last Herceptin!
3/26/12 - Port removed!
Tamoxifen for 5 years
8/4/15 - Hysterectomy & bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Due to large fibroids. No cancer!
8/8/15 - Started Arimidex
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08-11-2011, 10:10 AM
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#563
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
I have been on Herceptin for 4+ years and had Herceptin with Gemzar in the year prior to that. I have Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks. My symptoms: VERY fragile nails, thinning/less tuxture to hair, dry eyes with abnormal dripping, anxiety/crankiness day after, 24-hour water retention. Prior to Hercptin (I have had 4 breast cancer recurrences since 1997 and am hormone- & Her2Nu+), I have have CMF, Taxotere, Adriamycin, Herceptin with Gemzar and now Herceptin alone. I am stage IV BC and 69 years old.
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08-23-2011, 03:56 AM
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#564
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 10
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Back again, after my perky posting above.
I wonder if blood oxygen levels have been affected; that number has been down for a month, and I have been trying to figure out how to make it go back up again (exercise, diet, etc.). I will have another echocardiogram soon; others have showed stability through treatment.
I would like to know more about how blood oxygen works (I sort of do in a very general way) if some of you have dealt with that.
I am also dealing with lymphedema (not a side effect of Herceptin) and sorting out some effects of that from general side effects of treatment.
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About Me
surviving stage 2b diagnosed at annual mammogram 2010, mastectomy, TCH, radiation, Herceptin, follow-up tests clear as of 2012, age 56, college teacher, outdoorsy and active, health conscious
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09-13-2011, 05:14 PM
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#565
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 53
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
I had my last bag of herceptin July 5, 2011, after a year of treatment. The only drug I take is a generic brand of femara. My bloodwork throughout my ordeal from June 2010 -July 2011 has been excellent. My hair has grown back thick and curly so far. My nails on my hands remain thin, brittle and split easily which is completely opposite of how they were before. My only discomfort is sometimes when I get up, my butt feels like I've been sitting on metal bleachers for hours but it quickly goes away. Today was my first visit after getting off treatments and my bloodwork was again excellent. I have lost 20 pounds since June due to making sure I eat around 1200 calories a day. Basically, I have been blessed. May God bless you all, as He has done for me...
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Diag 4/1/10
rt breast 2.4 cm grade III infiltrating ductal w/pos margins
sentinel nodes rt benign
tumor pT2, pNO, pMX
PQRI: 3260
began adria/cytoxan June 9 x 3wks x 4 then taxotere/herceptin 3wks x 4
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10-05-2011, 02:31 AM
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#566
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
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Re: My symptoms with Herceptin
I had my first doze of Herceptin last week along with chemo drugs; today (one week later) I am experiencing heart palpitation. Is this a normal side effect and will it go away in a couple of days? I appreciate your comments.
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10-05-2011, 07:10 AM
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#567
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Alieh,
It's probably nothing, but I'd definitely call the doctor. You only have one heart...better safe than sorry. Right?
Keep us posted.
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-05-2011, 04:53 PM
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#568
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Guest
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Denise,
Thank you for responding. I called the doctor's office and they told me this was a common side effect and it should go away in a couple of days. You are right, we only have one heart; I am beginning to think whether I should stop the treatment all together. What is the purpose of staying alive with a damaged heart.
Alieh
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10-06-2011, 01:54 AM
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#569
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 473
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Hi all, I've been on Herceptin for nearly four years now, and find it very tolerable. I do have to use eye drops when I get up in the morning as my eyes are dry, and inside my nose gets a bit irritated, but this can be alleviated with vaseline. I do have brittle nails that sometimes split. All in all, not too bad!
Cheers Marie
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dx Dec 2000 dcis 2.5cm clear sentinel node, ER/PR- Her-2+
lumpectomy, 6 cycles AC, 6 weeks rads
October 2007 three x 2.5cm lung mets. 8 months Taxol, started Herceptin and continue. Significant reduction in lung mets.
June 2011 3cm x 4cm liver tumour. Started Abraxane and continue with Herceptin.
November 2011. Finished with Abraxane, continue with just Herceptin. Liver tumour now reduced to 15mm x 12mm. Lung tumour now 10mm x 0.5mm
February 2012. Scans show everything stable, and brain scan clear.
July 2012. PET/CT scans show I'm in remission - no active cancer!
]Dec CT brain cllear, lungs stable, liver tumour has increased to 20mm. PET scans showed active liver met and active lung thinglet, and possible bone met.
Jan 2013 recommence Abraxane, continue with Herceptin.
June 2013 finish Cycle 6 Abraxane, continue with Herceptin. 30% reduction in liver tumour, everything stable.
December 2013. CA15-3 on rise.
February 2014. PET and CT scans show single liver tumour has increased to 35mm. No other activity.
March 2014. Planned for SBRT for liver met, but couldn't have treatment as tumour too close to bowel. Continue Herceptin.
April 2014. Surgeon advises that I am a good candidate for liver resection, so will have operation early May (after camping holiday). Tumour now 44mm x 29mm.
May 7, 2014. Two liver tumours surgically removed. Third of liver removed, and gall bladder. Am I NED?May 2014. Pathology of tumour shows it's now ER+ (95% staining).
June 2014. CA15-3 has decreased to 18 from a pre-surgery reading of 59!
June 2014. Started Femara, continue with Herceptin.
July 2014. Stop Femara due to severe Osteoporosis. Commence Tamoxifen, continue Herceptin. Waiting to hear if I can have Aclasta infusion.
August 2014. CA15-3 has decreased further to 12 - YAY!
October 2014. Aclasta infusion for Osteoporosis. November 2014, CA15-3 decreased to 11. Scans of liver all clear, something new showing up on lung, but just watching at the moment.
November 2015. Started SBRT on solitary lung met.
November 2015. Bone density scan showed very good improvement so back on Femara - yay!
December 2016. 6 treatments of SBRT radiation on lung. Seems to have had some effect.
June 2016. CA15-3 still stable and low at 9.
June 2016. Started subcutaneous Herceptin replacing infusion.
Jan 2017. LVEF dropped to 46%. Stopped Herceptin.
Feb 2017. Started ACE Inhibitor and BETA Blocker. Still off Herceptin.
Aug 2017. Two new mets - Portacaval lymph node and mediastinal lymph node.
Aug 2017. Blood tests show extremely elevated liver enzyme levels. Many tests to investigate.
Sept 2017. Portacaval lymph node blocking liver bile duct causing liver enzyme and Bilirubin problems.
Oct 2017. 8cm stent inserted into liver bile duct. Procedure caused pancreatitis, and hospitalised for 3 days. Liver enzymes improving rapidly.
Nov 2017. Commenced 4 weeks of radiation on Portacaval lymph node. 5 week break before chemo.
Jan 2018. CT scan. 11 new small liver mets, and new superclavical lymph node med.
Jan 2018. Start Kadcyla. CA15-3 426.
Apr 2018. First scans since starting Kadcyla. All tumours reducing. CA15-3 dropped to 30 from 426.
Dec 2019. Still on Kadcyla, but two small brain mets have been treated in the past month with SRS. CA15-3 stable for 12 months at 11.
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10-06-2011, 06:32 AM
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#570
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Alieh,
Are you being monitored by echocardiagram, or MUGA scan, every three months or so? If not, ask about that, I think it's "standard of care" right now...so your insurance company should cover it.
Then, you'd know about any heart issues before they were irreversible. Peace of mind is important!
Stay strong!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-08-2011, 02:51 AM
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#571
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 432
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
This thread contains alot on the side efects of herceptin.What about the side effects of Tykerb/Xeloda combination.During the week she is on xeloda (with tykerb) she is more tired and less appetite and the colour of her palms turn dark.She occasionally gets preesure or pain in the lower abdominal region she says (THE PAIN AS SHE WAS HAVING DURING HER aamPERIODS) I am wondering whether this is a common side effect of Tykerb
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PBK
huband of Hema
Metstatic Breast Cancer Stage 4
Left breast cauliflower 25x20cm
ossousmetstatis in vertbrae secondaries L4=L5secondary
nodules in both liver lobes secondary
Diagnosed 10th March 2010
ER/PR-ve
Her 2 neu +++
Taxotrne Zylotec started 16th March
Herceptin added 5th April.9th Herceptin over on 20th Sep '10.Started on Tykerb and Xeloda on 22nd Oct2010TYKERB 4 TAB A DAY XELODA 4 TAB A DAY ONE WEEK ON ONE WEEK OFFZoletrust infusion every 4 months.Lesion in Brain 3D CRT Radiation started on 1st Feb'12 for 20 days ,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Devloped a small lump in breast.Xeloda stopped from 11th April '12.On Taxol.After 3 cycles of Taxol Taxol stopped.Back to Xeloda regime from 3rd July
Herceptin started again on 27th Dec 2012.Xeloda stopped Navelbin added on 7th February 2013.Now on Tykerb Herceptin and Navelbin
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10-08-2011, 01:07 PM
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#572
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Didn't have those side effects with tykerb, but I do now with xeloda. Maybe it's the xeloda. The tiredness and digestive issues sent start until after a couple of months for me
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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10-12-2011, 07:09 PM
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#573
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 34
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
This reply is for those few who are having Herceptin without any chemotherapy - at all.
I am 3/4 through my Herceptin infusions. At this point , the only side effect that I see is that my fingernails split , peel , break and are now down to "the nubbin". I have had two infections related to this. Compared to any other side effects - this is nothing ; especially when you consider that Herceptin is saving my life!
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10-21-2011, 10:42 PM
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#574
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
This is one of the threads most notorious for spammers. Have you noticed?
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*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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10-22-2011, 11:15 AM
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#575
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Yes, Harrie - I take some out almost every day! They like to go where the most posts are thinking that is where their message will be seen. Yes, I (and other moderators) SEE them. They never sit here long.
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"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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12-19-2011, 11:52 AM
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#576
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Lani suggested I post a link to this thread here, I'm six and a half years out now and hardly remember posting it at the time until someone brought it forward but its good to know even the bad times are forgotten with time 
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23666
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Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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12-19-2011, 12:14 PM
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#577
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 53
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
Amen! I am not sure when you start counting, but after 3 years from diagnosis I don't think about it first thing when I wake up. I went for PET scan today so the wait begins!
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PATTY
FOUND MY TUMOR IN 11/08 AFTER CLEAR MAMMOGRAM ON 5/31/08
DX 12/09/2008 STAGE II
CHANGED TO STAGE IIIA AFTER MRI
SURGURY FOR TWO PET SCAN NODES IN CHEST NEGATIVE (DEC08)
AC (4 COMPLETE MAR09)
TAXOL HERCEPTIN (12 TREATMENTS COMPLETE IN JUN09 )
SURGERY IN JUN09 - COMPLETE RESPONSE (BOTH BREASTS NEG AND 9/9 LYMPH NODES NEG) NED
HERCEPTIN RESTARTED IN JUL09 WEEKLY UNTIL JUL10
PET SCAN - NEGATIVE DEC11 AND AUG09
BRAC - NEGATIVE SEP09
28 RADS COMPLETE SEP09
BONE SCAN - NEGATIVE MAR10
PET SCAN - NEGATIVE DEC11
PET SCAN - SARCOIDOSIS OCT11 thought cancer was back thank The Lord it is not they think!!!!!!
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12-19-2011, 03:53 PM
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#578
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
I too received an email about reposting my experience with Herceptin. I have been on this drug since 2002 after being dx with metastatic disease. Other than the fingernail issues and occasional shortness of breath after treatment, I experience no real side effects anymore. I'm not sure if I have just become used to the aches and pains and cognitive issues or if it's just part of getting older and not the treatment after all. After years of weekly treatments, I switched to every 3 weeks a few years back but had an issue with my hands peeling and burning. So I went back to weekly for awhile then switched to the every 3 weeks schedule again. I am able to function after treatment but I choose to go home and rest - letting the drug do it's job. I plan on staying on the treatment as long as I can.
Last edited by elcalabrese; 12-19-2011 at 04:00 PM..
Reason: spelling errors
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12-19-2011, 04:05 PM
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#579
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 53
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Re: Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!
I had hand issues and thought it was from taxol but it continued when I went to Herceptin only. I felt it is better to deal with that than the chance of my cancer coming back if I stopped early.
__________________
PATTY
FOUND MY TUMOR IN 11/08 AFTER CLEAR MAMMOGRAM ON 5/31/08
DX 12/09/2008 STAGE II
CHANGED TO STAGE IIIA AFTER MRI
SURGURY FOR TWO PET SCAN NODES IN CHEST NEGATIVE (DEC08)
AC (4 COMPLETE MAR09)
TAXOL HERCEPTIN (12 TREATMENTS COMPLETE IN JUN09 )
SURGERY IN JUN09 - COMPLETE RESPONSE (BOTH BREASTS NEG AND 9/9 LYMPH NODES NEG) NED
HERCEPTIN RESTARTED IN JUL09 WEEKLY UNTIL JUL10
PET SCAN - NEGATIVE DEC11 AND AUG09
BRAC - NEGATIVE SEP09
28 RADS COMPLETE SEP09
BONE SCAN - NEGATIVE MAR10
PET SCAN - NEGATIVE DEC11
PET SCAN - SARCOIDOSIS OCT11 thought cancer was back thank The Lord it is not they think!!!!!!
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12-19-2011, 08:02 PM
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#580
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
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Re: regaining memory possibilities?
I was also on Taxol 1x per week for 12 weeks and Herceptin. After the chemo ended, the Herceptin continued to finish the year. I made it through! I also had memory/word retrieval issues, week nails, fatique, hot flashes. The chemo put my right in menapause.
I'm not sure what was the Taxol and what was the Herceptin.
I ended the Herceptin in April 2011, and since then, I am back at work and doing well. I still have good and bad days but mentally and physically, I'm doing better. I do Sudoku puzzles to improve my mental clarity. If I need a question repeated, I just ask. It is what it is and I'm alive :-)
I'm glad I may the decisions that I did. I had early stage Her2neu +++ stage 1a, High grade with no lymph node involvement. I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction because of my past history of breast tumors, scar tissue, and dense breast tissue. I don't regret taking an aggressive stand. It turned out to be the best choice for me.
bcsurvivor
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