navelbine/herceptin

sally · 05-25-2010, 05:11 PM

I've been on Adiramycin since September 09. It stopped working and have progession in my liver, spine,right arm and left collar bone. I am going back on Herceptin which I haven't been on in a few years. I will also be on Navelbine which I have never been on. Any info or input on Navelbine/Herceptin 3 weeks on 1 week off would be appreciated. I haven't posted much lately but I lurk often. Thanks for listening. Sally

Pam P · 05-26-2010, 03:42 AM

I had great success on navelbine/herceptin combo a few years ago. I was on it for a year. I had the same schedule: 3 weeks on, 1 off. It was pretty tolerable, I felt good, sometimes slight nausea the day after infusion but mild. The only issue I had on it was my wbc were always low. I had to give myself neupogen shots for 3 days after each infusion. Once I learned that trick it was very easy and I didn't mind it at all. When I quit navelbine after 1 year I was able to maintain on herceptin only for another 6 months.

I was on navelbine again in this last year. Unfortunately it didn't work as well for me the 2nd time around so I'm not on a different combo.

Mary Anne in TX · 05-26-2010, 07:07 AM

Hi Sally!
I found Navelbine and Herceptin very doable after the others!
Side effects were mild. ma

Ceesun · 05-26-2010, 07:23 AM

ditto for me...I was on it for about 18 months...hair thinned a bit but I was also on Xeloda, too. Good Luck

Kavy · 06-02-2010, 09:20 PM

Sally,
I was on Nalvabine/Herceptin for 18 months (2006/2007), and the combo almost made the tumors in my lung disappear. It was a very easy combo, my hair grew back, I felt normal, just had low wbc sometimes, so I had to get neupogen shots or to skip chemo, but it was very doable. Nalvabine was the best chemo for me so far, I hope it will be for you too.
KarlaV.

Karen Wheel · 06-03-2010, 02:40 PM

Sally - I chose the combination when I first did my therapy (See my signature) but they have had good results with N and H - that is why I chose it. And... it isn't that "toxic" of a chemo. Also --- I would HIGHLY suggest taking it in pill form --- I started with the IV fluid form and then after 3 weeks one of the nurses set the IV too slow and the chemo burned up my left arms veins --- so we went to weekly pills as I needed some time off for my veins to heal. The bright side of that was that the pills seemed to make me less sick and less tired. Not sure why - but my body handled it WAY better. I would try the pills if I were you!

:-) Also - along with the drugs - I would highly suggest you read this book:
Beating Cancer with Nutrition. By Patrick Quillen PhD
He writes about how to combine chemo and therapy with nutrition and how to protect our bodies from more damage - he has great references to what types of supplements to take (or not take) when doing therapy --- as he worked with a cancer hospital and had lots of great success stories with cancer. I am reading his book now and wished I would have known what I am learning now --- back last year when I was doing the treatment!

Feel free to email me if you have more questions - "wheelistic@yahoo.com" ---

Take care - Karen

Chelee · 06-04-2010, 12:41 AM

Hi Sally,
Navelbine and Herceptin have a good synergy--and best of all it's very easily tolerated by most. I did it for five months and went on with my daily life with little to no problems. Slight hair thinning and the worse thing would be low wbc. I gave myself Neupogen shots for that. But no heavy side affects...life was pretty good on that combo. Wishing you all the best...lets us know how it goes. Here's to it kicking cancers butt.

Chelee

sally · 06-06-2010, 07:53 PM

I would like to thank everyone for their time and sharing their experiences with me. I start Herceptin/Navelbine tomorrow. I will let you know how I make out. Thanks again, Sally

Sheila · 06-12-2010, 05:35 AM

Sally
Hoping this combo is very easy on you...it was one of my easiest...wish it worked longer for me....hope it is doing its job!!!