First treatment of Herceptin

[Yvonne38]

Hi everyone
I am due to have my first treatment of herceptin on Monday and I know that the first treatment often takes 90 minutes to infuse but the hospital want me to wait around for 4 - 6 hours after the treatment is given just in case I react to it or what ever. I was wondering if anybody else here had to stay in the hospital for so long after their first treatment. It makes me really worried about what they are expecting to happen. I am already really scared about monday and the treatment.
Any feedback will be much appreciated.
thanks
hugs to you all
Yvonne

[RhondaH]

I left right after mine and had no problems. They are only being cautious (though 4-6 hrs seems extreme)...better to be safe than sorry.

Rhonda Hoffman

[Maryanne]

Yvonne,

Please dont be worried, I am sure it is only as an extra precaution as to why they are saying this. I have been on Herceptin since April, and have never had any side effects. I actually have it in the morning and then go to work. If you read most of the post here the members say the same thing. Maybe a little runny nose after, but nothing more. Try to relax while getting infused and know this is a great gift you are getting.
You'll be fine.
Maryanne

[Sheila]

I agree that they are being overly cautious making you wait so long after...I left right after my 90 min. infusion the first time and drove 80 miles back home...i have never had a problem other than achey the first time, and the runny nose since then. I have been on Herceptin for 2 years...it is a breeze....don't worry, it is a real gift to get this!

[Becky]

The wait is extreme. I got my infusion and went right home. My in laws live in Florida but come up to NJ in the summer for about a month (and live with us). The day of my first infusion they were here and having a party in our house for their friends. I was concerned with this (not knowing how I'd feel and having a party with 30 people) but I joined right in and had a good time. I got a mild to moderate headache with the first one (and still get a slight headache now) but it was okay

I go in an hour for my every three weeker.

Best regards

Becky

[Lolly]

I also went home after my first infusion, but they gave me strict instructions to call in if I started having symptoms other than small fever, aches, pains, etc. I agree with the others, they're being cautious, maybe overly so, but perhaps they've had a patient who had an allergic reaction to Herceptin and they'd rather be safe than sorry. Why don't you ask them? If they insist on you staying there for a few hours, just remember they're just looking out for you.

<3 Lolly

[andrearose]

Plan for the 4 hours and be happy if you don't need it. I had reaction -chills, shaking and rash on the needle arm so they had to slow the drip and pump me with benydryl and steroids. I slept for most of the rest of the day and had a headache for almost 10 days. The 2nd treatment was slow - 21/2 hours- but no reactions. I did sleep a lot for the next couple of days and the headache was lessened. Monday is #3 and I am hoping for an even easier time. I just keep telling myself this will pass and what will be left is protection. Good luck on Day 1.

[DeborahNC]

Just had my third Taxol/Herceptin Friday. I've only experienced a little reddening of my face the next couple of days. This last infusion tho it was the Benadryl that caused my breathing to become very shallow. The nurse slowed down the drip and it was relieved. The Taxol/Herceptin caused no reaction. I asked them to cut back on the Benadryl after the first infusion and will ask again next time.

But, stupid me...I didn't know a 'round' was three treatments! I thought I was already half done.

[Becky]

I read your post. The reddening of your cheeks is from the Taxol. This flush is fairly common (I got it when I was on Taxol). Be careful on not taking benadryl while you are taking the taxol/herceptin combination. When you are done with the taxol part, you can definitely consider dropping the benadryl (I did and so have others on this site) but the taxol is very, very allergic to most of the population. It is not the active ingredient in taxol but the emulsifier used in the formulation. The taxol active is very, very water insoluble so it is formulated with an ingredient called Cremophor EL which helps the active go into water (so the nurses can mix your dose for you). I am not sure you can drop the benadryl when getting taxol and please, discuss with your onco on this one. I am just giving you a heads up because dropping benadryl when only on herceptin is different than dropping benadryl when you are on the taxol/herceptin combination.

Best regards

Becky

Here is a link that may help explain.

A search on the net using the drug and side effects will usually find informative pages listing the effects of treatments.

Were you not told of the potential side effects risks/benifits prior to treatment?

http://www.breastcancer.org/herceptin_side_effects.html

RB

[DeborahNC]

for reading and responding with sound advice.