Herceptin and wound issues ??

Jaimieh · 09-03-2009, 07:08 AM

I finished 6 rounds of TCH on May 18 and I had exchange surgery on June 17 and I have been having wound healing problems since. Initially the incisions close and then after I get herceptin they open back up in the same week. My implants where exchanged 3 weeks ago yesterday and everything was fine during my follow up on Tuesday with the PS. Wednesday morning I woke up to a tiny blister on my incision and today there is a hole. During my second exchange all of the fluid was checked and it isn't an infection. So it got me thinking is it something to do with the herceptin ?? (which I will continue with until February) I am really concerned now that I will have incision problems even if they remove the implants.

So did anyone else have healing problems while on herceptin ??

Joan M · 09-03-2009, 07:46 AM

Jaimieh,

I've had several two surgeries (and radiofrequency ablation of the lung, where my lung collapsed during the procedure and I had to stay in the hospital for a few days with a drainage tube), and I have not had healing problems with Herceptin.

Joan

rondo · 09-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Jamieh,
I did have some problems with recurrent wounds on my fingers in areas of repeated trauma; they recurred after every herceptin treatment. The one surgery I had during herceptin healed, but there was a lot of swelling and nerve pain. All of this did eventually resolve, and I am nearly 3 months past my last herceptin treatment. I had my port out 2 weeks ago today, and am healing up like my normal self again. I do think the herceptin definitely affects healing and drags you down a bit, but it all went away for me and I am feeling GREAT so hang in there!