herceptin 1wk vs 3wk

elcalabrese · 10-31-2006, 05:25 AM

Hello,
After reading all the side effects (including my own) from Herceptin my question is how many of you with the more severe side effects are on the once/3wk schedule? How many once a week? It seems to me that I didn't have all the problems until I switched to every 3 weeks about a year ago.
I will be seeing my onc next week and I plan on bringing this up because I am seriously considering going back to once a week.
Thanks
Eleanor

janet/FL · 10-31-2006, 06:50 AM

Eleanor, I noticed no difference.
Sorry you are having so many problems.
If I were you I would switch back to the weekly plan and see if it helps. You can always go back to the three week infusion.
Janet

karen raines hunt · 10-31-2006, 09:50 AM

HI,

I was in the Hera trial..........A/C, then Taxol/Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks, then Herceptin weekly for another 40 weeks (ended in July). Once I started with Herceptin only, most of my discomforts, aches went away. In fact, by spring I was feeling great. Unfortunately, don't seem to feel as well and energetic now.
Warmest regards,
Karen

atdec05 · 10-31-2006, 09:54 AM

I've been on a weekly schedule for 9 months. I did a triple dose before I went on vacation, and did feel a little nauseous after that treatment. Maybe it takes longer to get symptoms if on a weekly schedule, but I have high blood pressure, soreness/pain in feet, legs, and back, intermittent headache, and now earache!

- Anna

madubois63 · 10-31-2006, 06:34 PM

I'd take the 1x a week over a triple dose anytime. I think it is easier on the heart, the muscles and joints - just my opinion. I had very little noticable side effects on both plans, but I did have to take a herceptin break when my MUGA rating dropped.

Maxine · 10-31-2006, 06:55 PM

I am so glad to read your message as I am going to ask my oncologist to go back to weekly instead of 3 weekly, at the moment I am copinbg with 3 brain mets, liver, mets, chest wall recurrence after mastectomy 3 years ago, have had 3 radiotherapies this year on thigh, brain and chest wall but i generally feel okay would love to hear from anyone else in similar situation

tousled1 · 10-31-2006, 10:39 PM

I started Herceptin weekly and due to the side effects decided I'd go to the 3 week cycle. There was no change in the side effects with every week or every 3 weeks. I'm going to stick with the every 3 week cycle simply because it means less time spent at the doctors.

Sheila · 11-01-2006, 10:25 AM

I get Herceptin every 3 weeks and always have....the runny nose, watery eyes, dry skin and thinning eyebrows are the only side effects I seem to be bothered with....occasionally I feel tired the day of infusion, but sometimes I think it is the stress of the 150 mile roundtrip drive in nasty traffic that does it! At least with every 3 weeks, I feel I have some normalcy in my life!