Remission and NED, now what?

Ceesun · 05-11-2007, 08:13 AM

Hi Friends, I am wondering for those who are stage 4 and in remission when does treatment stop? I assume herceptin goes on indefinitely, but what about the other drugs..6months, 1 year? Any comments are apprreciated. Fondly, Ceesun

Lolly · 05-11-2007, 09:22 AM

Hi Ceesun,
In my case, my onc would stop a successful chemo after 6 months, when NED or stable, and I would remain on Herceptin. I would usually have Herceptin/chemo combos weekly, then when chemo was stopped Herceptin would remain weekly until we were sure Herceptin could hold things, then I would go to Herceptin every 3 weeks.

Are you NED?! Congratulations!!!

<3 Lolly

DEBBIE S · 05-11-2007, 12:24 PM

Ceesun, Hi... When I stopped Chemo each time and remain on Hercp only the
cancer comes back... this last time I did stay off chemo for almost 7 months ...
Started back on Navelbeine with Hercp every other week in April ... I did inquire with my onc to see if I am considered Hercp resistant because I cannot do hercp alone and she says I am not ... the majority of her patients are on hercp with a chemo drug ... I normally have scans every 3-4 months ...You can stay on Hercp indefinetly being stage 4 .....

God Bless,

Debbie

pattyz · 05-11-2007, 04:24 PM

Perhaps it depends a bit on your mets... as well as personal choices.

First mets of mediastinal nodes/spot on lung and pelvis I did four rounds of Navelbine/Herceptin. When scans showed clear, I stopped treatment, including Herceptin, tho' my onc offered to keep me on it. That was nearly five yrs ago and my body remains NED.

Now, with my brain mets, it's been a different story. Since I've 'used up' my rads to brain and the Xeloda/Temodar has given me a reprieve of sorts, I continue taking one or both, for the past 22 months now.

But, that's just me, round peg in a square hole...

pattyz