starting Herceptin soon

tsiet · 02-18-2007, 08:12 PM

Hello,
My name is Teri and I am 42 years old. I was diagnosed 5 years ago(2002) with IBC. I with through the regular chemo for 4 months, had a masectomy and then did more chemo for 4 more months and radiation for 8 weeks. I seem to be sailing through until last Aug. when I was told I now had bone mets. At first we tried Tamoxifien and Zometa for 4 months but it did not work. I have just finished 3 weeks of radiation because I was in a lot of pain so they thought it would help reduce the pain. I am scheduled to have a port put in my arm tomorrow so I can start receiving a low dose of Taxotere and Herceptin in 2 weeks. I was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect with Taxotere and Herceptin. I have seen some of the posts and it looks like I might be in for the long haul.

Bev · 02-18-2007, 09:02 PM

Hi Teri.

Well taxol and taxotere are cousins so I would guess you should expect to feel the same as when you had taxol. For most of us Herceptin is background noise, leaky nose, stunted fingernails, etc. Try to find the old thread, "Herceptin side effects, real or perceived" by using the search button in the purple tool bar above.

You should do fine. Hope the Herceptin kicks those mets. Good luck, BB

tnbelle22 · 02-18-2007, 09:56 PM

Teri,

I have been on Herceptin alone for almost two years now, after 7 months of Herceptin and Taxol for liver mets. I did have nail problems and hair loss while on both of them. Since I have been off chemo, it has been a breeze. My nails are brittle and don't grow very quickly, but my hair has grown back fine. I am having no problems at all on the Herceptin. I have some stiffness after sitting for an extended period of time, but that is probably from being 52. I sure can't complain.

Good luck,
Tricia

Emelie · 02-20-2007, 08:36 AM

Teri,
I have been taking Taxotere with Herceptin for 5 weeks now. I chose the weekly over the every three weeks. It has gone pretty good for me. The day of and the day after are fine. After that I get some bone pain, especially around my ribs, and a really bad taste in my mouth. I suck on Sweet Tarts to help. I have been having hot flashes and night sweats so my onc put me on Effexor 37.5 mg. I still get them occasionally, but nothing like before. My eyebrows are falling out as are my eyelashes, but my hair is growing back in from the AC I received previously.
I have had a tremendous response to these drugs, so do be positive.
Best of luck and write if you have any questions.
Emelie

VirginiaGirl · 02-21-2007, 03:15 AM

Teri - I was dx w/ bone mets 7/06, tried hormone & Herceptin and got no response, mets continued. I started on Taxotere & Herceptin, and the PET/CT scan I had last week after 4 treatments (once every 3 weeks) showed a GREAT response. None of my bone mets showed, nor any other spots of mets except for one lymph node in my chest that had shrunk from 1.5 cm to only 6 mm. This was a better response than I had allowed myself to hope for, so I'm thrilled! I've tolerated the treatments well. I did lose my hair after the 2nd tx, still have my eyelashes and eyebrows so far, though they've thinned (at least no tweezing!). The Zometa also did a great job healing my bones, though we're taking a break from it for now. Keep your chin & hopes up, and let us know how it goes!

katsc49 · 02-21-2007, 10:23 AM

Hi,
I am in SC, and have BC which spread to my lung. I have had 6 weeks of herceptin and taxotere. The taxotere causes the most side effects w/me. I had 3 weeks of tummy problems, runny nose, very dry hands and feet and have lost most of my hair. Though the side effects are many, they are still mild, just keep your body built up with good nutrition when you are able, exercise and have good communication with your onco, if you would like to email me, you may, @ kgsc25@yahoo.com.
We are all here for each other and I will be there.
continued blessings and I will pray for you,
kathy

janet11 · 02-22-2007, 07:44 AM

For the really bad taste in your mouth, try Biotene mouthwash. It's over the counter, and REALLY helped when I got "sewer mouth".

Janet

tsiet · 03-04-2007, 12:10 AM

Hello everyone,
A few weeks ago I wrote about starting Herceptin and having to have a port put in my arm. I also wrote about all my frustrations. I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally got my port put in after having a platelet transfusion. It took five tries to finally get everything in place but I decided I needed to follow through for the sake of my daughter. I also wanted to thank everyone for all there positive comments and encouragement. I was scheduled to start the Herceptin last Friday but my blood counts were to low again. My doctor wasn't sure what was going on because it seems as though my blood counts keeping dropping even after shots of Neupogen and the transfusion. My doctor seems to think it might be from the 3 weeks of radiation. Since they did radiation on 8 different spots, my doctor thinks that my bone marrow was burned so bad that it can't reproduce the red or white blood cells as quickly as it should. They gave me a shot of Neulasta and Aranesp in hopes that I will be ready for chemo next week. I was just wondering if anyone had ever heard of the bone marrow being burnt. I had radiation years ago during my first time of cancer and I never had a problem with the bone marrow. Right now it seems like I am having delay after delay and it is frustrating. The radiation was originally done to reduce my pain from the bone mets and it did get rid of the pain but since I finished radiation a month ago the pain is coming back. I am really concerned that the delay is giving the cancer a chance to grow again. When I had the original cancer 5 years ago I did seem to pick up every possible infection out there so I am hoping that doesn't continue this time. I would be interested in knowing if anyone has ever experienced these same problems.