Taxol and Herceptin 1 x 12 weeks

[Randi]

Hi Everyone,

I have 3 mroe a/c's then I start weekly taxol/herceptin. I'm er and pr + and her2neu +, no node involvement, 2.8 cm tumor, lumpectomy.

Any thoughts on what to expect. Is the herceptin to keep the cancer from recurring?

Thanks,

[Laurie S]

I have had 2 of my 12 weekly taxol/herceptins and I feel much better than I did with the AC A little bone pain and a little tingling in my feet that starts about the second day and lasts just for a day or so.
Yes, the herceptin is to help prevent recurrence.

Good Luck !
Laurie

[*_Vicki Z_*]

Laurie and Randi, are you have the taxol-herceptin for only 12 weeks or are you continuing on with herceptin after that? I agree that the taxol-herceptin is tolerable. I went to work while doing it weekly for 12 weeks. My fingertips were a bit tingly and I did make sure I rested a bit more. Thinking of you both, Vicki

[Lisa]

About 1/3 of all bc patients are HER2+. Of that group, about 2/3 have tremendous benefits from Herceptin. The other 1/3 must use Herceptin in conjunction with a chemo drug for its full effectiveness OR Herceptin doesn't seem to help at all.

Does that make sense?

99 women with breast cancer=33 are HER2positive.

Of the 33 positive women, 22 will benefit from Herceptin alone.
The other 11 will not benefit or will benefit only when combined with chemo.

Anyway, I have no idea why I got into that!

While Taxol will work to kill cancer cells, Herceptin will work to put the brakes on cancer cells, holding them in place until they die a natural death or the Taxol kills them.

The taxol/Herceptin is a very good combo. Your side effects should be few. But if you lost your hair with A/C, expect more of the same with Taxol.

Keep us posted!

Love and light,


Lisa

[Laurie S]

Yes, I am continuing on herceptin every three weeks for a year, or even longer if I can talk my onc into it.

[lor]

I am on my third week of taxlol/herceptin after 4 A/Cs. I am stage 3a, her2+++, er/pr+, 32 years old.
I finally have a normal sence of smell again, where everything does not smell so bad anymore. I find the taxol to be more tollerable. I have some minor aches occasionally that last a few minutes at a time. My hair looks like it might be coming back! (I hope.) My toe nails feel funny, not sure where that is going. Overall this is better than the AC. I will continue with the herceptin for a year, and tamoxofen or AIs, still not sure what I am going to do there yet.
Remember to rest when you feel like you need to. I find that is a big help physically and mentally.

God bless,
Lori

[Cheryl]

Hi Randi,

I will have my 5th weekly Taxol/Herceptin on Monday. I have found the Taxol much easier than the AC. I have not had any naseau, and have cut the Zofran (anti-naseau med) back to just two on the day of chemo and half of one twice the next day. Next week I plan to try only the day of, because I think the Zofran contributes so much to constipation etc... and if not needed then get rid of it. One thing, my first week of Taxol/Herceptin was worse than the last three have been, so if you have a harder time don't get discouraged. I think it is more the premeds (bendryl and steroids) than anything else. Those steroids really stay with you all week, and make me feel "caffeinated". The night of chemo it is very hard for me to sleep because of them. Otherwise, I am very flushed for a couple of days and on the 2nd or 3rd day I get some body aches, but they are tolerable. I had to start taking pepcid because the Taxol caused acid reflux. I will be on that for the duration. So far......my fuzzy regrowth on my head is still there. A lot of my eyelashes and brows fell out at the end of AC, but not any more yet. Let's keep hoping. I know that 12 weeks feels like an eternity. With 8 more to go, I keep reminding myself of what this is doing for me and it gives me strength.

Best wishes to you,
Cheryl

[Cheryl]

Randi, forgot to mention that several women on this sight have recommended L-Glutamine and Vitamin B6 to help with Neuropathy. I started taking both this week after asking my onc.'s permission. I also started taking COQ10 for my heart because of the Herceptin. There is no strong clinical data that it helps, but it doesn't hurt and she said go for it.
Also, about that first week being harder -- My first dose of Herceptin was a double dose. I think they all are. There is a possibility of some reaction to the first dose of Herceptin, and with it being double who knows, maybe that was my problem. I have my infusion on Monday, and by Friday I can make plans for my weekend.

God Bless.

[*_Vicki Z_*]

Thanks, Laurie, about adding the info. on 1 yr. of herceptin. What are your stats? I'm ER-/PR-, her2+++, stage 1, grade 3, no nodes

[SusanAnne]

Cheryl,

Ask your doctor for a sleeping pill. I took an Ambien the night of each treatment and it enabled me to sleep. It's not addictive.

Susan

[Laurie S]

Hi vicky, I was stage 2, 2 nodes pos. , Her2+++, er-/pr- I will also will be doing radiation in Sept. Laurie

[Gretchen]

I had my 4th treatment of weekly Herceptin and Taxol on Friday. I am beginning to feel some tingling in my feel today. My hair started coming out in handfuls after my 3rd week, so I shaved off my hair, and wear a wig to work. I haven't had to miss any work time, except time off for treatments, but notice I'm starting to get tired. I got off schedule after my first treatment because of low white blood counts, so I take a neupogin injection 24 hours after my treatment (I was going to learn to do this myself, but my next door neighbor is a nurse, and she's giving me the shot!) Hopefully one shot a week will get me through the next 8 treatments - my white blood count is dropping again, but still is good enough to get the chemo on schedule. My side effects so far have been flushing one day after the treatment, and constipation - feels like I shut down for a day, and take a few days to get things moving again. The premedication is given at the clinic the day of the treatment, and I don't have to take any medications except the shot. So far I've been able to eat everything, but am suspicious of mouth sores developing in the next few weeks. Has anyone experienced this?