herceptin weekly or every three weeks

[sassy]

I will finish my 12th taxol/herceptin this week then my onc plans on herceptin weekly for the remainder of a year. I have seen where some of you have gone to herceptin every three weeks. Could you share your onc's reasons for this? It would help with the logistics of my treatment because I have to travel 2hours away for treatment. I have had left mast, 4 dose dense a/c 12 taxol/herceptin, will have 33 rads in Oct and start AI soon with continued herceptin. Stage II, triple positive, 5 of 14 nodes. Thanks for any info.

Sassy

[Cheryl]

Sassy,

On Monday of this week I had my first weekly dose of herceptin. My onc. told me that she was going to switch me to every 3 weeks after my next two weekly. She had received literature (didn't say where from, Genentech maybe?, or ASCO?) stating that it was as or more effective. I could tell this was brand new and they were just adjusting to it. I would imagine yours will get the same thing. Yes, for me it will mean by the time they make the adjustment I will make like 15 total trips for herceptin instead of 40 more on top of the 12 already with taxol, and then of course everything else.

Good luck,
Cheryl

[nikkiuk]

Hi Sassy, you sound as though you have almost the same path report as mine, only i had 7/14 nodes, but i am still stage 2 and currently recieving Herceptin 3 weekly at the moment, i would be interested to know if there is any huge difference between the weekly protocol and the 3 weekly one? is it the same as dose dense chemo? hope you are well....

[Rhonda4]

I started the 3 week regimen on 8/18, other than being tired while receiving it due to the Benadryl and a little tired the next day, I feel fine. No reason was given to me, just that "this is what I propose". I was dx on 2/1/05, partial mastectomy 2/8/05, 6 rounds of dose dense Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan ending 5/18/05, 33 rads ending 8/1/05 and now a year of Herceptin every 3 weeks. To me the 3 weeks will be more convenient as I am a single mother with a 4 yo son (his father is in time out), my father passed away the day before my 3rd chemo and I am still working on settling his estate and cleaning out his properties which are 100 miles from here (I am an only child, but his lady friend...who had breast cancer 3 times and is a 13 yr survivor and my aunt are a HUGE support) and my 73 yo mother who lives with me is ill and I am running her to doctor appointments trying to get her dx and better as well as work full time as an underwriter for Zurich insurance (thank GOD, they have been awesome through this whole thing). MY philosophy...It could always be worse:)

[LindaBL]

Sassy:

I started out on the every three week schedule and have had two treatments.

My oncologist suggested the schedule to me. It is much more convenient than every week. He said the three week protocol is just as effective as weekly. I believe there was a study done (forget what it was called). He was at the ASCO conference so the results may have been presented there.

For three days after treatment, I am having minor side effects. I don't know if the side effects would be less if I went every week.

Linda

[Pam]

I have had 5 treatments of Herceptin. once every three weeks. I started this after 4 rounds of AC, 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin, mastectomy, radiation.

The Herceptin is really easy, the only side affect for me is my nails grow bumpy and thin.

I am scared that after 9 months of Herceptin, then what? Then we wait?

As long as I am on Herceptin, I feel that I am doing something. My oncologist said that I could do weekly or every three weeks. The only difference is the dosage. Your dosage is lower if you have herceptin every week. I would rather do every 3 weeks, at least you don't have to go to the hospital as often.

Take Care.

Pam

[Debs]

Hi ya

My onc didn't even suggest weekly just immediately put me on a 3 week rota - I dont even have any anti-allergy drugs with it either - I am one of the lucky ones that doesn't have too many side affects - just get tired but think that could be due to the hormone drugs as well arimidex and zoladex. But can put up with all of that as it is working big time and without it I would be very ill!!! I am coming up for my 11th but will be on it until my tumors (I have mets to the liver) get immune to it - so hopefully that will be for quite a while (keeping everything crossed - so cant walk LOL)

Hope it works out as well for you too

Love Debs