Have question on going to Hercetin every 3wks

[Val Pfeiffer]

I am on maintenance Herceptin every week and will be switching to every three weeks (BTW--I appreciated the recent thread regarding how long the infusion should take--thanks!) -- I'd like to hear from those of you who are receiving Herceptin every three weeks.

How do the side effects differ with the increased dosage of Herceptin? Right now I get the weekly dose every Thursday and I am tired on Friday nights and Saturdays. What side effects should I expect with the triple dosage of Herceptin? In your opinions, how will it be different than what I experience now?

thanks!
Val

[Becky]

Val

I just did what you will be doing. I had 12 weekly infusions then switched. This past Friday was my third every 3 weeker. I am more tired on Friday night - the tiredness used to not hit me until Saturday (with Friday being ok) but not anymore. I get a lot more sinus pressure on Saturday and Sunday. Otherwise, its not any worse or different.

When I had my first Herceptin (loading dose), I had a headache the next day - not devastasing but moderate and nothing would make it go away except a good night's sleep. I never got that headache again except for my first 3 weeker and then I never got a headache again.

It does take longer (90 minutes versus 30 minutes) but then.....NO cancer center for 3 weeks!!!

I switched because of winter coming and I was afraid to get iced in or snowed out of the cancer center and missing a treatment. You will like this Val and you won't feel any different than the weekly (and you won't be tired every weekend just every third weekend too).

Warm regards,

Becky

[Esther]

I started out on the once a week schedule, as well, then switched to every 3 week schedule after a year of chemo and Herceptin.

I get really tired the night of my Herceptin infusion, and go to bed early. But I'm pretty much back to normal the day after.

I'm really liking the every 3 week schedule. I feel so normal most of the time! My energy levels have really had a chance to increase to the point where I feel almost as energetic as I did prior to my mets diagnosis.

[Sheila]

Val
I have always had Herceptin every 3 weeks, a 30 min infusion, & other than tired for a day or 2 & the runny nose, I have had no problems.....been doing this for 2 years.

[Barbara]

Val:

I am much like the other ladies. I am tired the first night, I get a mild headache for three days, a runny nose and usually mild indigestion which has lessoned as time has gone on. My only problem was the three times the nurses ran the infusion over 30 minutes instead of 1- 1 1/2 hours; then I had a sneezing attack, severe congestion, etc.

Barbara