HERCEPTIN Side Effects

[barbaralcook]

I had my first treatment with Hercpetin yesterday and had a serious side effect. Blood Pressure dropped, Oxygen level dropped was treated with steriod & oxygen. Really scary! Herceptin was stopped and I don't know if it will be recommended that I coutinue with prophylactic measures of Benedryl & Steriods or not. I don't even know if I should attempt it agein. I am 67 years with stage 1 invasive Ductal carcinoma with no lymph node involvement. I am ER positive, PR Negative and Her2 Positive. It is a difficult to know what I should do next. I have had 4 treatments of AC + Cytoxin and am currently on Arimidex. Hopefully, that will keep the cancer from returning, but Herceptin was recommended. Any ideas!

[Joe]

Why didn't they give you any premeds such as Benedryl before treatment? That is almost standard procedure.


Regards
Joe

[RobinP]

Why not get an echocardiogram or muga scan for your heart? Or you could have your cardiac enyzmes evaluated.

Robin

[Susan]

Hi: When I get my herceptin, I get two tylenols and benedryl before the herceptin. Did you get that? I had my 3rd treatment yesterday, and this time I didn't get a headache. The first two times, I had a tremendous headache for 5 days. They slowed down the drip this time, and they hoping maybe that would help, and I guess it did! Just have a drippy nose now

Good luck, Sue

[Marlys]

Barbara,
Hopefully your doctors will figure out what happened and why and you can go from there. I am like you. I am 67 years with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph node involvement. I am ER +++, PR+ and Her2 +++. I get Herceptin every 3 weeks. My only premed has been Tylenol but I have had no reactions or side effects. Assuming I would be terrified if what happened to you happened to me I would be willing to try again if the doctors suggested it. My prayers are with you.
Marlys

[barbaralea]

Marlys,

Thanks for the prayers. I see my oncologist Friday to see where we go from there re. Herceptin.