What to expect with 1st round of Herceptin

[tousled1]

I just had surgery (bi-lateral mastectomy) a week ago and surgery revealed 14 positive nodes out of 26. My oncologist wants to start me on Herceptin next week and I start radiation July 5th. I will receive Herceptin only every 3 weeks. What can I expect with my first treatment? Will I be able to drive myself to/from the treatment?

[Esther]

Kate, for me Herceptin was very easy, and you should be able to drive yourself to and from treatment.

The first few times I had mild flu like symptoms, but they came on later in the day or the next day.

[Sherryg683]

Hi Kate, Herceptin for me is very easy, just expect some sinus problems and headaches..I luckly didn't have any flu symptoms...sherryg683

[MJo]

I had Herceptin on Wednesday and I have a runny nose today (Friday). I'm also a little tired. I'm typing this at work, so I'm not bad off at all.

Glad to see you had chemo from your DX post. I couldn't tell if you had it from this post.

[tousled1]

MJo,

I had neoadjunct chemo. 4 rounds A/C followed by 4 rounds Taxatore.

[Maggie]

Hi Kate, I think you would feel better if someone came with you the first time.

My husband comes sometimes just for company. My doctor uses a 90 minute infusion and by the time the nurse access's my port and takes blood, it's an hour and 45 minutes for me.

I only have problems with my nose. The first few times it ran constantly, now, 6 months, it's not as often. My nose gets terribly crusty too. Whatever it is that comes out is clear and is glue like or pasty in my nose. I guess that's why it sticks to your nostrils.

I did use the Ayr Saline Gel for the first couple of months but now I have better results with the Ayr Saline Nasal Mist. You can spray it as often as you need. The Gel or vaseline helps inside the nose to soften the crusties up.

I have never felt tired from it. I wish you well as you start tomorrow. Keep your chin up! You'll do fine!

Maggie

[LOPSIDED]

I'VE HAD 4 TREATMENTS OF HERCEPTIN. A COUPLE HOURS AFTER MY FIRST TREATMENT I WAS TIRED AND SLEPT A LITTLE BIT. NOTHING ELSE EXCEPT BODY ACHES BUT THAT STARTED AFTER TAXOTERE. I AM ABLE TO DRIVE MYSELF TO MY TREATMENTS BUT I DID HAVE MY BOYFRIEND TAKE ME FOR THE FIRST HERCEPTIN. I AM ALWAYS A LITTLE NERVOUS WHEN I START A NEW TREATMENT SO I FEEL BETTER IF SOMEONE IS WITH ME IN CASE I HAVE A REACTION. HERCEPTIN IS SO MUCH EASIER THAN OTHER CHEMO'S. HOPE YOUR TREATMENT GOES WELL. SHEILA

[Becky]

Dear Kate


You will be able to drive yourself. The next day, you might have a headache and feel fevery but Herceptin is not bad (I just had some at 3 o'clock). You will also feel tired but this will pass too.

It is the easiest drug ever.

Kind regards

Becky

[Chelee]

Hi Tousled1, As with all these drugs...we all react a little different. But with the Herceptin it seems most all of us experience pretty much the same side affects which amount to little to nothing. You mentioned having AC and Taxotere...believe me...Herceptin will be a piece of cake for you. :)

But since its the first time you *might* want someone to go with you to keep you company. And to make sure you don't have a reaction to herceptin...which I really doubt you will.

I have been getting herceptin since Feb. - 06. I get it with my full cycle of chemo...followed by weekly herceptin. The main thing I have noticed is the sinus problems. But I have found over time...I don't get much of that anymore. I use to have the dried, crusty, bloodly nose...but not anymore. Seems like my body has gotten use to it.

Other then that I did notice a bad headache once right after I had my herceptin. (But I take the tylenol now before I get it...hasn't happened again.) Maybe it was just a freak thing? I do sometimes feel a *little* tired that day...but not that bad. AFter having my Taxotere, Carbpotin...the herceptin has me feeling pretty much like I had nothing. So I think you will be quite pleased with just herceptin. You should be able to drive and do just about anything with no problems that same day.

Good luck to you..

Chelee

[chrislmelb]

i tolerate Herceptin very well and find the side effects so minor they are barely there. I had no problems for the first infusion and no meds with it. I was 18 mths out of chemo and longer from surgery, so i didn't have any post chemo/surgery things to deal with.
Christine

[tousled1]

Thank all of your for your replies. I'm sure you know how anxious someone gets when it's time to start a new drug.

[astrid]

I started Herceptin on Wednesday (June 14th). The Herceptin hit me hard. I had a fever of 100.5 from 5PM until around 2AM when I finally fell asleep. the next day, I felt weak all day. I went for a walk and I felt better after the walk. Day two, I still felt dizzy. Today is day three and I feel normal. I was very tired after my first infusion and was glad that my husband was there to drive me home. Don't take a chance. I tolerated chemo very well, so the herceptin surprised me.

[heblaj01]

Kate,

If you want to be further reassured after reading the previous posts on this thread here are the side effects on a 90 year old woman treated only with Herceptin (so no delayed chemo problems) since may 2006:

on first treatment:
-moderate nose bleed lasting 15 minutes (3 hours after the I.V.)
-moderate chills & hot flashes during the first 24 hours
-mild weakness the first few days

on second treatment:
- mild weakness
- moderate ankle swelling for about 2 weeks (not related to heart according to cardiologist). May be due to Herceptin or Decadron.

on third treament:
-only mild weakness

To minimize side effects she is taking one Tylenol one hour before the I.V. & a second pill 5 hours after the first one.
Premedication for each I.V. was 10 mg Decadron.
I.V. duration: extended to 2 hours for possible increased safety (not prescribed by onc).

It must be said that she never was treated with chemo or radiation: only anti estrogen drugs (& clodronate,zometa) at various times in the previous 24 years plus 3 lumpectomies in distant past. She has now her 4th recurrence.

P.S.
In spite of severe but stable angina pectoris (longstanding) her initial LVEF by MUGA test of 69% (prior to first treatment) seems so far to be unaffected. After her third treatment: echocardiogram indicates 62 to 70%.
She is taking 200mg CoQ10 (self prescribed).
CEA readings are decreasing at the rate of about 20-25% per month since the first treatment (20% down 15 days after the first I.V.)