SCARY TIMES! Doxil vs. Herceptin,Taxatere, & Carbo

[Lida]

I want to wish all of you a good Thanksgiving and send wishes to you for the best of health in the coming year.
This Thanksgiving has been the WORST time for me. (fighting several yrs) On Herceptin/Gemzar , my CEA just tripled in a month, my liver enzymes are still elevated (except bilirubin), and I get intermitent nausea, even 7 days past Gemzar!

It is SCARY because I need a powerful treatment with fast results! I am comparing 2 options. I am looking at Doxil as I never had it. It is synergistic with Herceptin, and a small study says it is pretty safe with Herceptin. Anyone else have Doxil with Herceptin? Anyone like the Doxil option? I am also looking at Herceptin, Taxatere (I had upon diagnosis of stage iv) with Carboplatinum. (I would not choose Taxol as I already have used it to the maximum which was 3 times!) Anyone like this option?

Has anyone had the Top2a test?

I think you are a group of smart, strong women and I respect your opinions and love the comaradarie of this group. Hoping to hear from my her2 friends in my time of need! Lida

[Becky]

Dear Lida

I am very sorry that you have not had good results yet. I have not taken Doxil but it is Adriamycin that is processed in a different way. Have you taken Adriamycin (or a sister drug Epirubicin)? If so, did you have good results?

Taxotere is a taxane. You took Taxol and you said you took it three times therefore you must have gotten some results with Taxol. If so, taxanes work well for you and Taxotere may work well. Carboplatin added to it with Herceptin is a good combination.

Top2A is a gene located near the Her2 gene on a strand of DNA. About one third of the time, when Her2 is overexpressed (meaning it has too many copies) then Top2A may have too many copies too. If you get your tumor tested and it is Top2A overexpressed, the anthracyclins (ie:Adriamycin, Doxil, Epirubicin) can work extra good (they still work if you aren't but they work extra well if you are).

Another thing to consider with Doxil is the potential for heart problems especially if you need to keep trying different chemos and or if you have to keep on chemo indefinitely. It is just a thought to ask your onc about.

Big hug to you

[Believe51]

Thinking and praying for you to combat this all with grace and ease. Please update us when you find out what you decision is. If you look at my husband's bio below, he has had some of these drugs as you and Becky have mentioned. Taxotere worked well for a long time, kept the man on the right tract for a while.

I will be watching your journey and keeping you shielded in my heart while you make these hard decisions. Thinking positive thoughts for your next tribulation to kick the tail out of these very unwelcomed cancer cells. Go away to them all!!>>Believe51

[doh2pa]

Hi Lida,

I think both of these are good options. I've done both and found the doxil to be harder but everyone is different. Some folks have a pretty easy time with doxil and I am only getting it once every 28 days which is nice. And you don't loose your hair.

[DanaRT]

Lida, I don't know that much about Doxil but I did well on the Taxotere/Carboplatin combo. Hang in there.
I continue to be amazed at the wealth of information one can gather at this site..and so quickly too.
Dana

"Keep pushing forward" Christopher Reeves

[Lida]

Donna and group, Thanks for the messages so far. It is so tough trying to get a fast treatment response, but also considering toxicity. I have to make the decision real soon, so I am grateful for ANY INPUT you may have! Donna, what type of side effects do you get on Doxil? Are you on Doxil by itself? Donna and group, what kind of side effects do you see on Carboplatinum? Lida

[Lida]

Donna and group, Thanks for the messages so far. It is so tough trying to get a fast treatment response, but also considering toxicity. I have to make the decision real soon, so I am grateful for ANY INPUT you may have! Donna, what type of side effects do you get on Doxil? Are you on Doxil by itself? Donna and group, what kind of side effects do you see on Carboplatinum? Lida

[Unregistered]

I might be careful with the Doxil combined with Herceptin if you would like to be on Herceptin long term as the combo can be hard on the heart and if MUGA goes too low they will have to take you off the Hercepti.

.

[freyja]

Dear Lida,
All I can say is Taxotere, Carboplatinum and Herceptin is working really, really well for me. I have one treatment of the T and C left (out of 6), and about 8 months of herceptin left, and my tumor has shrunk from 3 quadrants of the breast to almost non-existent. I've also had relatively few side-effects. Just some constipation, heartburn, metallic taste and dry mouth, drippy nose. No nausia or vomitting. I even still have my period (great for me since I'm only 31 years old)...of course I did lose my hair, though.

Everyone's so different though. I don't know the specifics of your case, but my tumor was HER-2 3+, ER+, PR-, stage IIIa, grade 2.

That's my two cents. Hope this is helping somehow. We all have our battles in life, but we can't fight them alone.
Love, Celeste