Steroids

[Laurieanne]

Hi guys,
I finished my six tx of TCH the day before Thanksgiving with many problems. I seemed to be allergic to Taxotere and then the carbo and the herceptin. They kept giving more and more steroids to the point where they were afraid to give me anymore. The crash from that tx was horrible. Today I had my first three week tx of herceptin and when they gave me the solumedrol. I had an immediate reaction. Now they think my reactions weren't the taxotere or carbo & herceptin ,but the solumedrol. They gave me Decadron push,but I came around very slowly.

Tonight I am totally wiped out. My muscles are so week I can barely move. I'm sweating and exhausted.I would have thought I'd be buzzing around tonight from the decadron. Has anybody had anything like this happen. I'm wondering if I should go back to every week for herceptin. Although it would be a little more inconvienient. I don't want to feel like this. I thought just herceptin would be so much easier. My oncologist is really great and says," it's up to me".

I'd really appreciate some advice on this one. They tell me most people are o.k with the steroids, and getting the herceptin at three week intervals.

I also had a reaction tothe benedryl on tx # 2. Which now they think may have also been the solumedrol. They wanted to try that again today, but I wouldn't let them.

Thanks'
Laurie

[ElaineM]

I never took solumedrol, but I have to take benydryl and predisone when I get cat scans, because I am allergic to the iodine based injection. The benydryl wipes me out. It takes another day to completely recover.
Can your doc look on the information about your chemo to see what is actually recommended? Some types of chemo require pre meds and some do not. I didn't need pre meds for Herceptin, but I did when I took Taxotere.
Merry Christmas

[caya]

I had no premeds whatsoever with my every 3 week Herceptin. I was fine - wiped out for the first weekend after my Thursday infusion, but then more or less okay. I did have premeds with the Taxotere.

Good luck in sorting this out Laurieanne.

all the best
caya

[Mary Anne in TX]

Laurie, I never had premeds with herceptin. I did have it slowly to avoid any possible reactions and did just great for 2 1/2 years. Please consider the herceptin. I had reactions to taxol and it really scared me, but remember the goal....they'll help you find a way. ma

[jones7676]

The only thing I can tell you is that my greatly educated "cancer research employed" friends believe that the chance of my developing mets as fast as I did would have been greatly reduced had I been exposed to Herceptin on the first treatment round.

Secondly, I almost always receive some steroid type meds with my pre meds and it seems my body has slowly adjusted and tolerates it much better than it did initially.

It is your important decision to make though....and I would get as much professional and personal input as I could.

Good luck!

[BonnieR]

Laurie, what does your onc mean "it's up to me"? You need information on which to make treatment decisions. Can you get some other opinions about what is going on? The pharmacists who prepare the IVs at our cancer center were available to answer questions. Is that an option for you?
Keep the faith.

[Laurieanne]

Thank you guys for all your replies. I didn't mean to imply I was thinking about not doing herceptin. I am definitly doing herceptin. I was wondering if I should do it weekly or every three weeks, and if I might try it with no pre meds.
My doctor mean't it was up to me. If I did herceptin weekly or every three weeks. He does help me with the decisions, but it seems like I get more helpful information right here from you. Which I am truely grateful for.
I love you guys, Thanks,
Laurie

[StephN]

Hi Laurie -

You are not alone in feeling bad after your primary treatments. It takes a while for all of us to feel better and just going to the cancer center can bring on effects.

Some of the other ladies here stayed on the weekly Herceptin and that was better tolerated while they recover from the hard chemos.

In my case I have been on Herceptin for 7 solid years and never took any premed for it. For a while I got my Herceptin with Taxol and Navelbine and had light premeds for those drugs. Never took anything when just getting Herceptin.

Be sure you are getting enough liquids and rest to help with recovery from the chemos. Good diet also helps rebuild your system. Hope you will feel better soon now that the real culprit has been discovered!