Trying to decide whether to take Tykerb

[forher]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there has/had brain mets and what your tx has been. My January MRI showed shrinking from stereotactic rads and no new ones. But how long does it take to really shrink?
I restarted herceptin every 3 weeks even though it does not cross BBB. It just makes feel better taking it. My body CT and PET show no disease. I can take Tykerb but I decided to wait until my next MRI to consider taking it. Any thoughts or comments on tx?
I feel fine and my headaches are pretty much gone. I just don't know if I should be proactive and take the Tykerb or do the "wait and see".
Thanks.

[Lucy]

I haven't had brain mets so don't know how long they take to shrink. When is your next MRI scheduled? That would probably be a factor in my decision on treatment because I wouldn't want to wait if it was going to be a while but if it was within the next couple of weeks, I'd probably go ahead and wait to see what the MRI showed. Have you asked your oncologist about it?

[forher]

Hi Lucy, so nice of you to reply. Sometimes I feel like posting here gives my husband and I a chance to think aloud as we go through this journey. I just had an MRI in Jan so my next one is in April, about 7 weeks away. I got a second opinion at UCSF and that onc said Tykerb is an option if I wanted. At first, when I discovered the brain mets, I wanted to take it right away. But after rads, (and recovery, the fatigue and headaches were awful after just those 2 SRS sessions, I feel so much better. I'm actually feeling like my normal self again (well, except for what seems like long term neuropathy and sleepless nights). But then I think, those pesky mets can creep up on me at any time. I don't know if I want to deal with the SE of Tykerb right now. Still thinking on it. Hoping others will chime in, for any feedback.