I was wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge about the optimum scheduling for gemnzar/herceptin? My wife was originally scheduled for 3 weeks on Gemzar/Herceptin and 1 week off the Gemzar until they realized that because she gets treatment through the hospital (doc is out of network), they would have to do the "standard" 2 on and 1 off. This makes me very nervous since this was not the docs 1st choice and I want to use every inch to fight this disease.

Thanks, Eric

Eric,
My wife is 3-weeks on, then 1-week off. It's too soon to tell if there is any improvement. Jeanne is stage IV with mets on the lungs, brain, liver & bone. Lung mets seem to be the most advanced, brain comes in as a close second.
My thoughts & prays are with you.
Gil

My wife took Gemzar/herceptin on the 3 weeks of Gemzar/Herceptin, 1 week of Herceptin. Her neutrophil counts went down and she was given Neulasta to raise her counts. It worked pretty well and my wife was able to take the treatments on time.

Hi Eric,
I had been on gemzar/herceptin weekly from early Feb thru May without a white count problem, then began to experience extreme fatigue for the first time ever. I skipped 2 weeks, and am now moving to an every other week gemzar/herceptin schedule. While I want to fight this disease with everything available, it's a priority to me to feel well. Good luck to you and your wife! I'm sure she will do fine on her new schedule.
Take care,
Jackie

Is anyome on gemzar + Heceptine + navelbine? Linda and I are leaning towards this combination. but need more subjective data. The docs can say what they want; but only the patients feel what's going on. Sorry is that sounds a little meta-physical but I would put intuition before clinical trials any time!

Hi,
for the brief period of time I was on Gem/her I was 2 on 1 off.
el

Eric

I am on gem herceptin and xeloda 2 weeks on 1 week off. I have been on it since March and am doing well. It has been very successful with my extensive lung mets. I was homebound on oxyggen 24/7. I have been off oxygne for 2 months and my scans look almost clear. I must say though that after 6 cycles, it is getting harder to tolerate. ( diarrhea and fatigue ). So I think if it is still working, I may have to consider a slight dose reducation.

Best of luck to you and your wife.