Sinus, Tylenol and Stomach ?'s
 

After my 1st weekly Herceptin ( I originally started every 3 week doses on 8/18/05, but due to raised liver enzymes I was switched to every week to see if that would help and I had a CT and chest xray on 11/21/05 which both came back ok as well as on my last dose on 11/23/05, I was told my enzymes have lowered) I have experience BAAAAD sinus's. My eyes are runny, drains into my throat, my vision gets funky (hard to explain and it comes and goes, depending on the sinuses) and my ears hurt from time to time. My nurse said my glands were swollen, but that my ears didn't look infected and unless it turns yellowish green, no antibiotic would help. I was originally told to take Tylenol sinus, but after reading some posts about avoiding Tylenol (not clear why), I'm not sure WHAT to take. Also, unrelated, I feel a "pressure" (as if a baby's foot is in your side) in my right abdomen, mid to high stomach, anyone else have this (this started about a week ago, fairly constant, but not painful...just pressure. I'm POSITIVE I'm not pregnant (no period since April 05, nor sex since 2002:)). Any ideas. Thank you SO much, you are the greatest (I MEAN that!!!!:)

Rhonda Hoffman

Rhonda,

I have been sniffling and wiping my eyes for 2 years now. This can be a Herceptin side effect. One Claritin a day helps.

I'm concerned about the combo of rising liver enzymes and pain in your upper right stomach (liver area). Have you had any pain under your right shoulderblade in the back? At any rate, you should let your onc know. I feel sure he/she will want to do a torso CT to rule out liver mets.

Don't let me panic you. But do get tested if possible.

Love and light,

Lisa

Rhonda


I have had all your symptoms (except the elevated liver enzymes but do have the under the ribcage "fullness" feeling). I had CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis in the beginning of October just because of it and came out clean (and got a bone scan just to scan everything - again its clean). I feel mine is muscular as it bothers me more when I do toning exercises (situps etc from some of the old Jane Fonda workout tapes). But there is nothing there. I get worse after Herceptin infusion - runny nose, cheek pressure (like my eyes are going to pop right out of my head). The rt side abdomen "fullness" comes and goes. Onco is a great doctor and said that one of his other patients on Herceptin has this too and does not have liver mets (but does have bone mets which is why she was put on it a couple of years ago anyway).

I will say that getting the clean scans really made me feel better about everything.

Best regards

Becky