her2+
 

Hello,

I am new and wanted to say Hi for one and to ask a question. I am er,pr and her2+. I had a lumpectomy, 4 a/c and have had 2 taxol with 2 more taxol to go. I have 6 wks rads to go also. I had two treatments of herceptin before they figured out I was allergic to it. So that option is out now. I am scheduled to take tamoxifin for 5 yrs once all that is done. I feel like that is a pretty good treatment. I know everyone is different and must make up their own minds. With her2+, which I don't know enough about yet, is there other meds my oncologist didn't think to offer?

Robbin

Hi Robbin, welcome! You have come to the right place to ask all your questions!!!! You did not mention how old you are, menopause status-can make a difference when deciding between tamoxifen or an Aromatose Inhibitor (like arimidex).

HI,

I am 49 years old. I was still having a period before this all started but now, I am not.

I am having a hard time with this posting thing. Hopefully I'll get better. I posted a little different message because I didn't want that darn happy face at the beginning but, wasn't sure how to get it off. I not very good with computers.

Robbin,

I don't know what reaction you had to Herceptin, or how your doctor determined you were allergic to it. Herceptin can be prepared for infusion in one of two ways:

1) BWFI, USP, 1.1% benzyl alcohol preserved
2) For patients with known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol, Sterile Water for Injection

Perhaps you had an allergic reaction to the reconstitutive agent, and not the Herceptin itself? It may be worthwhile to ask your physician about it.

For information on Tamoxifen use in Her2+ patients, there is a good discussion in the current thread:http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...rid=1173<br />

Best of luck with your treatment plan,

Hopeful

Hopeful,

Thx for your reply. I was kinda puzzled too. He first said it was the Taxol but then when I had my second treatment of Herceptin, without the Taxol, he said the reaction time had to make it the Herceptin. Now that I've had my second Taxol, and no rash, I guess it had to be the Herceptin. Although, I was not looking forward to the yr of Herceptin, It was that little extra chance and now I don't get that.

I will mention what you recommended tho. Thx

Robbin

One more thing
 

Robbin,

I should have asked you first time around, but are you getting pre-meds for the Herceptin (i.e., Benadryl)?

Hopeful

I agree with Hopeful - make sure you are getting Benadryl when you get an infusion. I had a slight allergic reaction to my first Herceptin, too. They gave me Benadryl each time after that and no problems from that point forward, for 18 months of Herceptin.

I hope you will talk to your onc about what some of the women suggested -- different infusion, stronger premeds. I have asthma and allergies and I understand the concern about allergic reactions. But I think each Herceptin we take benefits us. You've had the benefit of one infusion. Maybe you can get in a few more. You can always try a second opinion.

I also began to develop an allergic reaction to Herceptin, so my doctor added decadron to my weekly herceptin treatments.

Just want to add that if you went to weekly lower dose of T & H and premeds, you may be able to handle it. Bev