Another Reaction?!
 

Hi Everybody,
Well, I had yet another heart racing reaction.... Back when I was doing chemo twice I had reactions during the premeds and we ended up blaming it on the Decadron. Well,this time there was no decadron involved, only Herceptin. It was about 25 min into the infusion and my heart rate went up to 130, it slowed a bit and then was at maybe 115 and then it came back down. They stopped the Herceptin gave me Benadryl and did an EKG and a muga, which all came back fine.
I have been getting Herceptin since May. First I was on a triple dose and then we went on weekly and just lately I wanted to be switched back to a triple dose to facilitate a trip we are going on. SO I had been off of Herceptin for about 1 month as we tried to get on schedule with the triple dose.
Anyway, has anybody ever experienced this? Any thoughts as to what might be going on? I'm thinking that maybe a whole year on Herceptin isn't necesssary considering my stage 2 grade 2 dx.
They want me to see a Heart group to make sure all is well.
Thanks everyone, its great to get advice from those who have "been there"
Blessings,Darlene

Re: Another Reaction?!
 

It is always a good idea to get a second opinion. In this case seeing the cardiac specialists.
Maybe they are administering the Herceptin too fast? Or you are reacting to some component of the IV? I have no idea. But I do think that discontinuing the Herceptin should be the very last resort!
Hoping you figure it out. Keep the faith.

Re: Another Reaction?!
 

Hi Darlene,

How long do they take to do the infusion ? Many people have 30 minute infusions, but I had mine slowed to 60 minutes. You could ask the nurses to try this, maybe even over 90 minutes, to see if a slower infusion helps the situation at all. I would see the Heart Group as well.

all the best
caya

Re: Another Reaction?!
 

They were infusing a triple dose over 60 min.Maybe slower would be the key. It is a bit faster than I was recieving it. I was getting a single dose over 30 min.
Thanks for replying!
Darlene

Re: Another Reaction?!
 

This has never happened to me. I do take a med for my heart because I had a drop in muga. It went up from the meds and I lost weight and it went up higer that before dx. Your scores will go up and down thought.

I think it is wise to go to a heart group.

I get my Herceptin every three weeks and it takes 90 minutes. They weigh me every time and know I get 500 units of however they measure it.

Hope this helps.

Blessings and hugs, I love your pictures, Alice