Herceptin and fatigue
 

Hi!
Have had four treatments of herceptin and am struggling with fatigue. Has anybody else had this problem?



Diagnosed feb 2010. DCIS(2CM) IDC(0.5CM). Node negative, ER+, PR- HER2+. Had 5 X FEC and am currently on tamoxifen and herceptin

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Good Morning. I was on Herceptin for 5 years and I too suffered from fatigue. I am off it for 3 years and I guess my body was so used to being fatigued that I still am. However......it saved my life so I deal with it and am happy to be alive..[and tired]. Mary L

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Hello,
Yes I suffered from fatigue though less than when I was on Taxol as well. I was on it for 6 years, now off it and still haven't found my old energy but better here than elsewhere! I also wish I'd lose the weight I gained. Avoid thinking of the every 3 week routine as a drag but as a wonderful gift of life and see it in a positive light, I found it helps.
stay well
sarah

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Emma - I'm doing Herceptin every 3 weeks til the end of May 2011. I feel sort of like I have the flu for the first few days after the treatments but after that not as much. I just finished 33 radiation treatments and am having more fatigue but I think its more the rads than the Herceptin. I have found that if I try to get even 15 minutes of mild/moderate exercise a day (walking, stretching exercises) then my energy is much better. Some days I just don't feel like it, so I don't. Treat yourself well - try not to stress - it's exhausting.

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

why don't you look under the Herceptin/Tykerb forum. I started a thread on list of side effects of herceptin, real or imagined five years ago and it contains a wealth of information. Feel free to peruse it.

I hope it substitutes for the drug companies' lack of enthusiasm/effort in doing the post-marketing data gathering they are required by law to do, but which doesn't seem to be pursued with much vigor.

It is hard to say what symptoms are delayed symptoms from chemo, symptoms of artificial near-instant menopause, delayed effects of radiation (as most side effects of radiation are delayed), effects of poor sleep and/or anxiety vs true herceptin side-effects, but if we don't try to collect them, how will anyone ever figure it out (as much as it can be figured out)

Good reading!

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

I believe this is the link Lani mentioned. It really is full of alot of good information on Herceptin and it's SE's from so many of our members. Read through it and add any of your SE's.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23696&highlight=herceptin+side+af fects+real

I find I'm more fatigued the first few days after Herceptin also. It seems to be one of the more common complains.

Chelee

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Emma,

I had my Herceptin infusions on Thursdays, and I was exhausted for that first weekend. Major fatigue in general while I was on Herceptin.

totally normal s/e.

all the best
caya

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Just finished my first round of chemo (t/c) and herceptin. 48 hrs later my bones hurt and fatigue set in. last 3 days. This is the first day I feel normal again. Is this what I should expect each time? 1 ever 3 weeks, 6 cycles and then radiation 33 rounds and herceptin all 2011..

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Hi:

Am nearing the end of two years on Herceptin (once every three weeks). I also have experienced fatigue while on Herceptin. It starts during the infusion and lasts about 36-48 hours. I just hybernate for two days and then rejoin the race. Haven't told my onc for fear they'll want to take me off the drug.

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

That's exactly what I had experienced in 2007. I had infusion on Thursday afternoon (usually fell asleep in the infusion chair.) Was able to go to work on Friday. Then I would sleep through Saturday and Sunday - 'so' fatigued...

Re: Herceptin and fatigue
 

Cancer = lifetime fatigue. It's a tiring disease. :-) One PROVEN remedy to fatigue is to walk for 20 - 30 minutes everyday. Exercise really does help! I got a dog last year to force me to walk everyday. Read Lani's post. It's worth it. I've been complaining about being tired for 14 years. I hope to continue complaining for at least another 14 years!!