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Lolly · 05-18-2007, 09:28 PM

Hi Donna; I was on very low dose Xeloda for over a year (500mg 2x's daily), combined with my usual Herceptin, for my stubborn lymph nodes. I had a good, partial response and then remained stable for months with no side effects. We decided on the low dose as an initial "test" to see how I tolerated it, and then I loved not having side effects and was happy with stable, so we decided not to rock the boat by increasing the dose. As it was, it bought me valuable time until Tykerb was approved.
I would imagine since you're also fighting those "!#@!#%* liver spots, your onc will want to start you on a higher dose, but just wanted you to know it was very active against my problem lymph nodes.
Welcome to the group!

<3 Lolly

05-18-2007, 09:28 PM	#3
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Hi Donna; I was on very low dose Xeloda for over a year (500mg 2x's daily), combined with my usual Herceptin, for my stubborn lymph nodes. I had a good, partial response and then remained stable for months with no side effects. We decided on the low dose as an initial "test" to see how I tolerated it, and then I loved not having side effects and was happy with stable, so we decided not to rock the boat by increasing the dose. As it was, it bought me valuable time until Tykerb was approved. I would imagine since you're also fighting those "!#@!#%* liver spots, your onc will want to start you on a higher dose, but just wanted you to know it was very active against my problem lymph nodes. Welcome to the group! <3 Lolly __________________ Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation. Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.