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Lolly · 01-18-2008, 10:05 PM

Hi Lida; I was on Abraxane with Tykerb for 4 months last year, and it worked well for 3 months but by the 4th month we had to change strategies again. However, I'm dealing with skin metastisis in the scar line and radiated tissue, and the chemo has a hard time getting to the cancer. It may work wonders for you, and certainly worth a try. I didn't experience too much in the way of side effects, a bit tired but my counts stayed steady. Had "Tykerb" rash and low grade fever but all in all very tolerable.
Insurance was a problem for me, as my ins. considered Tykerb a "specialty drug" and it was the highest tier of copay until I reached my max out-of-pocket, which took two months, then ins. paid all but 5%, so then it was ok. The fact that I was getting it with Abraxane instead of Xeloda wasn't an issue.
Good luck!

<3 Lolly

01-18-2008, 10:05 PM	#4
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Hi Lida; I was on Abraxane with Tykerb for 4 months last year, and it worked well for 3 months but by the 4th month we had to change strategies again. However, I'm dealing with skin metastisis in the scar line and radiated tissue, and the chemo has a hard time getting to the cancer. It may work wonders for you, and certainly worth a try. I didn't experience too much in the way of side effects, a bit tired but my counts stayed steady. Had "Tykerb" rash and low grade fever but all in all very tolerable. Insurance was a problem for me, as my ins. considered Tykerb a "specialty drug" and it was the highest tier of copay until I reached my max out-of-pocket, which took two months, then ins. paid all but 5%, so then it was ok. The fact that I was getting it with Abraxane instead of Xeloda wasn't an issue. Good luck! <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.