HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Why do I have to fight for Benedryl?! (Warning, vent!)

Chelee · 12-23-2009, 01:19 AM

I had no idea that Pepcid is also a H2 histamine receptor antagonist. I thought it was just another load of crap my onc was telling me. She will say anything to talk me out of what I want. So I guess I have to give her this one for a change.

I HATE taking benadryl too...but my first yr of taking herceptin my onc decided I didn't need it which I was happy about. But I had breathing problems and tightness in my chest without it. Scared me to death. So that's why I've been afraid not to have it before my herceptin infusion.

This so called driving rule is a joke. I did a full yr of herceptin the first yr on a weekly basis and drove home each time with no problems. I'm only 12 minutes away...peace of cake.

It has to have something to do with the cost! Or they wouldn't tell me to go buy my own benadryl and take it before I get there. We all know benadryl via IV is going to work quicker and better then taking a pill. They wouldn't be putting up such a big fuss for no reason...it's got to be the money factor. Plus I know it adds a hr to my infusion when i get benadryl. That might be part of it? (Since it was too late to give me the benadryl Monday...I was FINE today...so maybe I can do without it.)

Brenda, I have to ask...why did they give you Benadryl via IV push? I've never heard of it done that way. Your experience sounds scary! What a nightmare.

Chelee

12-23-2009, 01:19 AM	#10
Chelee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 2,511	Re: Why do I have to fight for Benedryl?! (Warning, vent!) I had no idea that Pepcid is also a H2 histamine receptor antagonist. I thought it was just another load of crap my onc was telling me. She will say anything to talk me out of what I want. So I guess I have to give her this one for a change. I HATE taking benadryl too...but my first yr of taking herceptin my onc decided I didn't need it which I was happy about. But I had breathing problems and tightness in my chest without it. Scared me to death. So that's why I've been afraid not to have it before my herceptin infusion. This so called driving rule is a joke. I did a full yr of herceptin the first yr on a weekly basis and drove home each time with no problems. I'm only 12 minutes away...peace of cake. It has to have something to do with the cost! Or they wouldn't tell me to go buy my own benadryl and take it before I get there. We all know benadryl via IV is going to work quicker and better then taking a pill. They wouldn't be putting up such a big fuss for no reason...it's got to be the money factor. Plus I know it adds a hr to my infusion when i get benadryl. That might be part of it? (Since it was too late to give me the benadryl Monday...I was FINE today...so maybe I can do without it.) Brenda, I have to ask...why did they give you Benadryl via IV push? I've never heard of it done that way. Your experience sounds scary! What a nightmare. Chelee __________________ DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes. Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs. Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06 Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07 3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07 9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV. 9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa 9-29-09 Power Port Placement 10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head. 11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed 12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa. 3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed. 4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone. 5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy. Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time. 7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.