[belle]

My mom has been on TDM1 since end of February after progression on Herceptin that followed Taxol+Herceptin. Her bc is HER2 pos, mets to lungs, bones and lymphnodes (supraclavicular, on the neck, axilla).

We don't know if it is a side effect or the lymphnode mets on her sternum are pressing her esophagus, but she has been having trouble swallowing all the time since the treatment began. It has gotten worse lately. Even cream soup, jogurt or water go through very hard. Also excessive salivation, thick like a glue.

Doctors kept saying it must be mets in lymphnodes pressing the esophagus or side effects, wanted to wait and see. But when it's gotten worse we asked if it could be GERD. At our last visit the doctor clarified more symptoms and prescribed Pantroprazol. She said if it doesn't get better, we need to come to the emergency room, so that they can do more checkups, possibly endoscopy.

We took the Pantroprazol for more than a week, salivation got less, but swallowing is still not good. Mom sais it feels like there is a small hole left for swallowing behind the sternum area where the enlarged lymphnodes are.

Mom is more tired than before, lost a lot of weight - because of not eating or the treatment is not working, we don't know... We are going to the doctor this week.

Anyone had an experience with trouble swallowing while taking TDM1? I would appreciate your input.

Hugs,
belle