HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Gemzar

Sheila · 09-09-2011, 05:08 AM

Laurie
I just started on my 3rd round of Gemzar...I do three weeks on and a week off per round. I am also getting Herceptin on the first and 3rd weeks. After this series of three, I will get scanned, again. So far the skin mets and neck nodes have shrunk to almost nothing. As far as side effects, it does a number on my blood counts, so they reduced the dose a little so I wouldn't have to skip doses. They do give me Zofran IV push with treatment , but I had them cut the dose in half and I have not had a problem. No hair loss so far, which is a plus. I did run a fever after the 3rd treatment in round 2, but might have been a coincidence. Seems that I am a little more tired, but that could be that my hemoglobin is lower....everyone tells me I look so healthy....is this the beauty secret or is it just the makeup?
Hoping Gemzar does the trick for you....I have been through a lot of chemos, they only seem to work a while, then I need a change. I also had a great response with Eribulen (Halaven) which is fairly new....it might be something to try if the Gemzar isnt the magic potion.
Hoping you are feeling great today after treatment #1!!!

09-09-2011, 05:08 AM	#4
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Re: Gemzar - side effects and response rates? Laurie I just started on my 3rd round of Gemzar...I do three weeks on and a week off per round. I am also getting Herceptin on the first and 3rd weeks. After this series of three, I will get scanned, again. So far the skin mets and neck nodes have shrunk to almost nothing. As far as side effects, it does a number on my blood counts, so they reduced the dose a little so I wouldn't have to skip doses. They do give me Zofran IV push with treatment , but I had them cut the dose in half and I have not had a problem. No hair loss so far, which is a plus. I did run a fever after the 3rd treatment in round 2, but might have been a coincidence. Seems that I am a little more tired, but that could be that my hemoglobin is lower....everyone tells me I look so healthy....is this the beauty secret or is it just the makeup? Hoping Gemzar does the trick for you....I have been through a lot of chemos, they only seem to work a while, then I need a change. I also had a great response with Eribulen (Halaven) which is fairly new....it might be something to try if the Gemzar isnt the magic potion. Hoping you are feeling great today after treatment #1!!! __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin