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Andrea Barnett Budin · 04-04-2014, 03:24 PM

I was on Herceptin for -- 10 yrs.

The drippy eyes came w/the Taxotere. Severely dry eyes, meaning use preservative free saline drops (I use Bausch & Lomb Soothe individual vials)!

I was told by ophthalmologist #5 to use drops EVERY HOUR all day. I did this for 2 wks and began improving. I now use first thing in the AM and last thing at night.

Also I take LUTEIN 20 mg w/1 mg of Zeathin daily.

I get all my supplements from Vitacost.com

This anti-oxidant helps the eyes remain healthy and -- stops the tearing which occasionally was returning for days on end. I was scheduled for surgery as ophthalmologist couldn't get into tear ducts. Too clogged, needed a specialist.

I took the Lutein and -- the tearing has stopped. I canceled the surgery.

Yes swelling, puffiness, face, feet, even calves from Vitamin H. And fatigue, but I have always had a fatigue issue.

EF went from 65% to 50% on H, as others have mentioned. I get regular ECHO cardiograms to check on my heart.

Nutritional oncologist recommended DR. BEST ARGENINE (500 mg X 2 on an empty stomach (I do first thing in the AM). Sustained plus immediate release. I'm back up to 65%.

They told me if I dropped below 50% they would have to stop the H. And I believed, it was essential to my survival. Hence I stayed on from '98 - '08. Been off for almost 6 yrs.

I take hydrochlorothiazide 20 mg for my blood pressure, in addition to other bp meds and it helps the puffiness, but when I look at pix from those yrs on H, I have moon face. Still, worth it all. Still did makeup, wig and earrings... Makes me feel better.

Wishing you much good fortune, my Sister!
ANDI

04-04-2014, 03:24 PM	#10
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Re: Herceptin question I was on Herceptin for -- 10 yrs. The drippy eyes came w/the Taxotere. Severely dry eyes, meaning use preservative free saline drops (I use Bausch & Lomb Soothe individual vials)! I was told by ophthalmologist #5 to use drops EVERY HOUR all day. I did this for 2 wks and began improving. I now use first thing in the AM and last thing at night. Also I take LUTEIN 20 mg w/1 mg of Zeathin daily. I get all my supplements from Vitacost.com This anti-oxidant helps the eyes remain healthy and -- stops the tearing which occasionally was returning for days on end. I was scheduled for surgery as ophthalmologist couldn't get into tear ducts. Too clogged, needed a specialist. I took the Lutein and -- the tearing has stopped. I canceled the surgery. Yes swelling, puffiness, face, feet, even calves from Vitamin H. And fatigue, but I have always had a fatigue issue. EF went from 65% to 50% on H, as others have mentioned. I get regular ECHO cardiograms to check on my heart. Nutritional oncologist recommended DR. BEST ARGENINE (500 mg X 2 on an empty stomach (I do first thing in the AM). Sustained plus immediate release. I'm back up to 65%. They told me if I dropped below 50% they would have to stop the H. And I believed, it was essential to my survival. Hence I stayed on from '98 - '08. Been off for almost 6 yrs. I take hydrochlorothiazide 20 mg for my blood pressure, in addition to other bp meds and it helps the puffiness, but when I look at pix from those yrs on H, I have moon face. Still, worth it all. Still did makeup, wig and earrings... Makes me feel better. Wishing you much good fortune, my Sister! ANDI __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...