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StephN · 10-31-2005, 08:23 PM

Dear JP -
In the above post I said NO flu-like feelings - that I felt just fine. Sometimes the operative word is missed in a wordy post. Maybe I should be more brief, but I wanted to say that even with the addition of Taxol and Navelbine at the same time as my loading dose of Herceptin I did not have those symptoms.
It was not until I was metastatic that I was able to get Herceptin. Be glad you can get it now, as it could save you some difficult days down the road!

The drug that gave me the flu-like symptoms was Taxotere. That one was hard on me and does not seem to have stopped my cancer advancing.

I have never had an allergic reaction to Herceptin or any of the other cancer drugs I have taken. But I DO have other kinds of allergies that pester me for which I take Allegra to keep under control. My point is that perhaps since I am always "on" allergy pills, maybe this keeps me from having any of the reactions or even running nose that others experience with Herceptin.

I really hope you continue to feel well on this drug, as it is really easy to tolerate compared to the rest we have had.

About the port. Since I felt it was very possible I would need mine for a long time, I had it put in lower down, but I also did not have a mastectomy so there was a lot of room to place it for maximum comfort. I also wanted to avoid the seat belt rubbing or pushing on it when I am driving. Port is on my left side.

As you aptly say - another battle scar!

Also Sandy H who posted had to stop her radiotherapy early due to problems. If you have any questions about this, she can help you.

10-31-2005, 08:23 PM	#11
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Read my post again pls. Dear JP - In the above post I said NO flu-like feelings - that I felt just fine. Sometimes the operative word is missed in a wordy post. Maybe I should be more brief, but I wanted to say that even with the addition of Taxol and Navelbine at the same time as my loading dose of Herceptin I did not have those symptoms. It was not until I was metastatic that I was able to get Herceptin. Be glad you can get it now, as it could save you some difficult days down the road! The drug that gave me the flu-like symptoms was Taxotere. That one was hard on me and does not seem to have stopped my cancer advancing. I have never had an allergic reaction to Herceptin or any of the other cancer drugs I have taken. But I DO have other kinds of allergies that pester me for which I take Allegra to keep under control. My point is that perhaps since I am always "on" allergy pills, maybe this keeps me from having any of the reactions or even running nose that others experience with Herceptin. I really hope you continue to feel well on this drug, as it is really easy to tolerate compared to the rest we have had. About the port. Since I felt it was very possible I would need mine for a long time, I had it put in lower down, but I also did not have a mastectomy so there was a lot of room to place it for maximum comfort. I also wanted to avoid the seat belt rubbing or pushing on it when I am driving. Port is on my left side. As you aptly say - another battle scar! Also Sandy H who posted had to stop her radiotherapy early due to problems. If you have any questions about this, she can help you.