HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Herceptin reaction -10 days hospital?

03-08-2006, 11:51 AM

Hi Sherry, Thanks for your reply. From your post I understand its ok to do the Herceptin without benadryl. It would make more sense that it would be needed when I have the Carb, Taxo, Herceptin. I just started wondering and trying to think this through because I was SO THRILLED that I got through my first two infusion with no problems. Even my infusion nurse said I got a A+. She was excited for me. The first week I felt a little tired...didn't want to eat...but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The second week I went in for the Herceptin alone was GREAT compared to the first week. With JUST the Herceptin....I had a REALLY NICE week in comparison.

Only felt a tab bit tired the first day of that infusion of herceptin. Then the entire rest of that week...I was up and able to clean house, feed dogs and all my normal stuff. No aches or pains. So now mentally after making it through my first two weeks...I was thinking really positive that I CAN do this.

Then I had to have THIS problem crop up.

I don't like the idea that they say they aren't sure what caused this? They did enough tests that they should have a idea. What bothers me is my oncologist said if its a reaction to the herceptin....we will have to use something else. As most of you Her2/neu women know....Herceptin is about the only thing that will work for someone in our position. (Or that is the way I understand it and have been told?) I could be wrong. I was banking on the herceptin as my treatment. I don't know what he could change it too....or if that will happen because I am STILL having trouble breathing. I don't know what damage was done.

Thanks for letting me know about low wbc. So I see its ok to have a herceptin infusion even if its low. That would make more sense as I am sure its the other drugs that are worse on you when your wbc is down. I know that Taxotere is nasty stuff. That is where I must of got confused...I heard they don't do infusions if your wbc is low. But they must of meant when you are having a FULL chemo verses just the herceptin.

I just wish they could figure out with 100 % what caused this? I DON'T want to believe its the herceptin because I did it twice before then and NO problems. But I do know there is an acculmative affect of anything. But I don't want them taking my herceptin away unless they know for sure.

I am frustrated...I am just sitting here on hold. My oncologist said we had no time to wait with me...we had to be aggressive. Now I have already missed two weeks of infusions.

Thanks again for your post Sherry.

03-08-2006, 11:51 AM	#4
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Sherry, Thanks for your reply. From your post I understand its ok to do the Herceptin without benadryl. It would make more sense that it would be needed when I have the Carb, Taxo, Herceptin. I just started wondering and trying to think this through because I was SO THRILLED that I got through my first two infusion with no problems. Even my infusion nurse said I got a A+. She was excited for me. The first week I felt a little tired...didn't want to eat...but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The second week I went in for the Herceptin alone was GREAT compared to the first week. With JUST the Herceptin....I had a REALLY NICE week in comparison. Only felt a tab bit tired the first day of that infusion of herceptin. Then the entire rest of that week...I was up and able to clean house, feed dogs and all my normal stuff. No aches or pains. So now mentally after making it through my first two weeks...I was thinking really positive that I CAN do this. Then I had to have THIS problem crop up. I don't like the idea that they say they aren't sure what caused this? They did enough tests that they should have a idea. What bothers me is my oncologist said if its a reaction to the herceptin....we will have to use something else. As most of you Her2/neu women know....Herceptin is about the only thing that will work for someone in our position. (Or that is the way I understand it and have been told?) I could be wrong. I was banking on the herceptin as my treatment. I don't know what he could change it too....or if that will happen because I am STILL having trouble breathing. I don't know what damage was done. Thanks for letting me know about low wbc. So I see its ok to have a herceptin infusion even if its low. That would make more sense as I am sure its the other drugs that are worse on you when your wbc is down. I know that Taxotere is nasty stuff. That is where I must of got confused...I heard they don't do infusions if your wbc is low. But they must of meant when you are having a FULL chemo verses just the herceptin. I just wish they could figure out with 100 % what caused this? I DON'T want to believe its the herceptin because I did it twice before then and NO problems. But I do know there is an acculmative affect of anything. But I don't want them taking my herceptin away unless they know for sure. I am frustrated...I am just sitting here on hold. My oncologist said we had no time to wait with me...we had to be aggressive. Now I have already missed two weeks of infusions. Thanks again for your post Sherry.