HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Herceptin

Becky · 11-02-2009, 09:42 AM

Also remember that chemo puts many of us in a menopausal twilight (sometimes permanent and sometimes now but definitely reduces ovarian activity and estrogen) and some ER+ women are also on drugs for that.

That said, a major side effect of menopause and waning estrogen is bladder infections. The bladder and vagina have millions of tons of ER receptors and need estrogen for the cells to become mature. Immature cells = bladder wall weakness and vaginal atrophy.

This is probably the cause for bladder issues more than herceptin itself.

11-02-2009, 09:42 AM	#14
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Herceptin - Bladder and/or sleep changes? Also remember that chemo puts many of us in a menopausal twilight (sometimes permanent and sometimes now but definitely reduces ovarian activity and estrogen) and some ER+ women are also on drugs for that. That said, a major side effect of menopause and waning estrogen is bladder infections. The bladder and vagina have millions of tons of ER receptors and need estrogen for the cells to become mature. Immature cells = bladder wall weakness and vaginal atrophy. This is probably the cause for bladder issues more than herceptin itself. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"