Anyone get urinary tract infections from Herceptin?

Carolyns · 02-16-2007, 10:11 AM

Hi Ladies,

I am wondering if anyone has had this problem. I have had 2 since starting Herceptin a year ago. One in October and another now. I have read in the side effects of Herceptin that it is a rare side effect. I have also read that it is a rare side effect of Fasolodex, the other drug that I am taking. I didn't look up Zometa yet.

I know that I must drink extra water for about 3 days after my weekly infusion of Herceptin. Will go out and have pure cranberry juice on hand. Any other thoughts? PS - It is not due to my love life...or activity, if you know what I mean.

Thanks, Carolyn

Lani · 02-16-2007, 06:27 PM

and as estrogen is depleted. Having the estrogen receptors irreversibly fall of (get degraded)of the cells in your body (mechanism of action of faslodex)--OK for those which get replaced frequently, perhaps not for those which don't--whatever estrogen you might have can't act upon the cells eg, to make the urogenital epithelium more impervious to infection, as they have no receptors to partner with to cause the chemical cascade leading to the effect.

The list of sideeffects of herceptin has to include side effects even if only 1 in several thousand and even if it is uncertain that it directly related to the herceptin.

The likelihood it is due to the herceptin would seem to be less than the likelihood it is due to lack of estrogen function--but like so much else, it is unknown. Remember, until 1.5 years ago only tens of thousands of patients had been on herceptin and many of them not on it that long-term.

Here's to finding out more (you can toast that with your cranberry juice!)

Carolyns · 02-16-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks Lani.

That is what I was thinking but the PA didn't seem to agree.

Have a great weekend...I'll be toasting with cranberry as you say!

Carolyns

hutchibk · 02-19-2007, 12:27 AM

I have been on herceptin for 18 months.

The first 5 months I had herceptin in combo with carboplatinum and taxol. I experienced recurrent UTIs (4 of them) in that 5 month time span.

Then 6 months of herceptin by itself. I experienced no UTIs at all.

The last 7 months have been herceptin in combo with taxol only. I experienced one UTI a month for the first 5 months.

My Onc suspected that it was a combination of lack of estrogen, and a less than happy pH level due to the harshness of the chemo. He had put me on Estrace 2-3 times a week a long time ago, but with the UTIs he suggested me using it 4-5 times a week and making sure that I stay extra hydrated - lots of H2O. He also suggested that I see a urologist just to be sure and the urologist agreed wholeheartedly with my Onc's assessment. It has worked like a charm and I have had no more UTIs since the end of November.

Hope this helps. I honestly don't think it is the herceptin as much as it is
that we have no estrogen to help keep the urinary tract tissues as supple and healthy as they need to be and that in turn can affect the pH levels, which in turn can give the ugly bacteria a leg up to start wreaking havoc.

hutchibk · 02-19-2007, 12:57 AM

Oh yeah - and be extra sure to not hold your bladder AT ALL ever! If you need to go, find a toilet asap and go. It's pretty inconvenient when I am in the car, but I make a point of stopping. Especially within the immediate days after any kind of treatment.... that is one thing that the urologist really impressed upon me. Drink LOTS of water (and juice) and don't ever hold your bladder. It's my new mantra.

Carolyns · 02-19-2007, 07:31 AM

bhutchison, Thank you! Carolyns

Becky · 02-19-2007, 10:41 AM

I experienced UTIs starting after I had an oophorectomy (even though I was on Herceptin at the time). My Herceptin treatment is over and I still have bladder problems (enough that I have to take a small propholactic dose of antibiotics (one 100mg Macrobid tablet) daily). It is due to lack of estrogen (I am also on Arimidex). Lani is right in her advice on your case - degradation of the Estrogen receptor - no place for the estrogen to bind (at least its working - that's what I say about myself as well).

Hope you stay well - take cranberry tablets!!

Carolyns · 02-19-2007, 08:57 PM

Becky,

Thanks for the advise. I will have to look for the tablets.

Carolyns

jhandley · 02-20-2007, 11:40 PM

Hi Ithink I have one at the moment..it would explain the test strip result (+ for leucocytes). I alternate between cranberry and grape juice. I was dehydrated on the weekend which doesnt help. What pH should your urine be? does anyone know?
jackie