Why????

dede10 · 03-08-2007, 05:19 PM

I have been dealing with this for 4 yrs this month and maybe someone can help me!

I had an MRI last Friday, and all was fine. My scans are clear, for the moment. (I feel like I've been on chemo more than not) I am on herceptin. My bp is running high, so my pcp put me on meds for that (I feel like a druggie!)) I continue to feel like yuck, with an underlying headache. I get so tired during the day, sometimes, and dizzy occassionally (I just started the bp meds for bp on Tues)

I just want to feel good! I have never been sick in my life, til 4 yrs ago. Is it the herceptin? Am I just falling apart??

Becky · 03-08-2007, 05:34 PM

Since you just started your bp med, take it for a couple of weeks. Your body may get used to it. If you don't, there are countless dozens of bp meds on the market. Ask your PCP to prescribe a different one and just make sure he doesn't pick one with the same side effects or one that works via the same biochemical pathway (or mechanism) as the first one so you don't feel crappy on it.

Herceptin does make you feel weird. Not gross weird but different. I got headaches on it. They were worse in the beginning (almost raging) but then hardly anything. Also, there is a thread that is going on now about bp and Herceptin. I should have contributed but didn't. My bp went up on Herceptin too. It was always high (once 164/100) when it is normally 110/75. Since stopping, it is back in the normal range for me. Since you have metastatic disease, you cannot stop but if you do and get switched to Tykerb, make sure that you watch to make sure your bp doesn't go too low if you are on bp meds since Tykerb may not have this side effect.

I do know that Avastin has the bp side effect too.

Hang in there. You are doing alot of things right to be a 4 year Stage 4 survivor. We are all rooting for you.

Big hug to you

Sheila · 03-08-2007, 07:22 PM

DeDe

I agree with Becky, give the B/P meds time to work and your body time to adjust to them...if you continue to feel dizzy after a couple weeks, you may need to change....if you are on a beta blocker for B/P like Toprol, you may feel like you are dragging...it slows everything down. My B/P is also beginning to rise after 3 1/2 years on Herceptin...for misbehaving nodes! I am hoping that you will feel better....it is bad enough to deal with the cancer without all the other problems that can come from it and the treatments!

rinaina · 03-08-2007, 09:29 PM

My ankles swelled terribly from herceptin. I had to go on a diuretic which helped. My bp also elevated and it was always on the low side in the past. I hear your frustration about feeling well. There are times when I wish I could go back to how I was pre bc but that isn't going to happen. I guess we have to do the best we can with what we got now. We really don't have a choice. Herceptin has so many potential positives that out weigh the negatives. According to many professionals, the side effects we are feeling are not due to the herceptin but I would beg to differ. How could we all have these side effects and it not be from the herceptin. I just think that at this point they don't know everything yet about side effects with these new targeted therapies,, herceptin and tykerb included. My onc and surgeon, who are both active in the latest research and studies, say that there is still much to learn about tykerb before they would prescribe it and there is still much to learn as for it's proper place for treatment. Hang in there, think positive and thank G-d for everyday he gives you.

Carol Carlson · 03-09-2007, 03:44 PM

It well may be the bp med. They can cause some pretty weird side effects. Also, I agree with one of the postings that state that the jury is still out re:side effects of herceptin. WE, the folks that are receiving it are the best judge of what happens to us when on it. I feel that the medical experts don't really understand the full impact of this drug, however wonderful it is. And I am happy to have been able to receive it.

The side effects I had were very similar to others that have been on it.
So, hang in there. You've done so well to be where you are.
Take care and God bless.
Carol

Sherryg683 · 03-10-2007, 12:31 AM

I can relate, I just don't feel the same anymore. I've been NED since April and on only Herceptin. But I'm just not me anymore. It seems to be one thing after another. I've been battling shingle pains for over a month and finally started feeling good enough to go play a tennis match wednesday. I wake up today....the freakin shingles are back. I'm like you..is there a feel good pill I can take..sherryg683

MGordon · 03-10-2007, 12:57 AM

Not going to state any platitudes here...

Just know this - you really are stronger than you know! When Lisa started feeling this way, we snuggled - for AS LONG AS IT TOOK! Hope I can say this BUT it is now HUBBY TIME!!! Time for other members of your healing team to step to the plate - he really want to ya know! Tell him you need him and the two of you spend some YOU time. Sleep/Snuggle/Laugh/Cry/Talk/Bond...HEAL.

Love and light
Mel