how soon for 1st echo & tamoxifen ?

Hello everybody! I have had 8 weekly herceptin treatments. I continually worry about how and if it will affect my heart. So, my question is how soon did most of you get your first echo? Would getting one after just 8 treatments be too soon? My next question concerns tamoxifen-I'm 36 and borderline(11%) estrogen + and progesterone -. I wondering if tamoxifen is a good choice. I'm confused if whether or not it works well with herceptin and especially in my case when I'm only borderline positive. I appreciate any thoughts, advice or opinions. Thanks so much!

[Diane H]

Hi, I am on herceptin and I get an echo every three months. And I am doing fine with them, have had two with normal results. I am on the every three week dosing protocol which I like alot. Was also very confused about tamoxifen and herceptin, being pushed into menopause with chemo solved that for me, am taking femara instead. Hope someone has some info on the tamoxifen for you. Herceptin has been no problem for me so far.

I would guess you have already looked at it but there is an arimdex / tamoxifen post below which has some information and links on tamoxifen which might be a starting point on your quest for information.

RB

[Rupali]

I have similar presentation as u. I am on 3 weekly herceptin and get 3 monthly MUGA or ECHO.
Regarding tamoxifen my oncologist put me on that as he said that Tamoxifen is a gold standard and he would put me on that for 2 years and then move me to AI.

[Yorkiegirl]

I had an ech before I started my Herceptin, and just had my 2 Echo after 3 1/2 months. So far I'm doing good.

As for the tamoxifen I can't answer that as I am er- pr-.


Vicki

[snoopy]

Had an echo prior to starting herceptin - and repeated every three months (3weekly herpceptin started march 05). No problems with this. See the thread arimidex or tamoxifen- I'm waiting for an oophorectomy, I want an aromatase inhibitor when my herceptin finishes.


Good luck