Vacation from Herceptin?

tousled1 · 08-28-2006, 05:56 AM

Has anyone taken a vacation from Herceptin?

I'm on weekly Herceptin and am thinking of going off Herceptin for about 3 months. I've been experiencing a lot of side effects and feel that my body is just crying out for a break. Just wanted to know if anyone else has taken a voluntary break from Herceptin. Any replies would be appreciated.

mts · 08-28-2006, 06:54 AM

What Stage are you? Doesn't that dictate the need/length of Herceptin?

I'm Stage I. During my treatments, I did take a month off... like you, I was just plain tired!

I had started treatments every 3 weeks, but after 6 months or so, I was getting nausea and an overall yuk feeling. I then went on weekly and then every 2 weeks and finally back to every week because the larger dose just kept making me feel terrible.
I went off herceptin for about a month and it felt great. When I returned to treatment, I did it weekly until completion at end July. This was so much better.
I really was to worried to get off the Herceptin for any longer (that security blanket thing) than a month, but evident by other ladies undergoing Herceptin, there are those who have discontinued tx and done well.
I know the side effects are really bothersome... to the point that we are somewhat debilitated by them. No one knows your body like you- but if you think about it, no hard data is available to emphasize length of treatment in early stage...and because of that, my fear of getting off the herceptin completely overshadowed my side effects. I finally finished in July and in hind-sight, I'm glad I stuck with it.

Maria

mts · 08-28-2006, 07:05 AM

I just read you are Stage II and realized that you also just finished chemo... No wonder you want a vacation from Herceptin!
We all talk about QOL and this perhaps may be time for you to assess your options. We all know that kicking cancer in the rump while its down (especially after chemo) is the best way to rid oneself of the disease... and Herceptin helps that process.
If all Stage I's were told it was OK to get Herceptin up to 1 year after chemo, I can't imagine that a 3 month hiatus between treatments would make a huge difference either.
Obviously this is something that you will want to discuss with your onc.

Hang in there!

Maria

tousled1 · 08-28-2006, 07:48 AM

Maria,

Actually I'm Stage III. I have my appointment this Thursday for my Herceptin and am going to speak to the oncologist about taking some time off. I will have had 11 weeks of Herceptin and I know that there are studies now evaluating 9 weeks of Herceptin vs 1 year. I don't think anyone knows yet how much or how long we should be on Herceptin. I finish radiation next Friday.

Since my diagnosis it seems like I've been a hamster on a wheel. Time for me to get off the wheel and stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

Cathya · 08-28-2006, 08:50 AM

Kate;

I'm also stage 3c and off herceptin (non voluntarily) for the past 4 months. I just went for a Serum Her2 test and will let you know the results...perhaps if I have remained (assuming I was) "normal" that will be an indication that herceptin hangs around in our systems. Certainly my nails are still soft!

Cathy

tousled1 · 08-28-2006, 09:40 AM

Cathy,

I would be interested in the results of your HER2 serum test. I asked my onc about it last week and she said she didn't know how to go about getting it done. My last tumor marker was at 15 which is considered normal. Interestingly, since my diagnosis and all through my treatments my nails have been growing and are stronger than they ever have been. I used to have very soft brittle nails and now they are strong -- get manicures which I never could do before. Go figure! I guess these drugs affect each and every one of us differently.