navelbine/herceptin/zometa

Hello ladies!

My Mom started her weekly navelbine and herceptin last week. All summer she'd been on herceptin only and was having some nagging pain between her breasts and in her upper arm. She had all the scans done and nothing showed up in either place. After last weeks navelbine/herceptin/zometa infusion, the pain in her chest immediately subsided but the pain in her arm is worse and almost unbearable. She does not have a port and this arm is the one that had the iv. I was just wondering if any of you have had severe arm pain from any of these drugs?? She also says there's a knot there but neither of her oncologists think it's cancer related. Any ideas how to relieve the pain? She took a pain pill yesterday that made her feel awful. It's so hard for her to keep her spirits up when she's in so much pain. Any suggestions or ideas??

Thank you so much,
Brittany

I have been on this combo for 14 weeks. The first 2 treatments
I had no port and with the IV in my hand I had terrible pain in my
wrist and arm from the navelbine. The nurses said the drug is
very strong, causes pain at infusion site, and I would need a port.
I had a port inserted and have not had the problem since.

Beth

Yes, I rec'd two infusions of Navelbine about 1 year ago (I was on Navelbine and Herceptin for about 3 months then). It caused severe pain in the infusion arm. I HAD to get a port, before my veins were severely damaged.

Navelbine is known for it's toughness on a person's veins. I stongly suggest a port be inserted. I resisted having a port for 2 years, but it's been wonderful and I have had NO problems with it.

God Bless.

I highly recommend a port too. It makes such a tremendous difference and makes it all so much easier and more comfortable. Having one put is simple. Mine has been in a year and I can't imagine even doing herceptin without it. I had one in with navelbine and had no pain at all. Hugs, Tricia

Ports are good. Linda has had hers in just less than 3 years (has it been that long??), still no problems.
Al