Talked to Genentech, herceptin weekly or 3 wks.

[Chelee]

I talked to a women from Genentech today. I explained that I can't get a clear answer about whats better when it comes to weekly or every 3 week dose of herceptin? I told her I have asked two onc doc's I have had...and if I PUSH them on this issue... they will say weekly is better...but they always follow up with...but every 3 weeks is fine too. I also added the the infusion nurses I talk to all PUSH us herceptin gals to do the 3 week dose...telling us that is just the same.

I told her I wanted to know which it is? Weekly, or every 3 weeks? She said all she can tell me is that Genentech says weekly. That herceptin is not FDA approved...and weekly is how they recommend I get it. She said if I perferred every 3 weeks...to sit down with my onc doc and have a discussion about it...and go from there. (I told her...been there...done that.) lol She said they CAN'T tell me anything else other then weekly.

She said they have done no studies on every three weeks...so again...they will ONLY tell you to get herceptin weekly.

I was impressed with how nice these people were and even offered to send me some information on herceptin...and asked if I had any other questions they could help me with. Also said to call back any time.

So since my cancer center is close...I will go back to weekly...even though it was NICE this one time to do the three week dose.

But I DID notice with the three week dose...I have had more of a headache...and my nose will NOT stop running. Plus I have been sneezing like crazy. I have NEVER in my life had this problem...so I know its the herceptin. Plus something else I found interesting...I have brusies all over? When I did the weekly...I never found any bruses? I don't know why the difference...but I had been doing WEEKLY since Feb. 06 and never had the brusing problem till the three week dose. Strange things you notice.

Chelee