Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!

Emelie · 01-26-2007, 08:04 AM

Lani,
Started Herceptin 1/10/07 as AC was not shrinking tomur. First round was OK. Second round with Taxotere had severe rib pain, hurt to breath and headaches.
Had 3rd dose yesterday and had headache waking up. I started with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia when I started AC, so can not say that Herceptin is culprit, but none of these side effects have gotten better.
Let me know if I can help with responses. On leave from work right now and glad to help.
Emelie

darra · 01-26-2007, 09:47 AM

Hi
I am a sometime reader, first time poster. I finished my year Herceptin Jan. 8 and thankfully I can't say I experienced any horrible side effects. I definitely feel that my vision is worsening, I can be forgetful and am achy and stiff quite a bit. Ofh yeah, my previous long and strong fingernails are ridged and tear easily.

My question though is to those who have been off Herceptin for sometime....do your side effects go away as the drug wears off or are these permanent? All in all I am so thankful for this drug that will hopefully mean I never have to deal with BC again.
Thanks to all of you for your insight and wisdom, you have certainly helped me through this nightmare.
Darra
dx 10/05
t=1.2 cm, 2/12 ln +
her2 +
12/05-04/06 4AC + 12 T+H
05/06 35 rads
But I am so much more than my diagnosis!!!
Glad to be getting my life back!!!!

Andi · 01-26-2007, 10:04 AM

I had crusty nose, achy ankles when I first got up from laying down and the thin ridged nails. I took my last herceptin (my 1 year) September 13th. The nose cleared up and my aches went away, but my nails continue to be a problem. Due to a recurrence, I started herceptin again Jan 4 and the achy ankles are starting to come back, my nose isn't too bad yet.

Susan McQ · 01-26-2007, 07:08 PM

I was stage 2 er/pr neg and her2 +++. I did neoadjuvant chemo 4 AC's every 3 weeks, then 12 weekly Taxol + Herceptin. Completed Taxol in August of '06. I am continuing weekly herceptin, for a total of 1 year, just completed #33. All of my Muga scans have been great. I briefly stopped herceptin for 3 weeks after I had my lumpectomy in mid August.

Minimal side effects - dry skin - cracks on fingers, some vision changes. I don't have any other side that can't also be contributed to chemo.

Susan