herceptin wkly vs q 3wks?

mts · 12-19-2007, 09:49 AM

I went every two weeks...

Maria

mimiflower07 · 12-19-2007, 09:57 AM

i was just wondering if i recieved herceptin weekly at a slower infusion rate would this aid in protecting the heart slightly.
thanks for the quick replies
suzanne

caya · 12-19-2007, 10:55 AM

suzanne-

I believe there was a post last week that slowing down the infusion time from 30 minutes to 45 minutes has been recommended to have less heart damage potential.

I have been doing my every 3 week Herceptin in 60 minutes, as I was having severe nausea the first couple of times at 30 minutes. I have been fine, and now it seems the slower infusion time will be beneficial for the ticker as well.

all the best
caya

PinkGirl · 12-19-2007, 11:00 AM

Hi,
I had weekly herceptin while I was on Taxol - so that would
have been once/week for 12 weeks. My onc said it was to
see how I tolerated it. Then I had a muga that was OK and
he switched me to once every three weeks (for convenience
I assumed). I know I received increased amounts toward
the end of the treatments because my weight had increased
significantly

Hope this helps somewhat.

PinkGirl · 12-19-2007, 12:56 PM

Does anyone know this for sure? Is getting the treatment
weekly easier on the heart? I honestly thought that my
treatments were changed to every 3 weeks because I was
finished with the Taxol and it was more convenient for me.

Cannon · 12-19-2007, 02:06 PM

As far as I know, there are not any studies on Herceptin weekly vs. every three weeks, either for effectiveness or side effects.

tousled1 · 12-19-2007, 05:27 PM

I don't think that there is any difference in weekly vs 3 every three weeks. The three week schedule is just more convenient for some.

pffida · 12-20-2007, 07:11 AM

While taking herceptin every three weeks, I developed cardiomyopathy. Symptoms were an unproductive cough that kept me up at night, plus my pulse was generally in the 100-120 range. After many tests (CT scan which showed a small nodule in lung lining, echocardiogram, PET to research the lung nodule, stress test), the oncologist pointed the problem to herceptin. My ejection fraction was 45-50%.

So, I was off herceptin for a month, visiting the cardiologist. My BP medicine was changed from Lisinopril (may cause coughing) to Toprol (which does a better job at reducing pulse). After a month off, I'm back on Herceptin weekly, as the oncologist felt I would tolerate the lower dose. After two months of weekly Herceptin treatments, I'm having no side effects. Pulse is down to normal -- I saw the cardiologist yesterday and he's pleased with my progress.

Weeklly treatments are a pain, but the sacrifice is worth it for the hope that Herceptin gives.

If you don't have any side effects of the Herceptin, I'd sure go for the treatments every three weeks. If heart problems start, discuss weekly treatments with your oncologist. I also had AC, so that probably contributed to the heart problems.

suzan w · 12-20-2007, 11:40 AM

mine was every 3 weeks, infusion time 90 min. My oncologist said that the dosage over the year was the same...triple strength every 3 weeks vs weekly at a lesser strength. I think that as more and more of us finish our Herceptin courses that the statistics will become clearer. As an early stager who got herceptin I feel like I am on the cutting edge of the "new wave" of treatments for breast cancer. The statistics are catching up with us!!!

Erin · 12-20-2007, 12:20 PM

I started Herceptin every three weeks with my Taxotere and Carbo. But after they were done, and I still was having a lot of joint pain, I switched to Herceptin every week, infused at 45 minutes. The joint pain improved significantly doing the weekly treatment.

Last week I switched infusion centers and the new center ran my first Herceptin at that location for 30 minutes. I absolutely felt the difference - much more achy and out of sorts on the infusion day. I am asking them to go back to the 45 minute infusion from now on.

Hope that helps.