Herceptin 'challenge' Christmas Eve!??

PinkGirl · 12-21-2007, 02:38 PM

Hi Hermiracles
I'm going to check with Andi about how she
gets her herceptin. I remember she posted
once about having it mixed differently. I'll
find out, maybe it's something you can ask
about.

Good luck with the treatment. Sounds like the
pre-meds and slower infusion is a good thing to
try.

You know you can always post more pictures of those
babies - we all love seeing them.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-21-2007, 03:05 PM

Pink has sent me in to help. Glad if my experience can be of benefit.

I began Herceptin in Nov '98!! -- wkly, as it was hot out of clinical trials and fast-tracked by the FDA for us *needy* ones. 4th stage metastatic -- Vit H has saved my life. I stayed w/the wkly dosage given over 30 min... And then...

In 2000 my onc told me studies had been done in France and I could switch to the ev 3 wk plan. I was leary. Tempting though it was not to go ev single wk! Why fix what isn't broken?, and will those who do new regimen survive?? I told my marvelous onc MJ, Let's have this discussion in a yr. A yr later, I was assured that follow up studies showed no change in efficacy of H given the *new* way.

I began w/a loading dosage of 4X single dosage over 2 hrs. Gradually, infusion time was reduced. 1 1/2 hrs. 1 hr. Then, 30 min. I am fine w/this, as is my body. It is a party, ev 3 wks and in and out in an hr overall, when I don't have an onc visit that is.

WE ARE EACH DIFFERENT. OUR BODIES REACT DIFFERENTLY TO THE SAME DRUGS. I AM PRAYING YOUR BODY, HERMI (IF I MAY CALL YOU THAT FOR SHORT) WILL CATCH ON AND ADJUST, ESPECIALLY W/PREMEDS AND A SLOWER INFUSION FOR YOU.

I think it is important to mention -- I have my Herceptin in a 500 cc saline solution, vs the standard protocol of 250 cc (sometimes in benzol alcohol or whatever). This *pure* form -- and double saline
-- helps lessen side effects, I have learned!

I felt woozy and wobbly the one time a new pharmacist gave me a 250 cc bag. I questioned it right off but was assured it was according to standard protocol. However I found out -- my body said, Whoa... I like the other way better. So listen to your body, dear Hermi!

Hope this is helpful. And that antihistamines and whatever they give you will be better for you. Come to think of it, when I began H in Nov '98 I had been on Taxotere for 2 mnths and continued w/the two till the end of May '99. At that time (my beginning w/H) I was on Dexymethazone the day before and the day of, for the Taxotere. That is a steroid, and may have helped have less side effects with the H in addition to the Taxotere. Something to think, and/or ask about...

I don't know your protocol, you may already be given that. Will be thinking of you and praying for a great response.

Andi

hermiracles · 12-21-2007, 11:21 PM

Thanks Maryanne, Pinkgirl and Andi

Thats interesting what you say Andi about the Herceptin being given in 'benzol alcohol'?? I think of myself as a (sober) alcoholic (haven't had a drink in 19 years) so I' much rather have it in saline than alcohol! I will ask them on Monday when I go for my (slow!) infusion.

Thanks ladies ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Blessings
Hermi

PS Andi ~ love your new photo!

tousled1 · 12-22-2007, 07:47 AM

I want to clarify the reconstitution of Herceptin since I have mine reconstituted with sterile water. Because of this I must have my Herceptin every 3 weeks since they would have to discard the unused portion since they receivce the Herceptin powder in a 3 weeks dose. If you can get your insurance company to pay for the reconstitution with sterile water on a weely basis more power to you -- my insurance company wouldn't authorize it as it meant money going down the drain. I also recevie my Herceptin with a bag of saline water on the side.

This infomration is directly from the Boxed warning:

The doctor's office recives the Herceptin in powder form. Each vial of Herceptin should be reconstituted with 20 mL of BWFI, USP, 1.1% benzyl alcohol preserved, as supplied, to yield a multi‑dose solution containing 21 mg/mL Trastuzumab. The reconstituted preparation results in a colorless to pale yellow transparent solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulates and discoloration prior to administration. Reconstituted Herceptin must be discarded after 28 days.

Use of diluents other than BWFI should be avoided unless contraindicated. For patients with known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol, Herceptin must be reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection; discard any unused portion

I hope this information helps.