Herceptin treatment on hold

[Becky]

This does happen and you need a Herceptin break. A supplement that does help some people is CoQ10. To get the most benefit, one needs 400mg per day. However, when starting CoQ10, you need to work up to that amount (and decrease slowly too later).

For example, you might want to buy 50mg pills. The first 3 days take one pill with breakfast. One the fourth day, take a pill with breakfast and a pill with lunch and do this for 3 days. After that, take a 50 mg pill with every meal. Then buy 100mg pills because after 3 days of 50mg with every meal do 3 days of 100mg with breakfast but 50mgs with lunch and dinner. I think you get the picture - do this until you work up to 400mg every day (but space it out and take the least amount with dinner so work up to 150mg for breakfast and lunch and 100mg with dinner). CoQ10 can interfer with sleep with some people so you can take 200mg with breakfast and lunch if this happens to you.

You should talk to your onc about it so he knows but CoQ10 does not interfer with Herceptin and you can take it when you go back on Herceptin to keep things strong.

You should also talk to your doctor on if there is anything else you can do.