Herceptin and Benedryl

[MCS]

Gina and ohters,


so decadron the steroid - use with ac but try not to take with taxol or herceptin?

benadryl only if allergic reaction develops. so that means first infusion would be without it?

calcium sup bad? i was taking before dx for leg cramps at night? could it have contributed to breast calcifications?

thank you!

MCS

Is there a problem with taking benadryl with herceptin? What exactly is the problem?

Peace and Blessings,
Monique

[Gina]

Hi, Monique,

As I stated above, I do not recommend taking the Benadryl with the Herceptin as the Benadryl is designed to dampen immune response and I find that Herceptin tends to work best when the immune system is fully active. That is all. Also, not to be confused, I find that in some instances, taking either Vitamin D or steroids like the pre-cocktail decadron we are sometimes given seems to boost the immune system response to Herceptin which I think is good. So immune boosting with Herceptin "good"...and immune system dampening "bad", unless of course you are having repeated allergic responses to Herceptin which in practice, though, turn out to be very rare.

Fine to take the Benadryl for the first Herceptin infusion, but next time, try it without and see how you do??? If you have any liver involvement at all, also forego the pre-med Tylenol. I have been taking Herceptin alone with great benefit for many years and take neither Benadryl nor Tylenol with it--ever period dot..smile.

If the above arguments are still not convincing..., for no other reason, when you are ill like this, you already put so much into your body, I think for the LONG haul, to protect liver and kidneys especially, it is important to remember that LESS can truly be MORE..smile. So to the pre-meds for HERCEPTIN only(this does not apply to other types of chemos), just say no to Benadryl and Tylenol...smile.

Godspeed everybody,
Gina

[al from Canada]

Dear Ladies,

I don't think that any supplementation (with anti-histamines like benedryl) or steriods is good. It is usualy given to first time patients to stave-off a potential allergic reaction but after that, say no! They only put a higher load on the internal organs, especially the liver, kidneys and adrenals.

Gina, Sorry but I have to disagree with you that steriods boost the immune system...the reality is that they actual IMPEDE the immue system. That is why when people have severe allergic reatctions such as swelling and hives, prednisone is given to kill the auto-immune response. In fact....there has been research that has showen that pre-treatment with steriods acually dampened the anti-tumoral effect of AC.

Steriods are a killers which will cause your adrenals to shut down and shouldn't be taken casually. ! As well, steriods will cause a rise in serum sugar levels (diabetes) which we know will only feed the cancer. Some cancers are like an auto-immune reaction but not HER2.

Regards,
Al