My chemo changed?

Sherryg683 · 03-16-2006, 06:26 PM

What he is planning on doing is giving you a larger dose, every 3 weeks...instead of smaller doses every week. Right now, I am getting the weekly smaller doses of Herceptin. My Oncologist said there may be a time when I will be changed to the every 3 weeks treatment. I believe that is after he gets me cleared of my mets. I don't think what your doctor is doing is going to hurt the effectiveness of the Herceptin, it may make it harder for you as far as symptoms go. I have my Taxotere given every 3 weeks and it is rough on me because it is a large dose. I've heard others that have the smaller weekly doses of Taxotere say that it isn't as bad that way...sherryg683

Becky · 03-16-2006, 08:56 PM

The Herceptin can be given weekly (which is how you had it) or every three weeks (the way your doctor wants it to be). He probably started out with the weekly Herceptin just to see how you would do and is switching because it will be easier on you to just come in and get everything once every 3 weeks. Herceptin is equally effective given this way so don't worry about a thing. Both ways are equally as effective and aggressive. He is not changing the way you receive the chemotherapy drugs, just Herceptin.

I am glad you are tolerating your chemo.

Warm regards

Becky

lisahammo · 03-17-2006, 05:35 AM

I was under the impression that there had just been some research results released that showed that receiving chemo in small doses every week for 3 weeks, with one week off was the best course of action. Patients tolerated the side effects better, and the cancer also responded better. This is the way I have my treatment, and the Herceptin is also given the same way.

Has anybody else seen these results? We did have them on the news here in Aus.

Good luck.

Love Lisa

Johanna Johannsdottir · 03-17-2006, 05:55 AM

Hello,

I'm here in Iceland and doing Taxotere and Herceptin weekly. The plan is six weeks, the three weeks off (to get the bone-marrow good), and again another six weeks. I asked my onc. because I knew that Taxotere had been given every three weeks. He said that it has shown that a weekly treatment with smaller doses gives the same result as four times strong combo every three weeks. The side-effects are less and I did my fifth time yesterday and I'm here at my desk in work today. I have mets in bones and a very small one in liver what we are trying to shoot down with this, because the Navelbine I was getting from aug.-des last year didn't do the job. Yesterday I asked my doctor to minimize the cortizon and I got 4 mg in stead of 8 mg. It made my daily life much easier because I haven't had any side effects of the drugs but I'm way to high with the other shit. Couldn't sleep, talked people dead and had to clean, redecorate and paint the house. I think my husband is more relieived.

Lee · 03-17-2006, 07:44 AM

I have taxol/carboplatin/herceptin weekly for 3 weeks, and the 4th week is just herceptin. From what I can tell here, it seems to be much better tolerated that way. I had a consult at Mayo before starting chemo and this is the regimen they recommended as being most effective.

Once my chemo is over, though, I'll likely be getting herceptin every 3 wks as opposed to weekly because there aren't any studies showing a weekly dose is better.

kristen · 03-17-2006, 09:45 AM

Hi Chelee,

I was on the BRICG006 trial and pulled the arm of TCH. I started out with having weekly Herceptin for 21 straight weeks and every 3 weeks they added the Carbo/ Taxotere. I had 6 tx's of that. Then they put me on the every 3 weeks for Herceptin for a year. It sounds like your onc. is following that regimen?

I have heard that some women it makes them sick to have the triple dose and they stay with going weekly or they can slow the drip down. I did stop taking the decadrom prior and after like MaryAnn, I couldn't stand it, it drove me nuts too. I was just wired. I don't know if there is a right or wrong way of getting this combo, but I haven't heard where one is better then the other. For me personally, I liked going in every 3 weeks, it freed up my time at the infusion suites. But that is up to you and how you feel and tolerate the regimen your onc. has you on. My best to you. I am 2.5 yrs out and NED. It worked for me.

Chelee · 03-18-2006, 01:48 AM

Hi kristen, Wow...at least its nice to hear you are NED and already 2.5 years out.

I really don't care how he does it....I just want to make sure he does it the best way for figthing my cancer. He was so sure about doing it weekly...now since I landed in the hospital...he changes everything. I just don't know what to think of it. I had orginally heard it was better to give the herceptin weekly...now he wants to do it every three weeks. As long as it works the same way fine....but I just don't know what to think at this point?

He wanted me doing it weekly no matter what...now this big change. I even asked if it was because I ended up in the hospital...and he said no...its just easier this way. (I am not buying it.)

But I will get to the bottom of it this week...I have a second opinion with other oncologist this coming week. We will see what they say? Thanks so much for your post.

Sherryg683 · 03-17-2006, 04:40 PM

I am going to ask my Oncologist about getting the Taxotere every week instead of every 3 weeks like I am doing. I have to go in every Friday anyway for my Herceptin. That 3 weeks dose of Taxotere has me feeling so bad for 3 to 4 days, it's emotional as well as physical. Hopefully, I don't have but a couple of treatments left...praying to God!..sherryg683

Chelee · 03-18-2006, 01:41 AM

Hi Lisa, That is the way I heard it too. Thats why I don't like my doctor changing my chemo the way he is now. I heard weekly was better too. My ocologist tried to convince me it doesn't change anything. Both ways are just the same. But at this point I am finding it hard to believe anything he says and thats not a good thing. I need to trust him. He had me doing it weekly...which makes me think that IS the better way.

Chelee · 03-18-2006, 01:37 AM

I know what you mean about that Taxotere Sherry. That is some nasty stuff. I know after my first infusion of the Taxotere, Herceptin, and Carbpotin...I felt dusted. I had lots of bone pain and hurt all over. I was misrable. I know I am dreading this coming Monday...thats when I start this all up again. I get all three again starting Monday. I have had a long break since my visit to the hospital...and was just now feeling pretty good. Now its back to the old grind.

Your tough if you can handle the Taxotere weekly? Every three weeks is bad enough for that. But it sounds like you are almost done with your treatments. Thank goodness.

You might be right about my oncologist. I never thought of him giving me larger doses of herceptin every three weeks. I will have to ask him if that is what he is doing. That would make sense...never crossed my mind. Thanks for pointing that out.

I just want my best shot at this like anyone else does. I just know us Her2/Neu girls need are herceptin....so I didn't like the sudden change out of the blue. I understand he is concerned now after my hospital stay...but i really feel as i stated before it was due to him letting my counts get too low. He knew they were low after my first infusion...but waited three weeks to do anything about it. (I just told him at my last visit I am tired of him NOT listening to me!) I told him how I metioned to him four days in a row how I could NOT breath. Then he waits till I end up in the hospital. Obivious I couldn't breath because I was getting an infection....the pnemonia. Maybe next time he will pay attention to me!