Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived! - Page 2

theresaw · 04-06-2007, 04:16 PM

Well it is good to know that i am not the only one having these effects of Herceptin. Everytime i mention something to my doc she looks like i said some thing alien to her. When I told her my toe nails came off she told me I may have had a fungus..NOT! they still haven't grown in yet..

gin-tx · 04-07-2007, 07:33 AM

I think everyone is affected in a different manner. I have runny nose, which I take something but some days it makes little difference, difficulty sleeping, so take something to help me rest at night, when I don't I toss and turn all night long, no problems with toenails or fingernails yet, dryness in nose and nose bleeds (only happened a couple of times). And of course lots of fatigue in daytime, I usually come in from work as I work part time and sleep about an hour. Also I have a tumor on my spine that makes it difficult to lie on my back, so finding a comfortable sleeping position is not easy. Have had radiation, it shrunk some but cannot be removed because of location.

Keep me informed of your progress. I think this site is so wonderful to air our complaints, sometimes our families or the docs do not understand.

hugs,
ginkott1@aol.com

harrie · 04-07-2007, 12:42 PM

It is interesting to read all the various side effects. My BIGGEST complaint is the excessive salivation during waking hrs when I am not eating. Last night found sucking on sugarless Ricola helps a whole lot. My fingernails are starting to look like small bleeding beneath the nails. Insomnia....not me. I sleep really, really good. The few days i take the decadron, I might have a slight problem, but over the counter Sominex (1/2 tab) is all I need to fix that.
It is one wk past my last TCH tx and I can feel the fatigue. When I do some of my cardio at the gym, I can definitely feel the difference.

gin-tx · 04-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Dear Maryanne,

I have none of the side effects you mention. So far nails have been fine, salivation no problem, have lots of allergies, so take something for that. Biggest problem is I'm noticing I'm very tired for a couple of days after treatment, just slept a lot over week-end and watched TV, did not exert myself at all. Had no energy to do much. If I don't take something to sleep, I may sleep till around 2 am, then I'm up for a couple of hours, then tired the next day. I have other issues but they're totally different from yours. For the most part I think I've done fairly well. Now noticing how tired I get after treatment, don't know if it's Benadryl or the Herceptin. Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing.

hugs,
ginkott1@aol.com

Adriana Mangus · 04-10-2007, 01:07 PM

May I ask you about your bc. I was diagnosed in 1994 and am dealing with my 2nd bout with bc.

Will you be receiving Herceptin for life?
What type of treatment did you receive first time around?
Did you have mastectomy?

Any other information will be appreciated.

Thank you Gin-Tex

tfouts · 10-12-2007, 08:46 PM

Everything you state as your symptoms are what I am experiencing! My doctor keeps telling me that Herceptin really shouldn't cause these problems. But I'm telling ya, I'm not going crazy! I'm 43, and I feel really old! I only have two more treatments and am hoping that these symptoms will get better. I do want to add one more symptom though: I still have extreme vaginal dryness which has continued after my four AC and 4 Taxol treatments. My doctor said he hopes that will get better after I have completed my Herceptin treatments. My husband really hopes so. I haven't seen anybody address this issue here yet. Has anybody else experienced this too?

rinaina · 10-13-2007, 10:04 AM

do you have dryness anywhere else besides your vaginal area? I have extreme dry eyes and dry mouth too. my skin is also dry and never use to be. It does get better after treatment, at least for me it has, but i still have dry eyes and mouth.

rinaina · 10-13-2007, 10:05 AM

do you have dryness anywhere else besides your vaginal area? I have extreme dry eyes and dry mouth too. my skin is also dry and never use to be. It does get better after treatment, at least for me it has, but i still have dry eyes and mouth.