***Request for those of you finished with/finishing one year of Herceptin***

Marlys · 09-08-2006, 06:46 PM

Rhonda,
I finished 3 weekly Herceptin 7/11/06. Finished A/C 7/5/05. My worst symptom was diarrhea. Biopsy of colon showed "micro colitis" possibly secondary to "drug effect". I think this meant the Herceptin. I lost 13 # in 3 months from persistent diarrhea. However I have gained that back and the diarrhea has stopped. Other than the diarrhea my major complaint has been the horrible condition of my finger nails. And that has not improved. The skin around my finger tips splits and are extremely painful.
However, I have "no evidence of disease" and I can put up with a lot of side effects to maintain that status. Oh, the runny nose is getting better.
Marlys

Susan Rankin · 09-08-2006, 07:06 PM

Hi,

I finished Herceptin on June 20, 2006 after weekly infusions for one year. My post nasal drip is much better. I still have insomnia, not sure it was from the Herceptin. My energy level is better but I do tire easily. I need to exercise as I think this would make a world of difference on how I would feel. Now that the weather is cooler I plan to start walking again. My vision is no better. I find myself wearing glasses all of the time now for any kind of close up task. My joints ache mostly after not moving around for a long period of time, sleeping, reading, etc. I find if I keep busy and moving I don't experience the pain as much and don't think about it. I think Femara has alot to do with the joint pain. I started with Arimidex and switched over to Femara to see if the pain would get better. Not much difference. I think it is something I will have to live with and if the Femara keeps the cancer from returning I will gladly do so.

Being off of the Herceptin has been nice but it was my security blanket. I worry more than ever about the cancer returning. I am trying to stay positive and my faith is strong. Having breast cancer has changed my life in so many ways. I definitely have a different outlook on life and I thank God everyday for "Herceptin".

I will post again in a few months regarding being off of Herceptin.

Susan

juanita · 09-09-2006, 05:04 PM

I finished cmf chemo a year ago in June. And i had my final herceptin June 21, 06. I was stage 1, er/pr-. I am chemopausal and not taking any other breast cancer meds at this time. My blood counts were still down in August when my family doc checked my cholesterol again. My vision has improved, but it's still not as good as it was before. I had ibs before this, so nothing changed there except a little more sensitive now. Headaches are fewer and farther in between thankfully. I'm still at a loss for words a lot. People are just used to it now though. Most of the aches are getting better except in my ankles. They are worse in the mornings. Didn't have a problem with dry eyes or dry nose, mine ran all the time which isn't so bad now. I still have a problem with my energy level, but doc says blood counts could account for part of that. And i still have problem with my right hand swelling, cancer was on the left side so all of my treatments went in on the right hand. I never lost my eyelashes or eyebrows even when I did tac with the first onc and lost all of my other hair. My fingernails aren't peeling as bad as they were and are finally getting harder. Still have insomnia, but doc says menopause can do that. I will post again on this in about three more months.

suzan w · 09-09-2006, 06:09 PM

I agree, this is a great idea...my last treatment is 10/4 it has been every 3 weeks. I am also on Arimidex. Will keep checking back to see everyones progress...Rhonda...start writing the book!!!

Diane H · 09-10-2006, 01:20 PM

My last treatment [was on a three week dosing schedule] was I think in June. I am ER+ PR- . My eyes have stopped watering as much but my vision seems much worse. Still very sparse eyelashes and eyebrows. Energy level is much better but I do not seem to heal and recover as well from colds as I used to. Pretty constant muscle and joint/bone pain but I attribute that to Femara. And I am very happy to report that memory functions are getting back to a reasonable level! Will check in again in three months.

Peggy · 09-10-2006, 02:24 PM

I finished Herceptin (one year) in June (5th I think). My last chemo was Oct, 05. I am gaining energy and blood counts are coming up. I still haven't lost weight, but my body shape has gone back to normal...I have a waist and don't look like a football linebacker. My runny nose is gone but I still have very thin eyelashes and eyebrows. The chemobrain is gone but I still sometimes search for words, mainly nouns (hope that changes soon). I am having more days where I feel "good" so I am very hopeful!

Peggy

Kaye · 09-10-2006, 02:42 PM

I had Herceptin weekly for one year. After my reaction to the first one (which I got with Taxol) I did not have any reactions that I can recall. In fact I opted not to have any pre-meds with it after that first (or maybe 2nd) time. In retrospect, I am wondering if I may have had some Tylenol just before it, but I don't think so. One thing, though, I asked if it could be given over an hour instead of half an hour. It gave me time to do a nice power nap and relax. I asked for that because I think, again if I remember correctly, that I had read that it may be more effective if given at slower rate.