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01-31-2007, 06:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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My herceptin bad reaction solved...
Well I met with my Oncologist today after 2 days of hell with aches, pains, fever and the most God awful pain in my right arm area. Last night I broke out in all these hive type bumps on that arm and breast. He seems to think I might have "shingles" and not a reaction at all to my Herceptin. I guess I will find out Monday when I get my next Herceptin. He put me on some antibiotics and steroids and already my arm is feeling better...sherryg683
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Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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01-31-2007, 07:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Sherry,
I had shingles about 2 years ago and it was very painful. I'm glad to hear that your onc thinks that is the problem as opposed to a reaction to the Herceptin.
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Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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01-31-2007, 08:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 312
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Sherry, seveal people on this list have said they had shingles, including myself. Evidentally, when the immune system is low, shingles can develop. For some the pain can linger a long time. There is a vaccine just out to prevent shingles that we should probably ask our doctors about. THere is still a question as to whether to give it to those that have already had shingles.
Were you prescribed Valtrex? That is what I was on.
Best of luck on you quick recovery.
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Janet
Endometrial Cancer 2002
Mammogram 11/2004
Lumpectomy 12/2004
Stage 1, 9mm DCIS, grade 2, Her2+++, ER/PR negative
Refused A/C as recommened by two oncs.
35 treatments of radiation that ended March 4, 2005
Changed oncologists and began
Taxotere/Herceptin August 2005. Finished Herceptin July 2006
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01-31-2007, 08:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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Oh, Sherry. I've had shingles a few times (you're only supposed to get it once, but lucky me,) and as you probably know by now, it effects the nerves, so you get sore, ouchy, achy, skin sensitive all near the rash site, and fevery, fluey, too. It definately wipes you out. The anti virals are good, and so is rest, rest, rest and more rest.
I hope you feel better soon.
Linda
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01-31-2007, 09:23 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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So sorry Sherry you have the shingles. I hope it will be a mild case for you. Glad it wasn't the herceptin though. Sorry you have to deal with yet another problem. Hoping and praying it leaves as fast as it came. Rest up.
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~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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01-31-2007, 09:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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Actually, I'm kind of glad it is shingles. I had already convinced myself that the rash had to be inflamatory breast cancer. Maybe that sharp burning pain that has been on the right side of my back is associated with the shingles, of which I figured I had developed bone cancer. I hate this stuff, we can't even get a headache without thinking cancer. I've got scans coming up in a few weeks and i'm getting nervous..can't you tell..sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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01-31-2007, 09:41 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 22
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Sherry I'm sure that's why it hurts around your back; shingles follow a particular nerve path which can go all the way around your body. It's miserable.
{{{{{{}}}}}} Julie
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01-31-2007, 10:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Spokane/Warden, WA
Posts: 67
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I totally get the notion of relating everything back through the breast cancer lens. My shingles came on the heels of some serious family stuff - involving the law, my adult child, my personal safety, my home, my past, present and future. Chemo, radiation and Herception after surgery weren't even a distant memory yet. When the symptoms came, marching across my remaining breast, I IMMEDIATELY sought medical advice - SO unlike me. However, I thought I was having a recurrence - noteworthy enough to seek such advice. Everyone ELSE said how lucky I was to be having ONLY shingles. I couldn't help but feel how unlucky NOW to have this, TOO. Shingles suck, especially when we already have been through so much (which is our major ticket to get them in the first place -loads of stress triggering an old latent strain of virus - chickenpox- to resurface in this new and obnoxious fashion. All I can say: What.Next?
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dee
4 year bc/her2neu survivor
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02-01-2007, 11:07 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 212
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(((Sherry))), I'm sorry you're going through all this, but happy that it appears you are not allergic to herceptin. I, too, developed shingles while on chemo--it started as a burning, stinging rash on my face of all places. My onc. recognized it as shingles early on and put me on Valtrex, which helped. The painful rash lasted a few weeks and then was gone, but during that time I just wanted to put a paper bag over my bald head with no eyebrows & an angry red rash and scream "Enough already! Why me?!" I know it's miserable now, but as they say "this too shall pass". Sending you a hug and wishes for a speedy recovery.
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Audrey
diagnosed July 2001, at age 36
large tumor, 11+ nodes
Stage IIIb, er/pr-, Her2+
treated with A/C, weekly Taxol
radiation, + year of Herceptin
on clinical trial. double mastectomy
followed by reconstruction
NED!!
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02-01-2007, 12:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Sherry,
I had a bout with shingles last spring that showed up on my bc breast and back (same nerve path) and of course, my first thought was that I had skin mets. I had the really bad pain, where I couldn't even touch my skin it hurt so bad. Anyway, same as you, I was relieved to find out it was shingles.
You'll feel better soon. Ask your doc about Valtrex (sp?) that's what they usually put you on since it is viral, not bacterial. I had to do a 10 day course, but felt much better after the 2nd day.
Karen
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02-01-2007, 05:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 45
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Sherry, I am sorry you are going through this but I'm glad it is not cancer and that you are feeling better. Hopefully the medicine will work quickly and you'll better in no time.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
__________________
Hugs and Smiles,
Angela - NC
Dx May 2003 at age 39
Lt mastectomy, no nodes
DCIS, PR- ER- Her+++
4 rounds AC
Recurrence Dec 2006 Rt lung
2/07 - 3 Brain mets - Radiation
3/07 - Carboplatin and Herceptin
8/07- mets stable. Finished Carboplatin-remain on Herceptin
12/07 - Herceptin only
5/08 - Lung mets grew - tykerb and Navilbene. Reaction to Tykerb -9/08 Herceptin again
12/08 - Lung mets growing - xeloda.
8/09 - Given Zometa for precaution
10/09 - Lung mets back plus new ones. - Put back on Xeloda.
1/10 – Began short-term disability
2/10 –Lung mets growing - Gemzar
9/2010 – Scan show tumors in lungs growing. Put on Ixempra (every 3 weeks). MRI of the brain showed a brain bleed but it had stopped bleeding.
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02-01-2007, 05:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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Well, I woke up this morning and the pain and rash were all down my back on the right side and ribs and totally covering breast. I went to a specialist (because Oncologist wasn't sure it was shingles) and sure enough..it is shingle. I'm lucky enough to have a really, really bad case..is what he said. Shingles usually follow a single nerve path, mine has infected 3 nerve paths...lol. Typical me..if I'm gonna do something..do it big. Like being diagnosed stage Iv from the get go. I can handle shingles, just as long as this cancer stays away..sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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02-01-2007, 07:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hugs to you Sherry! Glad it's ONLY shingles. Hehe! Sad, when we get excited over shingles, isn't it? BUT, it's wayyyyyyyyyyy better than cancer.
God's Peace,
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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02-01-2007, 08:21 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Henderson, NE
Posts: 413
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Sherry, I had shingles also when going through chemo. It was going around the chemo room when i got it. Must be a common thing while on chemo.
__________________
Michele Ulmer
dx: August 2003 stage 3b 35 pos nodes ER/PR neg Her+
4 AC 12 weekly taxol
one year Herceptin in trial
35 rad tx
vaccine trial Seattle
NED
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02-02-2007, 08:09 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Last week we were celebrating arthritis (which lights up bone scans). This week we are celebrating Shingles. We have SO MUCH to celebrate here.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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