I was on xeloda/herceptin for over 2 yrs, then switched to xeloda/tykerb for another 1 1/2. It was the best I've felt on any chemo. I did have side effects, but they were manageable. Diarrhea at first - sometimes severe, but imodium kept it in control. After awhile I guess I my body adapted because it was no longer an issue. My blood counts always stayed in normal ranges. I did feel a little more tired sometimes - I could tell the difference when it was my week off the xeloda that I had more energy. My biggest difficulty was the hand/food syndrome. I got severe at times. I tried lots of lotions. Unfortunately I didn't know about the henna treatment. On the week off xeloda it would clear up a lot. I had my xeloda dose reduced and that helped. I think I started out at 4000 mg & went to 3500, then 3000. I think others have been on 2500 and done fine on the xeloda. I wish I could still be on that combo. I also liked not having to get treatment by IV - it felt freeing to just take the pills.
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Pam
6/01 IBC er+ her2+stage IIIb; mastecomy
7/01 AC, taxol; radiation
2/02 tamoxifen
9/02 stage IV bone mets femara
1/03 taxotere/herceptin/aredia
6/03 herceptin, aredia & faslodex
1/04 navelbine, herceptin, aredia
2/05 herceptin/aredia
7/05 xeloda/herceptin/aredia
3/07 xeloda/tykerb/aredia
5/08 taxol/avastin/aredia
2/09 gemzar/herceptin/zometa
7/09 Taxol/Carbo/Herceptin, zometa
10/09 navelbine/herceptin & zometa
2/10 herceptin & tykerb & zometa
4/10 add xeloda &aromasin
10/10 dx with dermatomyiositis triggered by cancer
11/10 restart herceptin, tykerb, zometa
12/10 surgery-place rod in R femur to stabilize bone
1/11 radiation to R femur - 20 tx
2/11 2nd surgery - rod in Left femur
2/11 tx eribulen -- suspended dx brain mets
3/11 brain mets wbr 20 tx
4/11 halaven; discontine 8/11 not working
8/11 radiation to left femur 20 tx'
8-9/11 rad to lower spine
9/11 abraxane/herceptin/zometa
9/12 xeloda/herceptin/zometa
12/12 ablation of liver
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