herceptin and ankle swelling

Esther · 05-31-2006, 12:32 PM

I have been on Herceptin for about 2 1/2 years now, since being diagnosed stage 4. I have noticed some swelling in my ankles due to water retention.

Not alot, but enough to interfere with how my ski boots fit, and I didn't feel they looked their best in cute high heel sandals.

We just recently purchased an infrared sauna, which is supposed to be helpful for cancer patients, raising your body temperature is anecdotally been said to help you fight off the cancer cells. 30 min in the sauna feel great, and as a bonus, I noticed that my ankles are back to normal!

A small thing, I know....but I still have my vanity and looking in cute summer shoes matters.

Adriana Mangus · 05-31-2006, 12:56 PM

I have been on herceptin for the last three years and have not experience ankle swelling, or anything like it. How are you doing, do you get the blood testCA2729 every 2 months or so. I'm waiting to hear the results of my bone cancer and I have schedule a CT chest scan June 9th. I haven't heard anything about it and it's killing me, all in all I'm ok, have energy and continue working,-part time- please respond.

Sheila · 05-31-2006, 01:41 PM

Ester

I have been on Herceptin 2 1/2 years too and lately my feet and fingers have been swelling....fat toes are not cool to me in sandals either...my Onc. ordered a mild diuretic and that seemed to do the trick...maybe the heat, the Xeloda I am on now or just too much salt...anyway, I went yesterday and I had lost 3#...yippee....no dobrt all water and after my Herceptin IV and water I drank, its probably back today. Anyway, I don't take the diuretics every day, only when I feel puffy...you have to be careful with potassium loss if you take them.

Esther · 05-31-2006, 03:14 PM

Adriana, I have my CA 27-29 checked every 3 weeks right now. But in the past 2 years it was usually checked every 2-3 months.

Did you have symptoms or a reason why you are being scanned right now? Hope everything turns out ok for you in your scans!
The ankle swelling is slight, I really only noticed it because my downhill ski boots are custom fitted to my feet, and fit like a second skin. So when there is slight swelling, I feel it right away during ski season.

Sheila, I hadn't thought of diuretics, but i'll keep them in mind in case the swelling goes up again.

Sheila · 05-31-2006, 09:02 PM

Ester
Just dont take them on a big ski day...they work fast and great....you just need to be close and able to get to a bathroom...I have never seen one on the slopes in Wisconsin that you could ski into!!!!

StephN · 06-01-2006, 05:45 AM

Thanks for mentioning this. As a side effect it is minor, but can have a lasting effect.
This was a problem for me starting with the Adriamycin I took as my first drug. Took that weekly for 12 weeks. We get the puffiness in the face as well as elsewhere from the drugs - Decadron as a premed. With Taxotere my shoes really got tight and I got rid of several pair that became unwearable. At this time I also got a prescription for a low dose of Furisimide (mild diuretic) and took that as I felt I needed it. My med onc was not keen on me taking much of that along with my chemos, but it did not take much to keep the swelling down.
THEN there was a little weight gain to add to the problem. Not much, but the effect was there. I also stayed home a lot and wore slippers that allowed my feet to spread a little. So, in consequence of all the rounds of chemo (for two plus years) and the other factors I am no longer a narrow size but usually need medium. All this happened before or with Herceptin in combo with Navelbine and Taxol. No change in foot size since then.

BTW, my feet have always had a tendency to swell a little in hot, humid weather since I was a skinny teen. Coming from a desert climate did that, I think.