Has anyone taken Navelbine and Herceptin

My breast cancer is back after 8 months of remission. It is now in my neck lymph nodes and on the oppisite side rt. arm axillary. Most recently under my skin in the lymph vessels. The cancer doctor is suggesting treatment of Navelbine and herceptin once a week. Has anyone had this tx. before? Is it as bad as AC or taxaol? What can I expect? Thanks...

Lisa

[Lolly]

Lisa, I've had 2 recurrences to neck and axilla area's, and both times was treated successfully with Navelbine/Herceptin weekly. The Navelbine is a bit hard on the stomach, but in my case that was controlled with Kytril given at the infusion, and a daily oral acid blocker. Otherwise, just low blood counts and tiredness, some thinning hair, but all very doable in exchange for a highly effective combo...Good luck, this IS a dynamic duo!!

<3,
Lolly

My breast cancer came back after 7 months also to the lymph node in the neck. I did Navelbine and Herceptin. The two for six months then just Herceptin for the next six months. The only side effect I had was a headache after the initial loading dose. The headache gradually went away but other than that it was a piece of cake for me. I had no nausea, thinning hair or any other side effect for that matter.

Without these two drugs I don't know what situation I'd be in today. I am now on Herceptin every three weeks for maintenance.

Good luck to you, Lisa. Trust in your instinct and your doctors.

[Patty H]

Navelbine and herceptin was the eastest combo I have had. A little idigestion was all and I felt good and had good quality of lfe. It is nothing like Ac!!! Best of luck Patty H

How did you find out about the neck nodes? by feeling only or by a scan?
Also were you on herceptin during the eight months of remission? Also where is the location of the nodes? were they at the base of the neck or top?
Sorry for asking so many questions. I am also feeling some enlargement of nodes in the neck. I am on herceptin for a year since March.

Thanks,
Julie

[StephN]

Hi -
I would feel very confident about recommending this combination. I took this along with Taxol for very serious liver mets. NED has been my constant companion for 3 years now. Infusion of herceptin every 3 weeks plus Zometa every 6 weeks does the trick for keeping me in remission.

There are a few other women I know from my cancer center who had good success with Navelbine and Herceptin (without Taxol, like I took). I would do that in a heartbeat.
Give it a try.
And all best wishes for success.

Hi Lisa,
This is a very effective combo and a very patient friendly one. You will probably want benadryl pre-meds but there is no reason for decatron and probably kytril. You may have to take neupogen or neulasta for low WBC. After going through all the other chemos: this one should be a piece of cake.
Good luck,
Al

Julie
In answer to your question, I have had recurrences to the neck lymph nodes 2 times, and they are right above the collar bone, did not show up on a scan, I found them myself.Hope this helps
Hugs
Sheila