Pain from Herceptin?

I had a lumpectomy in Sept '04 and finished chemo in March '05 and rads May '05. Everything went really well- Radiation was super easy.
I'm Stage I

I just started Herceptin last week and now I have a jabbing, little pain in the areas where I HAD the tumors and around the incisions.
Has anyone had this?

mts

I'm not a doctor, but I suspect that the jabbing pain is due to the incision and not the herceptin. I remember having surgery years ago and having a knife jabbing pain around my incision..I think it's rather common and won't last....but you should mention it to the doctor anyway.

I think I read amongst the possible side effects that you might have some twinges at the tumour site (or what was the tumour site). Probably a good idea to check with onc, although I find they often have less than full answers to this type of question. The chemo nurses may be a better bet, since they hear all about side effects all day.

Think Jo is right as I am on herceptine and initially where my tumors were/are (Liver) do get stabbing like pains there - onc said this is normal. But better check with your onc as well.

Take care

Hi!!

YES YES- YES- I have had the Herceptin Pain too!! In fact it has and will make the incision area and surrounding area PAINFUL. At times it really freaked me out. I told the Onc. and he basically said that this is a normal side effect of Herceptin. Some of the paperwork I recieved on Herceptin reports this as a side effect as well.

Victoria

Whew! I thought I was the only one! DO you get the pain every time you get Herceptin? I go for my 2nd infusion next Friday. Right now, the pain has ceased a bit. Almost feels like a lactic acid buildup after a workout.

Does anyone know how long the Herceptin "stays" in the body?

MTS

I get incision pain too which my onco said is normal. Herceptin has a half life of 20.8 days so, theoretically, after about 21 days, half is left in the body.

Becky

Sorry, I fall into the YES, YES, YES category...been on the Herceptin for years and STILL get stabbing pains when I take it. However, for me..., I have noticed the pain runs hand and hand with tumor burden...when my markers are worse, the PAIN is more noticeable...also, if you walk a lot after your Herceptin treatment, you will notice it "hits" you faster and perhaps more furious. Many times, I have experienced the "stabbing" pains while receiving the infusion...especially in my liver and my original tumor site. I have read that some of the flu-like achy "MOVING" pains you get the first day or 2 after the infusion are actually not problem areas, but just the pain your bones make because they are having to make more blood cells to replace the ones being targeted for removal by the herceptin. Hope this helps, Gina. Would love to hear more comments on this topic