Head rush and dizzy

I have an appt w/my onc tomorrow because I feel like I have a hangover. I am only taking Herceptin. Had 2nd infusion last Friday and 1st infusion 3 weeks prior. Finished chemo in March.
If this is a side effect of the Herceptin I would like to know if any of you have/had them too. What did you do? I am in otherwise really good health. My blood pressure today was for the first time ever -very high 165/102 !!! Its usually 120ish over 70ish

This really stinks because I can barely raise my eyes without getting dizzy. This almost feels like chemo all over again. I did not experience any side effects when I had the 1st herceptin infusion. I thought we "adjusted" to the stuff. I know the benefits of Herceptin far outweigh the alternative... but Whew!

Maria

You might want to try weekly rather than tri-weekly infusions so that you get a lower dose each time.

Also, do you get Bendryl or some other antihistimine with your infusion? Some people seem to have a sensitivity to it. Or if you do, you may be very sensitive to the antihistimine.

It's good that you've got an appointment to talk with your doctor about this. Every individual is different, which makes it tough for doctors. I do advise you to tell him/her everything you know about your reactions to medications. That may present just the clue that he/she needs.

I too have had dizziness from Herceptin, and I was wondering if that is a common experience? I have been on it for two and a half years, weekly. For a few days after and sometimes longer, my eyes water, feel funny and I feel dizzy and "hung-over". Yes, like I drank alot of booze the night before! Onc. says once weekly is easier on the heart "studies show".

Hi Maria,
How is your blood count? Almost sounds like anemia. Herceptin may cause changes in blood counts and if it is red blood cell or hemoglobin related, that may be the cause. Also, careful supplimenting with iron if there are liver mets involved.
Regards,
Al

Hi Maria,
I received herceptin weekly injections in 2002 and I had nearly forgotten that I also reacted like that. I am very sensitive to alcohol and the herceptin is given along with a small percentage of alcohol I guess to keep it stable. I think my body just doesn't process alcohol easily whereas most people probably don't feel the alcohol effects at all. I contributed my almost 'drunken' feelings to the alcohol base that the herceptin is given with. I remember I just made sure I didn't drive right after the infusion. I would go shopping in the hospital gift store every week. I had fun and usually picked out a cute little trinket to bring home with me.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your treatments.
Margaret

As always- thank you all for your input- It really helps to deal with this
#%!! knowing that I am not alone...
I'll let you know what happens.

Warmly,
Maria

Mts,
We are on the same track and appear to have had the same symptoms! I finished chemo in March too and started herceptin (every 3 wks) in June. A day after my second infusion I was extremely dizzy. I couldn't bend down, couldn't move my eyes too quickly, felt a little nauseous. I have since had occasional dizziness, but nothing like that experience. It is hard to describe... a hangover, fuzzy and lighthead. I mentioned it to my onc, but he had nothing to say about it. The nurse noted that my bp was on the low side, but that "low" is normal for me. I didn't have anything like this with chemo, so I never even made the connection to the herceptin till I read your post. Dummy me!

Hello
I had a similar experience. Not as dizzy but really tired , I had a MUGA scan and my percentage had gone down alot. From 51% to 36%. Hopefully that isn't the case for you, but something to ask about.
Take care
Bonnie T

My money is on the stupid Benadryl...I honestly, can NOT believe that oncs STILL don't know no NOT to give it with Herceptin after the first dosing (how is that for a double negative??...smile).

It is, I suppose, necessary the first time JUST in case one would be allergic to it...to date, I have yet to meet ANY person allergic to Herceptin, but it can happen. I remember early on, years ago, now, the same thing happened to me and after reading about how the immune system needs to be in top shape to clean up the tumor/lesion debris created by the herceptin locking into her-2 receptors and essentially marking those cells which carry them with the "MARK OF DEATH" for destruction to be "eaten away" by the immune cells..well, I simply refused it from then on..beleive you me..when taking Herceptin for the long haul THE LAST THING you want is a suppressed immune system and that, my friends, is the exact thing Benadryl is designed to do. Don't get me wrong, Benadryl has its place and can be life-saving in an emergency allergic reaction, but NOT in the HERCEPTIN infusion room...I personally do NOT believe in taking pre-meds of any kind with the Herceptin and my refusing to do so since '99 is in part what I largely attribute to me having a repeatalbly strong and consistent response to HERCEPTIN, year after year. I also get more "bang for my buck" as my immune system is not being repeatedly depressed by the Benadryl, or any drug for that matter. I take no prescription meds daily. Just diet, certain supplements and HERCEPTIN once every 6 weeks. That's it and against all odds...I am still here and have a good QOL...Hope this helps..., I realize I have strong opinions that differ from many on the board...it is as if I have evolved in some sort of isolation from what MAINSTREAM was doing...I am not sure how that happened except from the get- go, I had a REALLY great and brillant young oncologist who cared... but who now has moved on to bigger and better, but he got me through the worst and taught me quite a lot. Best of luck to you...skip the pre-meds...just take the Herceptin, you'll be fine. Gina