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01-25-2007, 10:35 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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headaches lately
I have had headaches everyday this week starting on Sunday. One was migraine strength but the others have all been dull headaches with the discomfort located across my forehead. Taking advil but for the one migraine I took Imitrix. I haven't been getting any type of headaches at all lately until this week. Can't seem to get rid of them this week though. You all know how we think......instant worry that it is something terrible. Hmmmm, thinking I should call my onc nurse. Any feedback from all of you?
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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01-25-2007, 11:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Rinaina
Even though you are just out of treatment, I would request a brain MRI....I don't often get headaches, but when I do, unless it is from stress or reading too much (eye strain), I get an MRI...better to be safe than sorry. Also, could it be a vision change since your chemo...chemo can do that.
Call the doc if it's lasted longer than a week....otherwise, you will continue to worry.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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01-25-2007, 11:25 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Thanks Sheila for your input. I have also been more tired this week than my usual fatigue. Perhaps that is causing some headaches too. My eyes have continued to be a problem since chemo. They are better than before but I still have some blurriness now and again due to mucus build up due to dry eyes. Using artificial tears like it is going out of style. Still getting herceptin every 3 weeks and wondering if that could be causing any of these headaches. I am waiting to hear back from the onc nurse to see what she has to say and I go next week for herceptin and to see the onc so I will address this with him as well. I will also ask about an MRI of the brain. I always appreciate your experienced input, thank you again.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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01-25-2007, 11:34 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 414
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Could be herceptin, but worth getting checked out
I used to get alot of sinus headaches on herceptin, but if you are worried, it is best to get it checked out.
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01-25-2007, 11:52 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Sinus
Sorry you are feeling bad. I get real cranky when headaches hit.
Your description sounds like how I feel when I have a sinus infection brewing.
Minus the Migraine, as I don't (thank heaven) get those.
If you tap on your brow area above and below your eyes (and cheekbones) and it hurts or is sensitive, you may want to see your GP to check and get a culture.
All the recent news about brain mets is cause for pause as well. But, check out the sinus possibility before you see your onc next week.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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01-25-2007, 12:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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StephN, I can relate to you getting cranky. Last night I was so cranky from these headaches that my hubby spent the entire time watching tv in a different room! He was better off there and safer there!!!! Just kidding, but I sure was in a bad mood. Waiting for a call back from my onc nurse now.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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01-27-2007, 10:29 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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I pretty much live with headaches that sometimes go on for over a month, it gets very draining. They use to be more like sinus headaches and in the temple area. Recently they have been more in the back of my head, into the occipital area. Now it seems the pain has migrated in between my shoulders. I have had 2 brain MRI's and all was clear. I am due for another MRI soon, I think it's very important to have the brain MRI"s because it does matter how quickly you find and treat mets in the brain. Yours are probably Herceptin related..I'm still on herceptin and it always makes my headaches increase..sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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01-27-2007, 11:15 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Sherry, sorry you suffer from so many headaches. They can really get to you and take a lot out of you sometimes. Good to hear though that herceptin can cause the headaches and that I am not crazy. I hear conflicting reports as to whether herceptin can cause headaches. Many times we have a symptom and wonder if it is because of the herceptin...my onc nurse and onc aren't quick to blame the herceptin. Hope this finds you headache free.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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01-27-2007, 12:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Massage
Sherry and Rinaina -
Try getting a good massage. There are many massage therapists out there now and a good one will listen to your problem and try to work those areas in a gentle manner.
I found a local masseuse through my fitness club. She is great and only charges $50 for a full hour to club members. After my two surgeries to the back of my head last year, the massage has helped me a lot, easing my neck and shoulders and getting rid of the knots in my back.
May not solve the problem of headaches completely, but sure feels good!
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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01-27-2007, 06:48 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Rinaina,
Sorry you are having those headaches....please keep us posted on what your onc. says (re: MRI of brain) ....More than likely they are just nasty headaches.
Wishing you all the best.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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