Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited October 2011
    Tiger I'm so sorry and pissed. Please let us know what your next steps for treatment is. ♥ ♥ ♥
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  • Wendyspet
    Wendyspet Member Posts: 246
    edited October 2011

    So, so sorry to hear this Tiger.  I'm sure MD Anderson will have some ideas.  But it sounds like your body is receptive to chemo, because it worked one place.  

    TonLee - my EF dropped from 69 to 52 and now I get to see a cardiologist.  I am hoping this and the cankles are from TC (I am now 3 weeks PFC).  In your case though, I read somewhere on this website studies done where having 6 months of herceptin might be enough...?

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited October 2011
    tiger, this news is just plain shitty, excuse my french.  i know you'll get really good info and help at MD Anderson.  it's one of the very best, for sure.  please keep us informed along the way, ok?  i'm  sending hugs and positive thoughts your way.  just damnit is all i can say.
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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2011

    First, Tiger, I am so sorry to read this.  I posted and didn't get a chance to review some of the previous comments so missed it originally.  Hugs to you.

    Wendy,

    Yes, I'm looking at some of those studies right now.....my cousin starts TCH on the 26th and her Onc said the 6 vs 12 month Herceptin studies are "faulty" in methodology.  I'm looking for them, and then into his opinion to see if there is any merit....

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  • kriskat
    kriskat Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2011

    Tiger-big hugs to you!! I'm sure MD Anderson will find a combo that will work for you! From all I hare, they are the best! Sending hugs and prayers to you!!!!!

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited October 2011

    Tiger - I am so sorry to hear that!  I am sure also that MDA will have some good ideas for you!!!

    TonLee -  Well at least it makes sense given how you were feeling.  HOpe you start to feel better soon.

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited October 2011
    Tiger - I'm so sorry that you didn't get better news.  I hear wonderful things about MD Anderson.  I hope they knock you into remision FAST.

    TonLee - I just discussed the 6 months vs. 12 months with my onc today.  He said that the study is "soft" and he doesn't think protocol will change when new research comes out at the San Antonio Conference.  I'm sorry your heart is taking such a beating on Herceptin.  And I'm a bit more apprehensive about never having had any heart tests...
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  • Izzy325
    Izzy325 Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2011

    Tiger, prayers to you.

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  • paulamati
    paulamati Member Posts: 43
    edited October 2011

    So sorry about your news Tiger, all my prayers are with you ..keep fighting!!

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  • musicalmom
    musicalmom Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2011

    Tiger

    More hugs and prayers for you. You will get through this. We are here for you.

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited October 2011

    Tiger So sorry to hear your news-sending hugs your way!

    Tonlee I hope your heart recovers quickly and that you start feeling much better-I know you've had a lot of Herceptin so I'm sure you'll be covered whether you can continue or not-keep up posted.

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2011

    Pej,

    You can request a MUGA/echo now.  It will show your ejection fraction (which is always good information to have).  60% is considered "normal." 

    50% seems to be the "breaking point" for most Oncs from what I've read.  And if a person falls below that they take them off for awhile or for good.  (Just an FYI, you can get a pace maker at 35%.)

    My Onc said it is essential to monitor the heart because Herceptin's toxicity to it is well established in up to 30% of patients.  (I kinda rolled my eyes at first because I wasn't having any reaction to it, until the last couple txs, about 4 and 5 from being finished, after those whew!  I knew something was wrong, but I blamed Tamoxifen!) 

    I can tell you this for certain.  Without the MUGA I'd probably be dead or dying.  I was supposed to have my 3rd to last Herceptin today....my heart is weak and the last Herceptin just about took me out.  I can't imagine making it through all that again this tx with an even weaker heart.

    All that to say...and gah, this is so corny...listen to your body.  If your heart feels fine, and you aren't getting weaker, you should be good to go.  But don't assume because you've taken it for 6 months or even 9 like me, that it will always be smooth sailing.  If you start feeling weak, short of breath, headaches, sore muscles, chest pain, dizziness, and/or exhausted, you might want to ask for a MUGA.

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  • Amelie_Rose
    Amelie_Rose Member Posts: 106
    edited October 2011

    Tiger, I am so very sorry.  This sucks!  I hope MD Anderson finds the best combination of drugs for you.  Keep us posted.  Sending big hugs your way.

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  • musicalmom
    musicalmom Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2011

    Hi Everyone.



    What is MD Anderson?



    I finiished chemo #3 of 6 today. Now I am waiting on all the side effects to surface. I hope most of you are doing well.



    I am heading off to bed. Wishing you all a pleasant weekend.

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  • musicalmom
    musicalmom Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2011

    TonLee,



    Sorry to hear about your heart. I hope you will be able to get the best medical intervention and be able to complete your treatment. My heart goes out to you...sorry just realized that was a bad pun but kept it hoping a little humor gets a through all of this crap. Because of your story i am going to be more mindful of any body changes.



    Hugs GF!

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2011

    Thank you musicalmom, that was sweet and funny!! :)

    I don't always have a lot of internet time at home....(how did I ever have time for cancer?!?) so if I don't respond to someone/something right away please know I will eventually!  I think you ladies are magnificient!  Muah!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited October 2011
    musicalmom MD Anderson (more details) is rated #1  for cancer treatment (#3 overall hospital) in the US. It's in Houston TX.
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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited October 2011
    Thanks for the input re: MUGA/echo monitoring, TonLee.  So far, I feel fine.  I had #12 on Thursday and I wouldn't even know it happened.  :)  I started back to the gym this week and that went ok too.  But I will learn from your experience and be extra mindful of any strange things going on in my body.

    I hope you recover quickly and without lasting SE.  Really.
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  • Tiger_Blood
    Tiger_Blood Member Posts: 270
    edited October 2011

    Hi All!

    Off to MD in Houston I go tomorrow. I will keep you all updated. I am seeing a gentleman named Fransisco Esteva who has been doing a lot of trials with Herceptin.

    @Lago: Check him out on MD's website and tell me what you think. I trust your opinion.

    Best wishes to all.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2011

    tiger - so sorry to hear of this new development - hoping they can find something that will work for you at M D Anderson.

    All - also have M D Anderson locations in Phoenix, Orlando, and Albuquerque for anyone needing another consult.

    tonlee - bummer on the bad MUGA - you are so right to remind us not to assume we are having SE from something else - anything new should be investigated.  It seems I have read of others being able to give the heart a rest and then resume the rest of their Herceptin, and that if they could not continue the H, at least the cardiac issues were reversible.  You are so close to being done that the benefit is surely there from what you have received so far.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited October 2011

    Tiger you have PM

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2011

    Pej,

    Odds are on your side that you won't experience any heart problems on Herceptin.

    SpecialK,

    Yes, I do think I have gotten all the benefit from Herceptin I'm likely to get.  I really don't care if I get my last 3...in fact, even if my heart rebounds I am really leaning towards refusing them.  I'm comfortable doing it.

    I may have had some pre-disposition to the heart thing since my grandma had her first heart attack at 44 (sans cancer).  Heart issues do run on my mom's side of the house so I coulda went in compromised ..... who knows.

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  • Christean
    Christean Member Posts: 136
    edited October 2011

    TonLee- So sorry to hear about your heart.  This is something I worry about a lot.  I hope it all ends up ok.

     Tigerblood- Stay strong...Big hugs and happy thoughts headed your way.

    I haven't posted in a long while, but have been reading everyone's posts religiously!

    Hope everyone else is feeling good.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2011

    christean - are you completely done with chemo - I have lost track of where you are?

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  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Member Posts: 164
    edited October 2011

    Tigerblood,  I will be thinking of you today as you go to MD,  Sending you positive thoughts and hoping they will be come up with a good plan for you!

    TonLee,  thanks for the info about the symptoms.  I worry about my heart as well,  but so far so good.  I had an MRI last week and it came back exactly the same as the initial one, before Herceptin at 64%. 

    I am meeting with the plastic surgeon and the BS today.  I have to decide what I am going to do.  I am leaning towards a lumpectomy as both onc and BS feel that medically there is no reason to have a more invasive surgery.  My mass is completely gone, although there is a chance there might be microscopic cancer cells left.  We won't know until after surgery and then I would have to go back for a MX.  If that happens I will go for a BMX.  

    I hope everyone has a great week!

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  • olgah34
    olgah34 Member Posts: 407
    edited October 2011

    Hello

    really hard after tx 2... Next day got Neulasta shot...it was tuesday...Thursday started feeling dizzy, weak nauseaus, till yesterday , sunday night...Took Claritin all the time, a nd last night Aleve. Can Calaritin make me that bad? I could not leave the bed, actually.Do I have to take it today? It is almost a week after neulasta.I am afraid to take it, because I have to see my PS, I have to drive myself. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited October 2011

    Olgah I was on Zyrtec the entire time I was doing chemo (no break) so I didn't do Claritin. I will admit the 1st 10 days I was in a fog from it but then my body got used to it. But talk to your onc to be sure it's not the Claritin. It just might be the SE you get from chemo.

    Tiger I'll be thinking of you today too. Let us know if your onc is actually as good looking and friendly as his picture projects. Wink

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  • olgah34
    olgah34 Member Posts: 407
    edited October 2011

    I just read on w-site, that Claritin CAN make you dizzy and even faint. I just cannot paste it on BREASTCANCER. ORG, DON'T ALLOW IT. They say Claritin helps with Neulasta side effects.

    Chemo sucks...

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited October 2011
    olgah - Claritin is an anti-histamine usually used for allergies.  It is of the newer kind that isn't supposed to make you drowsy like the older ones (benadryl) did.  Everyone reacts differently to these meds though.  The not being able to get out of bed does sound more like chemo SE than from the claritin.  How are you doing with your fluids and your eating, that can make a difference in how you feel as well??
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  • olgah34
    olgah34 Member Posts: 407
    edited October 2011

    Just talked to my Nurse. She told me this reaction can be only  because of Claritin, not Neulasta. Usually they prescribed Claritin a anight before the shot and next day, but sometimes oncologist thinks we have to take it longer, what happened in my case. She told me to stop taking it .

     Here is a w-site about it, which I could not paste:

    http://health.yahoo.net/goldcontent/loratadine#H7

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