Gastrointestinal side effects

nagem

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing, er, loose stools from Herceptin? I started having this symptom—not real diarrhea (although occasionally that too) but just looseness—during Herceptin and assumed it was from that. But I finished Herceptin in December and I still haven't gotten my shit together so to speak. Sorry to be so graphic, but my oncologist doesn't really seem to think it's anything to worry about, but I'm concerned. Anyone else had a similar experience?

snowyday

I have only had that problem once I have the opposite, constipation and it's awful and painful.  Maybe it's not the herceptin but something else, you should request a stool sample just to rule out any other problems and if there is nothing.  I wonder if you eat cheese more would that help.  During my last herceptin treatment they had form that we had to fill out and it asked alot about diarrhea, loose stools, and if I had accidents at night time. So there must be many women with this problem.  I thought herceptin stayed in your system 28.5 days, I could be very wrong though, I read so much.  I would have it checked, it would drive me nuts as well. Good luck.  

GointoCarolina

I had my three weekly herceptin two weeks ago this coming Thursday.Started loose stools about a week later and two days ago,watery diarrhea.Thought it was odd that it was so long after the herceptin,but this last dose really had a lot of side effects for me, especially fatigue. Jackie

GratefulGal

Hello my fellow GI SE sufferors -

I have to say I have been labeled the queen of GI side effects from Herceptin by my onc office. At first, it was difficult to wrap my head around the fact that Herceptin had no side effects, until I started having them. Loose stools and then more watery as time went on. I really thought it was something else, but I did find out that this was one of the most common SE's. I will finish in August after 1 full year, and I tell ya, I am ready to have some normalcy with regard to bowel function. If you look up herpceptin on the web, the most common side effects were, diarrhea, flu like symptoms, watery eyes, fatigue, joint pain, backache, etc. It really helped when I took the info to my onc and she agreed that I was indeed suffering. Hmmm...like I needed someone to agree that I was having SE's, right? We know we are having them!!! I hope that you feel better!

GointoCarolina

Not sure if this will help, my doctor has me on Carafate,this is because during chemo I had severe gastritis, was hospitalised with it. Stomach was feeling better until last Herceptin,went back on the Carafate and have been feeling much better. Just had Herceptin today, so will see if my stomach stays OK. Jackie