Questions on MUGA and Nails?

Myrajuc

Finally done with Rads June 8th! I re-started with Herceptin again June 12th. I had 12 weekly Herceptin with Taxol pre-rads. I took a break from Herceptin during rads (so for 8 weeks). My MUGA after the 12 weekly Herceptin went from 72 to 52%. My second Herceptin-only will be July 3rd. I feel okay. It'll be every 3 weeks.

Is 3 weeks okay, rather than weekly?

I'll ask for MUGA in August, after 3 months. Do you feel any differently if it's affecting your heart? I started working-out, slowly, so I guess I'll know if I can keep up gradually or not....

I read the posts on the nails. Is it from chemo or Herceptin? I had the black stripes during chemo, they didn't fall off, and the stripes went away. Now that I'm just on Herceptin, will my nails go bad?? Any other side effects? I was told there shouldn't be any.

Thanks,
Myra

Anonymous

Hi Myra,

My onc said that there was no difference between the effects of weekly or every three weeks on the Herceptin. That was a big drop you had on the Muga. You will need to watch that carefully. Is that why you had the break during rads?

As far as SE with Herceptin, some people have a runny nose and I have heard of a few people having worse SE, but mostly the only SE is heart damage.

The Taxol is what does the damage to the nails. Now that you're off Taxol and your nails are looking good, you shouldn't have any more trouble there.

Best of luck with the Herceptin. I'm right there with you!

Miss S

daisybell

Hi Myra

My MUGA went from 70% to 60% after 6 months. I can't feel the difference and no other side effects.

Toronto

My nails fell off from taxol, all 20 of them. They have still been a bit slow to grow through herceptin but maybe things will speed up now that I'm done. I have heard that the hair starts to grow faster so maybe the same will be true of nails.

mikeysmom

Hi Myra,
It sounds like we are having a similar course of treatment. I just started chemo and have 3 more A/C (every 21 days) and then 4 taxol and I'm starting herceptin when I start the taxol. Then rads and 1 yr of herceptin. It seems so overwhelming sometimes.
Cyndi

Myrajuc

Thanks for answering you guys. I was scared about the nails, but glad it's not because of Herceptin alone. My nails were okay with Taxol, whew and I'm done with that.

I have an appointment with my oncologist tomorrow and my Herceptin, every 3 weeks. I hope I don't get the running nose. I had that with Taxol for 3 months! I hated it. Made you tired all the time. I'm back at the gym these days, slowly, but surely.

Take care,
Myra