1 vs 3 week Herceptin

jordansmom

I am recently diagnosed with recurrent BC, Her2neu++, ER/PR neg.  Herceptin is definitely in the plan!  I have heard it can be given every 1 week or every 3 weeks.  Which is better?  Any difference?

juniper

My onc says there is no difference.  I have had both and I don't notice a significant difference except that I have a runny nose on the three week.

wendyk13

My onc said there really was no difference in rate of recurrence between 1 and 3 week infusions.  They offer the every 3 week so it doesn't intrude on our lives.  I agree with the runny nose.  When I was in chemo and having H every week, no runny nose.  I am guessing...more H given less often = runny nose. But that was it for me for the side effects.

Brenda_R

Every 3 weeks helps when you are tired of being poked with needles and tired of seeing doctors.

I had the 3 week treatments, and was happy to get away from the needles and docs.

nitewind

I had my herceptin weekly, I also had a port so it didn't really bother me. I started out on the once every three week plan and I began to feel very tired for a few days after my infusion. Doc suggested we try weekly and that solved my problem. It wasn't hard for me because I live just across the street from my cancer center, so I always walked there. Best of luck to you.

hugs

Susan

jordansmom

Thanks for the advice.  Susan, did the dosing change with the weekly infusions to a smaller dose?  Is that why you did better on that?  Such a great drug, but very little info to date.  Anxious to get started.  I go in for my port placement next week.

nitewind

Yes, the dosage was lowered. I think that's why I had an easy time of it. I went in every Friday and my infusion only took 30 minutes.

Good luck to you

hugs

susan

EGAL

I had 36 Herceptin treatments over 10 months.  I went weekly and had a break of one week every six weeks or so.  It was fine, I didn't have any problems only that I was a little tired the next few days as I didn't sleep the night of the treatment from the steriods.  My boss was very good to me, if I was really tired he'd leave me alone

mary6204

I had my first 6 herceptin treatments the same time as my chemo which was every 3 weeks.  I was sick as a dog after each treatment starting with day 4 through up til day 10.  The oncologist assured me it was the chemo that made me sick not the herceptin, but you just never know!!!. 

I've had one herceptin only treatment (3 weeks after the last chemo) and she was right, no side effects what so ever.  My next treatment is Monday and it's nice to know I'm not dreading it.

 Good luck and God bless, Mary 

sabuna

My onc also said that there was no difference however when I went to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa-----part of the national Cancer Institue and the dr. I saw said that she has her patients have weekly Herceptin and so that's what I do- after all, how many womn go the beauy parlor every week...and how much more important is this?

i

mrs_X_Sunneedazee

I did the every 3 week herceptin, even though my Oncologist really wanted me to do the once a week thing.  He says that in his experience, it is better to have a steady dose of herceptin molecules in the body messing with the cancer cells than having a WHOLE bunch at the beginning of the 3 weeks, and then tapering to almost nothing left in the body after the 3 weeks.  My cancer has grown and grown and grown since I have been doing the only every 3 weeks, so now I am back on weekly herceptin along with adding Taxol once again.  After I finish, I do believe I will take my oncos advice and just continue weekly.