Starting Herceptin this week

lafera12

I'm starting my Herceptin this week for a year---I was taking it with Taxol from the end of April to the beginning of August.  I was getting pre-drugs then (Adivan, Pepsid, Benedryl and Decatron).  Do they give you any predrugs with just the Herceptin?

Angie

coonie

I just get Benadryl with my Herceptin. I go every 3 weeks until January. Can't really tell I'm getting anything. I feel great! Runny nose sometimes, but that's so minor. Good luck to you!

azsunn

I dont get any pre drugs with the Herceptin and feel fine with it.  The only side effect I've had is a continued suppressed WBC.

GrammyNancy

I completed my year of Herceptin in July....never was given any pre-meds....only se's....drippy nose for a couple of days and I do believe it slowed my hair growth....not much but it has grown more rapidly since  I completed Herceptin.  Good Luck to you...we are so fortunate to have this drug.

Nancy

edited to add....I was on the every week protocol.

Ivylane

Angie:  I found Herceptin to be a cake walk after AC and Taxol.  I had the runny nose thing too.  No pre drugs for me either,  I thank God for this drug. 

Good luck....you'll be fine.

Maureen 

pmm

I started Herceptin with my Chemo drugs in May 08.  I got the Herceptin weekly until I finished Chemo on Aug. 22 and now get it every 3 weeks.  I don't get any pre-meds and feel fine.  Maybe a little tired the next day but that is all.  I get it in my medi-port.  I am so thankful for the Herceptin especially after seeing the movie Living Proof and what the doctor had to go through just to get it approved. 

Good Luck with your treatments. 

juliejfsrj

Hi,  I think everyone has to get benedryl with their herceptin.  I only have 5 treatments to go, and about the halfway mark, they let me take just 25 mg as opposed to the 50mgs that they started me with.  

I feel perfectly fine the first few days after the herceptin, but usually 4 or 5 days later, I become exhausted and get very pale skin with my runny nose.  It usually gives me diarrhea the day after treatment.  And I've also had some issues with hair and nails.  I did not have chemo first, just radiation, I also am taking tamoxifen.  Good luck to you, it's not too bad at all.

Julie 

Brenda_R

I finished my year of Herceptin 6 months ago. I got no pre meds. At first I had just a little runny nose and diarrhea. After a few treatments, I didn't even get those side effects.

Mocity

Hi all,

I am going for a 2nd opinion but right now my Onc is saying Taxol/Herceptin every week for 12 weeks.  Then, Herceptin for a year every 3 weeks.  Anyone else do Taxol/Herceptin without the AC?

I am so scared of the side effects, losing my hair, etc.  WIll be starting sometime the beginning of November.

lafera12

Cristic,

My first round of chemo was A/C, but I only had that for four treatments.  Then I started the Taxol/Herceptin treatments, I had 12 treatments--three weeks on then had one week off, till I was done. Now Herceptin every three weeks for a year...So you are not alone in this..

Angie

swimangel72

My oncologist recommended a very different treatment for me (and 3 other oncs agreed with him). He put me on Herceptin every two weeks with Navelbine for 4 months (a "light" chemo since it wouldn't cause hair loss or damage my heart). I finished the Navelbine and now take Herceptin alone. The only time I got a premed was when I switched to a new onc - the nurses there gave me Decadron (a steroid) and Zofran (anti-nausea) without my knowledge. This caused me terrible stomach cramping, constipation and insomnia for three miserable days. When I complained they apologized and then continued my treatment without any pre-meds. The only side-effects I ever got were with the Navelbine - just some diarrhea which lasted about 3 hours. With the Herceptin alone I don't get any pre-meds and haven't experienced any side effects at all, not even a runny nose. It's interesting that different oncologist's practice medicine so differently!