Dropping Herceptin

GigiV
GigiV Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I really cannot afford Herceptin. Any of you Her2 positive survivors who did not take Herceptin? What are the risks of dropping it and choosing alternative meds? At this point, I'm thinking of completing just the traditional chemo and rads. Please help, really need advice and encouragement. Thanks.

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2008

    Gigi,

    Check the maker of herceptin, Genentech's web site, http://www.herceptin.com/ for info about those who can't afford the drug.  Your oncology office may be able to help with this too.

    Also, another member here has put together a great web site with financial resources.  http://bb67.wikispaces.com  

    I hope you can find a way to take herceptin.  It is an important drug for us her2+ girls.

    Good luck,

    Bethie

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited November 2008

    How much risk depends on your stage. I'm stage I - if I did no chemo, I would have about a 20% chance of recurrance. The higher your stage, the more the risk of not throwing everything at it.

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited November 2008

    I would fight for the herceptin.  Your Onc's office should be able to tell you were to go in order to get the financial assistance or go to the Herceptin website.  My father did this for his kidney cancer chemo drugs.  Fight for it so you can get it.

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  • lisa39
    lisa39 Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Gigi, I'd fight like hell for Herceptin.  It cuts recurrence rates in half.  You don't want your BC coming back.  Once is bad enough!  Take Bethie's advice and try to get Herceptin for free.  It's your life, girl! Let us know how you do...

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  • lafera12
    lafera12 Member Posts: 71
    edited November 2008

    Gigi

    Are you getting the Heceptin at the hospital?

    When I was going through chemo, I had to have the neulasta shot..it cost a lot of money, but my onc. ordered it...With that bill and the bill for all my treatments--my insurance only covered part of it, the balance is up to me...so I called the hospital billing dept., I qualified for a reduced rate on the bills-  See if you hospital has any plans for you to get..

    Angie

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited November 2008

    Talk to your onc about it. Tell him/her that you just can't afford it.

    I ran into a similar problem. Even though my insurance paid a part of my herceptin, I was left with a $1200 co-pay every 3 weeks. That was more than I receive in SSD monthly.  Bless my onc, he wrote off my co-pay each treatment, so I could continue treatment.

    Long story, but I had to get a similar agreement from my rad onc, so I could afford radiation.

    It doesn't hurt to ask, and see if they can help. 

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  • HappyTrisha
    HappyTrisha Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2008

    Gigi, I am HER+ and I can tell you that there is no way I would have considered going without herceptin.  Before we had herceptin, people who had our type of cancer did not survive.  It is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.  Please exhaust every avenue before you consider going without.  I believe that you are playing russian roulette with your health if you do otherwise.

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2008

    Hi Gigi,

    What are the characteristics of your bc?  If you had positive nodes, I would without a doubt do the herceptin. 

    I just had my 7 year anniversary.  I was highly HER+++ but in 2001 they did not offer herceptin unless you were Stage 4 so I did not have herceptin nor was it offered.  I only did 4 rounds of AC chemo and rads and so far I am NED. 

    Good Luck!

    Debbie

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  • KLynn
    KLynn Member Posts: 1,407
    edited November 2008

    Gigi, I have to say I really agree with all the ladies here, Bethie has the right idea, try contacting the drug company..Genentech is certainly not one of the pharma companies in trouble.. I would fight with everything I had to stay on herc..I was on it for 1 yr. 8 yrs ago, and now I'm on it for the last 3 yrs..I do believe it is the best drug for the trip +++ ladies . I would also have your office look into it for you, I know my doc's office works very hard for their patients....Good luck Gigi, hugs Klynn

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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2008

    I also am Her2+, but after speaking with two oncologists, they both said that I didn't qualify because of the size of the tumor. You have to have this with chemo, and chemo show that much change in the survival rate.  Both said that the risk of the side effects outweighed the outcome.This was two years ago, and at that time, only Stages II-IV were receiving Herceptin.  The game plan is changing, however, and I think that you should at least contact the makers of Herceptin and see what can be done.  It's more than a choice, it is your life.

    However, I am also letting you know that I am still cancer free, with no rads, no chemo, and only on an AI.

    Jennifer

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  • GigiV
    GigiV Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2008

    Thanks ladies. Your comments made me realize I should fight to get herceptin and not easily give up. Just visited my onco, told him I can't afford it. He said not to worry because he will enroll me in the free trial. Thank God! I almost cried when I heard it.

    By the way, I'm stage IIIc, 4cm tumor size, 16/22 nodes positive, ER-/PR-/Her2+. I was diagnosed only in September 2008. I'll have my portacath placed tomorrow and 2nd chemo on Thursday. I must admit I'm scared and sad but I try not to think about it by going to work in between chemo.

    Take care,

    Gigi 

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  • lisa39
    lisa39 Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Gigi - that's great news! - about you getting Herceptin for free, I mean.  See what happens when you stand up for yourself - don't stop doing that -ever! Good luck with the portacath.  I have one and it has made getting chemo and H. so much easier, though I don't love the little disc in my chest.  It'll be sore for a few days, just take it easy.  I know you're scared and I know you're sad.  This is probably the most traumatic thing that's ever happened to you.  And boy, is it ever traumatic.  I still can't believe it sometimes.  But speaking as someone who's starting to come out the other side, there is life after BC.  You'll make it.

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited November 2008

    GigiV, I'm so glad to hear that.  Smile

    I truely think that Herceptin is our miracle drug.

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited November 2008

    good luck on everything Gigi.  Remeber to mark where your bra strap is before they put in the port.  You don't want the strap going across or rubbing the port and who wants to waste money on new bras. Good luck

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited November 2008

    Herceptin is EXTREMELY important, and a piece of cake compared to chemo. Hardly any side effects at all. Good luck to you!

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited November 2008

    Gigi - you are one of the people Herceptin was made for!

    I am so glad that you can take this drug.

    Best wishes - in a year, this will all be done, and you will be back to your life.

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