Safe to have Echo & Herceptin on same day?

moonwolf

I have appointments for an Echo and my first Herceptin on the same day.  Now I wonder if that will put extra stress on the heart.  Should I have the Echo on a different day?

Maeve

Hi Moonwolf,

I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't be able to have your echo done on the same day as your treatment, an echo is just like a scan of the heart area to make sure your heart is functioning sufficiently.  They just want to make sure you don't have any functioning issues with your heart before they give you herceptin.   They are required to check your heart before treatment then every three months, that's just standard.  I finished herceptin Dec 08 and my heart was fine.  

Wishing you all the very best on the next round of treatments. 

GramE

I would say YES, but double check with your doctor. An echo is just a scan - nothing invasive, no dye, just lay there.  I had one Herceptin tx, then a MUGA scan, which involves taking some blood, mixing it with radioactive dye, then reinjecting it, then a scan.   I had both on the same day.   I have also had a DEXA scan and a cardiogram on the same day.  Once I am over at the hospital, I try to maximum the "event" and get as much done as I can in one trip.

Thursday I will have blood work, an onco appt, then Herceptin treatment.    Like killing 3 birds with one stone !!!  FYI, MY onco says an echo is not as good as a MUGA, but I am not a doctor.  

moonwolf

Thanks all.  I just thought that the ultrasound might stress the heart somewhat and then it'd be in a weakoned state to cope with the Herceptin.

GramE

You are welcome, moon.   The "only" stress is the first treatment...   I found I needed a large bag of saline WITH the herceptin to dilute it going in and to help hydrate.   They also slowed the drip to an hour because I was dizzy and had chills.   Speak up the INSTANT you feel something weird.   

I am having my next to last herceptin on Thursday - had 12 weekly ones with taxol, then every 3 weeks since.   I trust you have discussed a port -  it sure saves the veins and blood work is a breeze.    

angie27

Hi,

I think its perfectly fine, I had two echo done at the same time of herceptin treatment.