Anyone having Hercep.w/chemo other than a taxane?

Joanne58

I'm at a crossroads with my chemo and hope to get some advice.  I have pre-existing foot neuropathy (idiopathic and genetic, not diabetic), but the 1st 2 txs of AC doubled the numbness in my feet (Cytoxin is to blame, most likely). I iced my feet for tx 3 of AC and it seemes to be holding steady--no increased numbness.  Also taking B6.  My onc. says I won't be getting the 12 weekly taxotere with Herceptin as planned--too risky.  She's thinking of jumping to the year of Hercep. after the 4th tx of AC, Dec. 30th.  I'm waiting for her to consult with other onc.s more experienced with Herceptin.  I don't want to bail out of chemo too soon, but I don't want to possibly be in a wheel chair too soon, either.  Thanks for any info on other chemos used with Herceptin. 

Joanne

revkat

Joanne, things really slow down here late at night. I'm not Her2+, but I do know that there is someone on this board who had herceptin with Navelbine -- not even the AC. I think the thought is just to get some kind of chemo into you. 

Joanne58

Thanks so much for responding, revkat.  I'll check out the Navelbine. I know you're correct--chemo along with Hercep. seems to work better.  Just wish I could fit into the current standard of care regimen and rest at ease about it.

septembersong

Hi Joanne,

By now your treatment plan is probably in place, and I'm interested to hear what the final decision was.

I had 12 treatments of Taxol with Herceptin, and began to experience numbness in my feet after the second treatment. It's been more than two years since I finished chemotherapy (Oct. 08; I finished with Herceptin in July 09). The numbness progressed during treatment, and seems to be a permanent side effect. I completely understand why you and your doctor want to avoid this. I wish my doctor had been more responsive to my queries about this from the beginning.

Good luck with your treatment! And do let us know if you find any remedies for that neuropathy.

swimangel72

Hi Joanne - I had 4 months of Navelbine with Herceptin (thanks for remembering revkat - hope you're doing well!) I had 4 different oncologists agree with this unorthodox tx plan - the Navelbine didn't cause hair loss or heart problems...........I did get a bit of neuropathy in my treatment arm (left side) but it wasn't serious and I had no permanent damage. I hope by now you're onc has put you on a treatment that reduces your risk for neuropathy. Good luck with everything.

Joanne58

Thanks for your interest and good wishes, septembersong and swimangel72.  I'm on day 5 of my last chemo--Adriamycin without the Cytoxin this time.  My bilateral foot neuropathy has continued to remain steady--no increase, thank heaven.  Although I'm glad I won't be risking further numbness to my feet (no taxotere or taxol), I'm having to hold on to my onc.'s confidence and a combination of my own faith and "gut" in the decision to proceed with just Herceptin from here on out.  I was offered Xeloda with Herceptin as an option--any opinions?  But something just keeps telling me that the chemo I've had is sufficient, combined with the Herceptin, possible rads and 5 yr. hormone treatment. I'll let you know if anything changes in this plan.  I see a new onc. next appt. since mine is on maternaty leave.  As far as what I'll do to treat my increased neuropathy from chemo, I'll probably be taking amino acid-type supplements in a few weeks (my onc., neurologist and onc. pharmacist advised against taking them during chemo).  I was told that the numbness from my familial neuropathy will most likely never go away, but I hope to keep it from escalating faster than my grandmother's and father's experience. 

Thanks again for your posts!