Herceptin Weekly?

nmoss1000

Hi Fellow Fighters!

I was wondering if Herceptin weekly for 12 months seems like allot? I have been looking at other members who have similar diagnosis as mine and it looks like the majority did Herceptin in conjunction with their Tax & Carbo every three weeks for 6 rounds, then for the remaining of the year every 3 weeks. Also, any insight to what may be prescribed after it is all over (terrified about tamoxifin, does it help +++)? I am pre menopause going in.

I just received my chemo schedule last week. Chemo class tomorrow, port in next week and then off to the races the following week. Any insight would be helpful

mommyx3

nmoss1000-Hi so sorry you had to join this sight, but there is alot of support and advice here.  I was dx in Oct & Nov. 4th I started weekly tx of Taxol and Herceptin.  I know I will be on it for a while since I am satge 4 so I cannot give you any insight as to how long you may receive it.  Your dr. may be giving it weekly to attack the cancer aggressively especially since you are pre menopause.  I am 36 and that is one reason why I receive tx weekly.

sheila888

I also did Herceptin weekly starting with the first Taxol.

At that time i didn't have any choices.

The dose will be higher for every 3 weeks treatment.

Basia

I just finished the chemo portion of TCH on Jan 26th. I received weekly herceptin infusions for the first 6 weeks and then it switched to very three weeks. I will now be gettin herceptin very three weeks for the remainder of the year. My onc mentioned weekly infusions in the beginning but after we spoke and I told him I had young children at home, he agreed weekly visitS would be too much for me.

This is scary, but it is manageable. I didn't have too many side effects, every one is different. Stay on rop of the anti nasseau meds, don't wait till you feel sick to take them.

nmoss1000

Hi Ladies

Thank you for sharing your experiences.  My concern is how it will affect my heart and waistline. I have reach Herceptin is really rough on your heart and cause perm damage? I am 41 and have no history and pre meno so I am sure its why my onc choose this approach. It just seems a bit high maintenance and dangerous.

 About the nausea, I will stay on top of those but I also am starting Accupuncture this week, anyone try it?

sheila888

Herceptin doesnt give you nausea.

And your hair start growing during the treatment.

They will do a Muga Scan on your heart before chemo and in between Herceptin.

It didn't effect my heart and I'm much older than you are.

I see you already reached your 5 posts.

I will post the rules for the newbies so you know whats happening.

sheila888

ALL NEWCOMERS ARE ALLOWED  5 POSTS IN 24 HOUR PERIOD UNTIL THEY REACH 50 POSTS.

YOU HAVE UNLIMITED PRIVATE MESSAGE POSTINGS BY CLICKING ON THE PERSON'S NAME YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE.

JUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WHEN THE NEW PAGE OPENS UP.

I HOPE THIS WILL HELP ALL THE NEWBIES.

SHEILA

anonymice

I'm doing a year of Herceptin - I was wondering if it has anything to do with HOW ++ you are as well.  I just found out I'm Her2+++ (after reading my pathology report again, now that I understand a little more).  On the other hand, I have IBC and they hit that with everything they've got.

InTwoPlaces

Pam,

I think 1 year of Herceptin is standard. I had 4 * AC and I'm currently on my 7th weekly TH (Taxol and Herceptin) After that I will have radiation 33 days and continue iwith Herceptin for the rest of the year......And 5 years of Femara...

NatureGrrl

My dx is very similar to yours.  I had Herceptin weekly with Taxol (after A/C), like others, then was given the choice of once every 3 weeks at a higher dose/longer infusion time, or once a week for 1/3 the time and dose.  And durn it all, without pulling my records, I can't remember what I did -- I think I did the every-3-weeks. 

The one year is standard.  Herceptin, for me, was a cake walk.  It's considered biological and not chemical, and for most women there are no real SE's, so that part should be OK for you.

The majority of women have no heart damage from herceptin so try not to let that possibility worry you.  They will give you a baseline MUGA before you start herceptin and should do one every 3 months to monitor.  I was one of the rare ones who had to stop after 7 months, but my cardiologist (after doing a heart cath and looking up close and personal!) said he would call it "mild impairment" and corrected me firmly when I used the word "damage."  I'm fine now.  Will I have problems down the road?  Maybe -- but I've now been part of three women's lives as they die from cancer and heart problems are often easier to fix than cancer.

But, most of all, I'd take your concerns to your oncologist and his/her staff and ask them questions until you feel comfortable with the information.  You don't *have* to do any of the treatments, but herceptin is a real gift for those of us who are her+.

Best of luck and a big hug. 

nmoss1000

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for all of your insight but after a visit to my Onc today and I am more confused as ever! He is proposing the following next week...

Tuesday - Port in & Take 8 MG of Decadron - general anesthesia not local.

Weds- Herceptin treatment

Thursday - Taxotere & Carboplatin

Friday Neulasta Shot - in office 

This really seems like allot in week? Who has this kind of time. Health first but this seems really extreme. Anyone else take Taxotere & Carbo not Taxol? He is insisting on the 52 rounds of Herceptin:( .

 Also my MUGA was LVEF was 72% is that good? 

NatureGrrl

I had A/C first, not TC, but your schedule sounds pretty normal. And as Cindy said, after the first week you won't have the port placement and should have herceptin at the same time as your TC so that will mean fewer trips.  Neulasta shots the next day are normal -- they help keep your white blood counts up (and therefore your immune system).  One caveat:  some people react to the neulasta with strong aches and pains.  I read about, and tried, taking generic Claritin (not Claritin-D) for the rest of my treatment -- doesn't work for everyone but it seems to work for quite a few of us and I didn't have to deal with aches (mine were really bad) after the first shot.  Ask your dr. before you take any med (OTC, herbal, or otherwise) (some things may interfere with chemo, too) but if he OK's it, it's worth keeping in mind.

It's a lot of changes and a bit overwhelming but it will become more routine quickly.  I used my infusion time for R&R -- I was taking care of my mother (dementia and cancer) so time alone with imposed rest was something I took advantage of.

Your MUGA score is great.

Hang in there, and keep asking questions (us and your dr.).

anonymice

Thanks, intwoplaces.  I trust my team but it is always good to know your treatment plan is "normal".

nmoss1000

Hi ladies



PaminWV your exactly right. From what I can tell it seems on par. It's a little bit after meeting with nurse who was supposed explain all of this to me, ended up explaining only 10% of what I need to know and leaving me waiting for 1 and half for a 15 min "lesson" and the rest I learned from the boards, it really made me second guess my treatment plan coupled with my anxiety and fear.



I'm in a precarious predicament I have one of the best onc in the state, love him not his practice so much. Very cattle call feel, not to cherry and very depressing and the staff are rude and obviously uninterested in helping. I'm nit sure what to do at this point. What really makes a good onc if the protocol is the protocol ?

Letlet

If your insurance covers it, you can get the Neulasta shot at home. Some patients self-administer the shot, in my case my hubby did it the next day after chemo. It was nice not to drive up there just so I can get a shot.

NatureGrrl

For me, what made a good oncologist was his compassion, and the compassion and caring of his staff.  Cancer and treatment suck but the right people can really provide a warm hand and heart and make a terrible time a lot more bearable.  Everyone on his staff knew me by name, came and talked to me at various times during my infusions, got to know me, and treated me with respect and even, yes, love.  When my mother died in the middle of my treatment I got lots of hugs and kind comments and understanding.  They were all incredible.  Their focus is to provide a caring environment and they excel at it.

Edited to add:  I expect him to be knowledgeable as well, and up to date on information, and willing to take all the time I need to answer questions, etc.  Quick to respond to phone calls (within 24 hours unless it's more urgent) and get me test information promptly.  Respectful of my fears and concerns.  But that's my baseline for any dr.

drsfelix

Hello I m a breast ca survivor and a dr as well . Herceptin can be given initially weekly and there are studies showing less cardiac risks with this regimen . I actually preferred to have weekly myself for 6 months before went on 3 weekly , remember the dose is the same regardless how you take ; I mean on 3weekly you take larger dose .

As far as tamoxifen there are plenty of evidence of the benefits , no doubts , sure there are risks , we know by now there is no free lunch ... Don't we ?? Try and see how you feel , each one of us respond differently . Have a go with no preconceptions . Good luck ! All the best :-)