Herceptin as monotherapy (with no chemo ever) and side effects

Anonymous

Hi everyone,

I am new to the site and have searched far and wide but can't seem to find an answer to my question, which is, has anyone had Herceptin as a monotherapy or stand alone treatment, without ever having had any chemo, and if so, what were the side effects?  I am very active with weights and power yoga and am afraid of not being able to sustain my normal workout routine while in treatment.  I'm also leary of weight gain, which I've noticed many have complained about, but that's usually always when the herceptin follows a regimen of taxol or some other menopause rendering type of chemo drug.  I'm very happy that my Onc has agreed to give me the Herceptin alone but am not finding that many have received this same treatment protocol.  I do understand that this is not the traditional protocol but I refuse to put chemo into my body...personal choice.  I would be most appreciative if there is anyone out there that has done just Herceptin and Tamoxifen, if you could please share your experience as far as side effects are concerned.  Thanks a bunch!

Dx: Triple Positive, Stage 1, Grade 3, 8 mm with highest HER2 over expression ever seen at Mayo in Phx

DBL Mast 6/15/11 with single stage reconstruction using silicone implants and alloderm

Recurrence 6/1/12 in reconstructed breast near original cancer site. 2nd surgery on 6/25/12 with clear margins.  

christina0001

I have had chemo, and now I am just taking the herceptin. I have had zero side effects from the herceptin.

SLB11

Westiemommy: I am wondering also if anyone has had herceptin followed by tamoxifen without chemo. I just had a mastectomy on October 18 to remove my left breast 7.6cm of DCIS within this area the final pathology report showed a 4mm of invasive cancer- triple positive.