Perjeta am nervous

labhusky

hi ladies, my dr decided to add perjeta to the mix after my 1st chemo treatment so when I go for my 2nd tomorrow I have a new med to worry about. Anyone been on it and can tell me how it went? Lordy I'm nervous, thank you

Tinkerbells

actually it's a great thing- perjeta is a great drug with proven benefits. The latest round of studies called its benefit "unprecedented."

It's very tolerable as far as side effects go. The first few rounds give you diarrhea - you can take Imodium if you need- but for me that ended once I was off taxol. No diarrhea since.

Good luck!

Mommato3

I had some diarrhea from the Perjeta too. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't go anywhere though. Otherwise it was pretty easy.

ElaineTherese

I had Perjeta with Herceptin and Taxol. The Taxol gave me diarrhea. I get no side effects from Herceptin alone. I have no idea what Perjeta's side effects contributed to the Taxol/Herceptin cocktail, but they didn't make the side effects worse.

Bippy625

perjeta and I have a love hate relationship.

LOVE that chit cuz it melts HEr2 tumors like magic. Hated the diarrhea. But all of us are different. You may not have it, but it is the most complained of SE. Just be sure you are prepared. Onco can give you stuff and OTC works ok for some. I did crap my pants more than once. Sorry if that is too much.. Full disclosure so you are not caught unawares. It can come on with no warning. Usually after 10 days post chemo, it tapers off.

It is good to have it in your arsenal....it will not last forever. You can do it!

labhusky

thank you for the consensus of diarrhea. I had that after my 1st round w/o perjeta. I wasn't super miserable but it wasn't like a usual case that comes and then disappears either. But I can handle it! I just hate to be a worry wart all the time but I guess that's how I work thru stuff and you know I do move on. Then I'm one of those that say it wasn't so bad. For me a good thing

Stephmoen

yes the big D as people call it and it doesn't start for me until 4-5 days post last time wasn't too bad my dr perscribed lomotil worked well on managing it I am on #3 as we speak and my tumor has melted away can barely feel it now hoping for a pcr thanks to that perjeta!!!

ThePrincess

Is there anyone that doesn't have that as a side effect?? After my first Prejeta, I'm scheduled to be on a trip day 5,6 and 7? It's a 5 hour car ride each way with not a lot of places to stop??

Astarte

I take so many pain meds it doesn't give me the runs! I took perjeta and it didn't work so well for me.

ThePrincess

Astarte - what do you mean Prejeta didn't work so well for you? Thanks in advance!!

Astarte

I am having to do a round of taxol after I should have been done and progressed to radiation.

april25

My oncologist said it was the taxotere that was giving me diarrhea more than the Perjeta. I think the actual chemo drugs are harsher than the targeted stuff. Just try the Perjeta and if things get bad, tell your MO and they will see if they can alter the dose or switch things around, or get you prescriptions or other suggestions to help you get through. There are lots of options.

Most people manage the Perjeta. I actually switched MOs in order to get Perjeta! If you're HER2+, it's supposed to really help Herceptin work better. Don't be afraid of something before you try it, because SEs can be totally individual and unpredictable, so you'll just have to see for yourself and see what works for you. But definitely tell you MO of any and all problems. They are there to help you with SEs,

jcfree

I had Perjeta along with Herceptin and Taxotere for 6 rounds of chemo treatment. Now on Herceptin/Perjeta infusions every three weeks. Have not had any problems with these. Just runny eyes and nose to deal with but I think the Herceptin is the culprit for these SE's as I have read.

vogliodipiu

i have been on taxol, perjeta and herceptin since march 30th (finished an A/C chemo for 8 weeks before that) and i agree with most of the ladies here, taxol gives me the shits, not just the first week..basically ever since i started. the only good thing i noticed is that my hair is starting to grow back on this chemo..just very fluffy and sparse, kinda like a freshly hatched chick and i shave it but still. i have 3 more treatments left and i cannot wait to finish, just can't wait, so sick of being bald. and looking like a transparent alien..but hang in there, i hear perjeta is supposed to be awesome!!

kh04

theprincess:

I finished 2 rounds of tchp, going the 3rd next week.

I narmally will stay home for the first week(of couse will go walk and daily activities keeps life normal). Of couse it is more convenient if I need go bathroom anytime. Since I know the d could happen anytime when I going out(stores, mall, playgrounds), I will put a pad before I go further trip just incase I could not make it on time, of couse bring extra clothes just in case. So far nothing really happened but I will have a peace of mind if prepared. Ive noticed sudden temperature changes will cause the d. (I remembered I put on a toddler diaper one time, please dont laugh, its better than making a mess)

The d was really bad the second week of the first round. The second round so far seems very mild and some days no d at all.

ThePrincess

Ok - am done now with chemo!

Here's my experience w/Taxol +H&P

dose 1 - Taxol and H&P - the H&P at the first dose is a DOUBLE dose. Did cause D, but not the emergency accident kind, more like "I think I should find a bathroom in the near future" type and usually only once per day.

dose 2 - regular dose - since still having intermittent D, MO skipped perjeta

dose 3 - regular dose H&P - no D!

dose 4 - regular dose H&P - Small D on days 14 and 15, oddly. MO and I both feel it was the perjeta.

I know I really appreciated any info I could find before starting so I'm adding this here.

Good luck!