Heart Medicines Seem to Reduce Risk of Serious Cardiac Damage

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Heart Medicines Seem to Reduce Risk of Serious Cardiac Damage in Women Taking Herceptin
January 10, 2017
A small study suggests that heart medicines, such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors, taken along with Herceptin can reduce the risk of serious heart damage in women diagnosed with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer. Read more...

UnwillingParticipant

I have only had one dose of Herceptin and two of lower-dose, weekly paclitaxel.  (I'm a senior and taking the "old lady" treatments.)  The day I was supposed to have my 3rd paclitaxel, I was in surgery having my gallbladder removed.  They said go home and rest.  The next week, I was in my cardiologist's office getting an EKG just before I was to get my 2nd dose of Herceptin, and it showed I was having an MI.  I was sent for an immediate cardiac cath, showing rising enzyme levels and a high troponin level.  Everyone assumed I was having that MI, but I wasn't.  I had no blockages at all.  My left ventricle was greatly enlarged.  If it's typical Herceptin-induced cardiomyopathy, what do I do now?  After only one dose, showing a reduced ejection fraction, I have to wonder if they will allow me to have any more.  Also, I was told that on low-dose paclitaxel I wouldn't lose my hair.  Several days ago, my scalp got really, really sore, knew what that meant, and sure enough, I lost a lot of hair in the shower.  Evidently I am extra sensitive to these drugs.  I'm on the cardiac strengthening drugs, so maybe if my EF comes back up I can try again, but I'm not hopeful that I'll be able to continue. 

MinusTwo

Unwilling - It is my understand that any damage from Herceptin is reversible - unlike damage from Adriamycin. Hope you EF does come back sooner rather than later.

UnwillingParticipant

Damage from Herceptin is NOT always reversible, but most of the time a patient can continue unless it falls too low permanently.  They allow 3 chances at it before they pull someone off it for good.  I have been taken off for a month.  That sets back everything.  I'm having another PET scan Tuesday to see if my unclean margin left anything behind that is growing.  I was jarred hearing the receptionist making the appointment because the doc said nothing about that during our appointment!  I had an echo yesterday and don't know the results yet.  It was 45 during my cardiac cath.  If it doesn't improve, or if they find more cancer growing on Tuesday, I'm done.  I really only wanted palliative care in the first place and this is where I draw the line.  I gave it a shot, and now I'm done.  I will never consider more surgery under any circumstances,  and the way my year of treatment keeps getting stretched out beyond that year is more than I can handle.  I am too old for this, too tired for this, and too repulsed by the whole process.

sandikr

I too am an "old lady". Small cancer found last May. Had lumpectomy with nodule check (all clear) Stage 1. At first told only radiation needed. When pathology came back Her2+ doctor said chemo, herceptin and radiation. I too fought the chemo but eventually gave in. Had 10 of 12 combined taxol/herceptin weekly treatments. Quit after 10 because I couldn't even get out of bed. After a 2 week break, I had the final 2 weekly herceptins. Had 1 of the 3 week/yearly herceptin infusions and a echo and my ejection fraction dropped. They stopped treatments for the next 3 weeks, another MUGA scan and I started again. Had 3 of the 3 week treatments and an echo and EF dropped again. Now doctors says no more. Not happy with doctor because I argued against chemo and she insisted I couldn't do just herceptin. Still waiting for a call back after her consultation with my heart doctor. Been told heart damage can be irreversible in older patients.