Starting Herceptin this week

Options
lafera12
lafera12 Member Posts: 71
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I'm starting my Herceptin this week for a year---I was taking it with Taxol from the end of April to the beginning of August.  I was getting pre-drugs then (Adivan, Pepsid, Benedryl and Decatron).  Do they give you any predrugs with just the Herceptin?

Angie

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited October 2008

    I just get Benadryl with my Herceptin. I go every 3 weeks until January. Can't really tell I'm getting anything. I feel great! Runny nose sometimes, but that's so minor. Good luck to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • azsunn
    azsunn Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2008

    I dont get any pre drugs with the Herceptin and feel fine with it.  The only side effect I've had is a continued suppressed WBC.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited October 2008

    I completed my year of Herceptin in July....never was given any pre-meds....only se's....drippy nose for a couple of days and I do believe it slowed my hair growth....not much but it has grown more rapidly since  I completed Herceptin.  Good Luck to you...we are so fortunate to have this drug.

    Nancy

    edited to add....I was on the every week protocol.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ivylane
    Ivylane Member Posts: 544
    edited October 2008

    Angie:  I found Herceptin to be a cake walk after AC and Taxol.  I had the runny nose thing too.  No pre drugs for me either,  I thank God for this drug. 

    Good luck....you'll be fine.

    Maureen 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pmm
    pmm Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2008

    I started Herceptin with my Chemo drugs in May 08.  I got the Herceptin weekly until I finished Chemo on Aug. 22 and now get it every 3 weeks.  I don't get any pre-meds and feel fine.  Maybe a little tired the next day but that is all.  I get it in my medi-port.  I am so thankful for the Herceptin especially after seeing the movie Living Proof and what the doctor had to go through just to get it approved. 

    Good Luck with your treatments. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • juliejfsrj
    juliejfsrj Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2008

    Hi,  I think everyone has to get benedryl with their herceptin.  I only have 5 treatments to go, and about the halfway mark, they let me take just 25 mg as opposed to the 50mgs that they started me with.  

    I feel perfectly fine the first few days after the herceptin, but usually 4 or 5 days later, I become exhausted and get very pale skin with my runny nose.  It usually gives me diarrhea the day after treatment.  And I've also had some issues with hair and nails.  I did not have chemo first, just radiation, I also am taking tamoxifen.  Good luck to you, it's not too bad at all.

    Julie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited October 2008

    I finished my year of Herceptin 6 months ago. I got no pre meds. At first I had just a little runny nose and diarrhea. After a few treatments, I didn't even get those side effects.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited October 2008

    Hi all,

    I am going for a 2nd opinion but right now my Onc is saying Taxol/Herceptin every week for 12 weeks.  Then, Herceptin for a year every 3 weeks.  Anyone else do Taxol/Herceptin without the AC?

    I am so scared of the side effects, losing my hair, etc.  WIll be starting sometime the beginning of November.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lafera12
    lafera12 Member Posts: 71
    edited October 2008

    Cristic,

    My first round of chemo was A/C, but I only had that for four treatments.  Then I started the Taxol/Herceptin treatments, I had 12 treatments--three weeks on then had one week off, till I was done. Now Herceptin every three weeks for a year...So you are not alone in this..

    Angie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited October 2008

    My oncologist recommended a very different treatment for me (and 3 other oncs agreed with him). He put me on Herceptin every two weeks with Navelbine for 4 months (a "light" chemo since it wouldn't cause hair loss or damage my heart). I finished the Navelbine and now take Herceptin alone. The only time I got a premed was when I switched to a new onc - the nurses there gave me Decadron (a steroid) and Zofran (anti-nausea) without my knowledge. This caused me terrible stomach cramping, constipation and insomnia for three miserable days. When I complained they apologized and then continued my treatment without any pre-meds. The only side-effects I ever got were with the Navelbine - just some diarrhea which lasted about 3 hours. With the Herceptin alone I don't get any pre-meds and haven't experienced any side effects at all, not even a runny nose. It's interesting that different oncologist's practice medicine so differently!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories