Reaction to Herceptin

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Stickerlady
Stickerlady Member Posts: 31
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I had my first Herceptin given to me on July 1. I was given Tylenol, and Benadryl incase of a reaction. About half way through my Herceptin I  started to feel COLD. I started to shake I was so cold so I told my nurse I am so cold and she went to get me a blanket and when she returned she said you are not cold this is a reaction and turned off the Herceptin, at this point I was shaking so hard, all the nurses were in front of me and My Dr. was there. They gave me the narcotic Demerol in my port and I started to feel really drugged and after a few minutes my shaking stopped. They continued to take my blood pressure and tempature very often. I think my blood pressure went up and my temp went down. After a break from the Herceptin they started it back up slower and was given it with some fluids.  As I continued the Herceptin my temp started to go up. It was at 97.4 during the reaction and when I got home it was 100.8 all night and the next morning it was 100.4 but was normal by that night. Has anyone else had this kind of reaction? The Dr. had decided to give me the Herceptin every 3 weeks and I will have the Tylenol and Benadryl PRE meds and then I will be given the Herceptin over a 3 hour period. I hope this never happens again. Do you think I will run a fever every time? I felt Great except my nose was dripping alot after the fever stopped. Has anyone else had this happen? What did you do? I want to continue this Herceptin because I feel like it is a Cancer protection. I am Cancer Free but I was Stage 1 Grade 1 no Node involvement. My tumor was very small and they got all clean margins with the Lumectomy.

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2009

    HI Stickerlady - you and I have the same pathology it seems except I chose a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction because I didn't want radiation. I'm so sorry you had a bad reaction to your first Herceptin tx.  It is common - by slowing down the infusion and giving it with saline, it shouldn't happen again. If it does - you might wish to ask your onc if you could get the Herceptin once every 2 weeks - the dose of Herceptin will be less so my thinking is your SEs won't be as severe. I received Herceptin for a year ever two weeks and never had any problems except with the runny nose and damaged fingernails. My infusion was over in an hour - sitting there for three hours would really have taxed my patience. Good luck - you came to the right place for help!  Another web site with a ton of information for Her2+ breast cancer patients is www.her2support.org.

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  • tooyoungtohavebc
    tooyoungtohavebc Member Posts: 779
    edited July 2009

    I had the chills and shakes real bad with my first dosage only. Mine kicked in after I left and I could barely drive the car, but after that I was ok. Still get the nose drip and the stuff makes me tired. Hope next ones go better for you!

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited July 2009

    I had chills and a fever with my first dose, but mine didn't happen until hours later.  After that there were no problems.  Well other than the runny nose and crummy nails, but that passes too.

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