Anyone get acid on Herceptin?

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moonwolf
moonwolf Member Posts: 130

I am trying to find out what is causing my acid.  Has anyone had acid with Herceptin please?

Comments

  • jenbal
    jenbal Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2009

    If by "acid" you mean acid indigestion or heartburn, yes, I've had some of that. But I'm not sure if it's from the Herception or the chemo (I'm on TCH). Usually Tums or another OTC remedy works fine.

  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited July 2009

    I had terrible relux/heartburn on TCH chemo - used to take prevacid 2x/day and chug mylanta.  It improved tremendously once I was done w/ chemo.  I still have some symptoms, but I have recently read that antacids such as prevacid, pepcid, zantac, nexium, prilosec, etc cause rebound symptoms.  Meaning if you take them for a while, your body adapts, and then produces more acid than normal when you stop taking them.  I am trying to wean myself off the Prevacid now, and I finished Herceptin almost a year ago.

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited July 2009

    Thanks.  I had acid on chemo FEC, which went when I finished chemo, but it came back last week.  I've recently started on Herceptin. Most people seem to have chemo and Herceptin together it seems.  I'm looking for people who are just on Herceptin really.

    I really don't want to start on antacids cos of the rebound thing you mention.

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited August 2009

    orange - I wonder if the acid problem from Herceptin is permanent seeing as you still have it a year after finishing Herceptin? 

  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2009

    Moonwolf.....I had terrible acid reflux and trouble swallowing food while I was on FEC.  While I had many severe side effects during Taxotere and Herceptin, this was not one of them.  However, since I have been on Herceptin only, new acid problems have started.  It's not really acid reflux and swallowing is not an issue but it's pain that is occuring at top of my stomach, right under the middle of my rib cage.  My family doctor checked my out last week and when she pressed on that spot I jumped and screamed......she believes it's acid issues and told me to take a double dose of Zantac daily for one week, then switch to the regular dose for the following week and see if this gets better.  So far it hasn't changed and now I am experiencing a little nausea at times too......will keep you posted.  Have you seen your doctor about this?    

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited August 2009

    Beach - sorry about your problem.  Do let me know how you get on.

    My oncologist won't admit it's Herceptin behind it.  She says I am sensitive after chem, but I don't think so cos I finished that 4/5 months ago and I was OK til I started Herceptin.  She just says take anti-acid drugs.  I'm not keen to take them because I am afraid once I start I will have to stay on them for life and they will  make my oesteoporosis worse!

  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2009
    Thanks Moonwolf.....acid issues haven't changed much since my last post and I've been on Zantac for a week.  Will give it one more week and then I'm going off of it as I don't like taking these things either.  I know chemo attacks fast growing cells, thus the hair loss, mouth issues, etc.....I believe I read that stomach lining is included here, so maybe your onc is right and it just takes time for everything to get back to normal.  I guess like everything else, we just have to wait and see.  Cheers to our new level of required patience Wink.........all the best!!  
  • janet11
    janet11 Member Posts: 262
    edited August 2009

    FYI: I had bad reflux while on TCH and ended up taking something (can't remember what it was -- but it was over-the-counter) nightly while on chemo and for about 2 months afterwards. Then I was able to stop it.

    But it was the TCH, NOT the Herceptin alone, that caused  it as I was able to go off the acid reducers even while I was on Herceptin only...

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited August 2009

    I have had stomach issues all through treatment,I stopped chemo the last of January and am on Herceptin only, stoamch issues continue.My doctor prescribed carafate,it does wonders and has very few side effects.I notice a huge difference if I stop taking it.I could not take any of the anti acids,due to the rebound affect and they also diminish certain vitamins and minerals that need acid to be utilised. I also take DGL licorice.Jackie

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited August 2009

    panda - carafate sounds like it may be an option, but I see it coats the stomach and I wonder if, by doing that, it might stop absorption of nutrients?  I may talking rubbish though!

    Are you sure there is no rebound effect with it?

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited August 2009

    I had gastrits so bad I was in the hospital,they did an endoscope and my onc said my stomach(actually my duodenum) looked like a pepperoni pizza,sorry,don't mean to spoil pizza for anyone! I started on the carafate three times a day and my stomach felt so much better in a few weeks, of course, being averse to meds I stopped taking it.My stomach flared again and onc said to take it at least once a day while I am still on herceptin and for a while after as the herceptin takes so long to leave the system.I take it late at night. I lost over 30 pounds during chemo,I was not able to eat because of the stomach pain and queasiness.My stomach is one of my weak spots.The carafate has much fewer side effects than the anti acids, they really screw up absorption of B viramins and others.The thing is if your digestive tract is inflamed, that affects the absorption of everything,so it needs to be healed.I am eating good now and have gained back some of the weight.Without the carafate I have large bulky stools, when I take it,they are  normal.I also have more energy,I think because I am getting my food digested better.Jackie

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited October 2009

    panda -  woah missed your post - just found in inbox - sorry!  Were you having Herceptin on its own or alongside chemo?

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited October 2009

    That is OK, I have not checked in here in a few weeks.My stomach got bad after only two chemos,but it  continued while on just  herceptin if I stopped the carafate...had my last herceptin October 1!!! I am still taking the carafate and my stomach is so much better,I am eating like a pig..I still remember not being able to eat,so I enjoy every bite.

  • CMT
    CMT Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2010

    I haven't started Herceptin but had really bad reflux before being diagnosed with bc in October 2009. I have been on all the prescription medicines to the point of doubling doses and even tried some over the counter. Nothing was working. So I decided to try a remedy I read and heard about years before. Two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in one cup of water and sweetner. And it works!  I continue to take it during chemo.  Just as an fyi... when I first started taking it, I cut the ACV with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for about two weeks until my stomach got used to the mixture. Hope this helps someone.

  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2010

    Actually, now I don't think it was the Herceptin causing acid.  I think it was the garlic supplement I was taking.  I was OK when I stopped the garlic.

     CMT - thanks for the ACV tip.  I'll make a note of that.

  • vangoghpro
    vangoghpro Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2010

    I had terrible stomach issues on TCH. I couldn't even take NSAIDS as my stomach was so upset. A few months after chemo ended I had gall bladder surgery and have no bad stomach problems any more. The surgeon said 40% of women on similar chemo regimens end up with stomach problems.

  • my2boys
    my2boys Member Posts: 339
    edited February 2010

    I had terrible heartburn and acid reflux on TCH. I tried Tums, but they were useless.  My oncologist put me on Nexium while I was on chemo and I would take one pill each day for the first few days after a treatment and it was much better.  Once I finished the chemotherapy, the acid reflux went away.  I didn't feel it at all when I was on Herceptin only.

  • pdlc436
    pdlc436 Member Posts: 60
    edited February 2010

    Hi,

    I am almost done with Herceptin.  I had THE WORST acid reflux and heartburn while on TCH, and I do feel stomach pain sometimes still.  But my oncologist recommended probiotics (I take Bio-K pills) and they have made a HUGE difference.  During chemo I took pepsid AC and aloe juice.

    P. 

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