Taking Taxotere & Herceptin pre surgery ?

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kpj
kpj Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I am grade 3 node and HER2 positive and having chemo before surgery.  Had my fist session of chemo 2 weeks ago and herception 1 week ago.  Had lots of side effects to chemo, bad bone/muscle pain, boils on chest and neck, constipation and diarrhea, tiredness, sore mouth etc etc.  The pain has now subsided and tummy, mouth getting back to normal, but now got a drippy nose and soooooo tired.  Is this the herceptin?? or am I just a wuss.  Can't bear the thought that this will all start again next week when I have my 2nd chemo.  Does anyone else feel like this, or had similar symptoms.  Does it get better or worse??

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2010

    I had no tx prior to surgery, but wanted to share my experience with Herceptin and Taxotere post surgery.  Most of the se's are from Taxotere.  It's a tough drug and seems to hit everyone a little different.  I had a horrible time on this drug and could not be given my 3rd/last cycle of it due to developing a severe toxic reaction.  I'm currently finishing up one year of Herceptin, (just had my 13th this week), and it's very tolerable on its own.  The only consistent se's I have noticed is the drippy nose and blood in my nose.  I have stiffness and some joint pain as well, but this could also be from Tamoxifen Undecided.

    So sorry you have to be here......sending hugs and best wishes your way!

    ((( ))) Beach

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  • kpj
    kpj Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2010

    Hi

    Thanks for getting back to me, I'm just at the beginning of all this and although up to now have been really positive I am just feeling pretty fed up today - hair just starting to come out........ Its good know theres someone out there to talk to.  Sending special wishes & hugs back to you from England. KPJ

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited February 2010

    I agree with beach - these SE are from taxotere which is also known as "taxoterrible"!  I had six rounds and had many SE.  I continued on with only herceptin - been a year and a half so far now and have little SE - nothing like the ones I experienced from taxotere.  I also get the drippy nose and a little muscle aching but not that hard to deal with :>  You will get thru this, and if it's doing this to you imagine what it is doing to the cancer!  

    Talk with your doctor about your SE and they should be helping you to manage all of them.  Hang in there!!

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  • bcfighter
    bcfighter Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2010
    I am also taking these meds and seem to be having the same symptoms as you are. I had my first treatment on the 3rd and have my next on the 24th. After my 1st treatment I had a little nausea, diarrhea, sore mouth,runny nose and headache. By the 6th day I had the most awful body ache ever. I wasn't sure if it was from the chemo or the neulasta they gave me the day after. So you are not alone I feel your pain. Take care!
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  • hopetoheal
    hopetoheal Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2010

    My mum is taking it pre surgery but except feeling a little tired, we had no side effect, thanks to god.

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited February 2010

    Hang in there girls!  Much as it sucks, I had chemo before surgery too, and no cancer anywhere at surgery time!  The chemo sucks, but it does work!

    Laura

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2010

    kpj: There are lots of stories on here where the tumour has been reduced in size to even not being palpable after neo adjunctive chemo (such as fightinhrd123's post above) - those stories will get you through this!!! I think it's amazing, because you know the chemo is killing it.

    Sue

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  • kpj
    kpj Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2010

    The chemo does suck but if it kills it I can cope.  Hair started coming out last night which was sad, weird, and scary.  Feel alot better today but guess that'll change when I have my next chemo on  25th (we seem to be doing this together bcfighter! sending positive thoughts )  Do the side effects get any worse as you go thru this? or do you just get used to them?  I know you will all help me thu this thanks thanks

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  • 1marmalade1
    1marmalade1 Member Posts: 308
    edited February 2010

    I am also doing neo-adjuvant, I am 5-6cms., Her2+.  Am on Tax and Herceptin.

    Had my 2nd Tax on Wednesday.  My first treatment went ok, only problem was terrible bone paid, but I think that was from the Neulasta shot the following day.  Kicked in about 4 days later. Other than that, no major complaints, except skin dryness. 

    My first 4 tx were supposed to be AC, but after the first 2, the tumour was not shrinking.  They switched me to the Tax after that.  Between the 1st & 2nd Tax he could tell the tumour was finally shrinking.  Now at least I know it's doing its job!

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