Triple Positivers/Chemo regimens and experiences

Hi, I am also newly diagnosed too.  My oncologist is recommending carboplatin, taxotere, and herception 6x; continuing on the herceptin out to a year. Hormone therapy and radiation treatment.  I have lumpectomy surgery next week. 

Have you had surgery?  

There is also the '2010 Sisters' topic for those of us just diagnosed this year that is active if you are interested and haven't seen it yet.

I am also triple positive.  I started Herceptin last month and will be adding on the Taxotere and Carboplatin next week.  I will do a total of six cycles of TCH then continue the Herceptin until next July and Tamoxifen will be added in once the chemo is done.  Usually they recommend 5 years of Tamoxifen though I think if you are post-menopausal they might consider a different drug, I'm not really sure since I am pre-menopausal so they have already told me I will definitely get Tamoxifen. 

If you haven't seen it already, in the Chemo forum there is a thread called "taxotere, carboplatin, and herceptin".  Some of those women are also triple positive, since they are getting herceptin they are all at least HER2+ but many are triple positive.  So you may also get some helpful info there.

I was triple pos. I did 4 rounds of dense dose A/C, 12 rounds of Taxol and Herceptin, then weekly Herceptin for 5 more months. I was allergic to the Herceptin, so they only did the load dose then put me on weekly for as long as I could tolerate it. The premeds they gave me to combat the allergy started wearing off so we stop short of the goal. I had a bilateral mast. so no radiation, and I had my ovaries out because I couldn't do Tamoxifen (liver disease). So far, I've been on Arimidex and now (with better luck so far) Femara. 

I see you just started chemo this Monday; I hope the SE's are not bad for you. Remember, if anything is to the extreme do not be shy about calling the onc. to discuss it. They can adjust nausea meds, add things to your infusion to make it easier to bear (saline, benadryl, ativan) so don't be a hard head and try to stick it out

Best wishes...I hope all of you just starting out have a relatively smooth journey on this leg. Rest up and drink lots of fluids! 

Hello!  I am also Triple positive.  Had Chemo up front 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin followed by another 12 weeks of FEC, then surgery (MRM) and 34 Rads.  It was a long run but doable with the support from the nurses, doctors, friends and family! 

Hang tough you WILL get thru this!

Hi Ladies, 

 I'm highly triple positive and five years out this summer, you can see my details below but the biggest thing for me with chemo was fatigue, rest when your body tells you to do so as it helps you heal.   

Herceptin has changed the whole prognosis for us, it's thankfully given us a very good chance of no recurrance so this is a MUST!!!!

I'm still taking arimidex for another year but if my onc agree's will stay on it longer as the studies suggest it's very beneficial for us.  I also had an ooph in '06 as a preventative treatment and have no regrets.  My best wishes to you all in getting through this, its well worth it:)

Tricia x

Hang in there sohardbnme, it WILL get easier:)

Tricia x

Hi I'm triple pos as well.

I was dx last Feb and finished all my IV treatment earlier this year. I did AC x 4 followed by Taxol x12 with 3 weekly Herceptin. I went into menopause from the Chemo (39 yr old) so am taking Arimidex and having my blood hormone levels checked every 3 months to check I'm still in menopause.

Life is back to normal for me now, I only have a few minor aches and pains but nothing to complain about, Chemo is not easy but doable.

From what my Onc tells me triple pos has a very good prognosis with Herceptin and AI's, he says I should live to be a very old lady.

Hope your treatment goes well with minimal SE's.

 LL

Omaz,  I was having shortness of breath episodes and chronic and really deep dry coughs, but we really didn't know why.  So my onco referred me to a pulmonary specialist for a complete lung function test to rule out any lung problems or mets there.  I was told that I had developed adult onset asyhma (sp?).   Because I was already seeing the cardiologist due to HBP, he did an ECHO and that's how the lowered EF was discovered the first time due to the chemo and the second time due to the Herceptin.  I hope all of that makes sense, a little drowsy.        

I start chemo in a week and a half...18 weekly, then a year of once every three weeks...Taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin...then radiation and hormone therapy.What kind of side effects should I expect, specifically from the chemo?  My husband and I own a small business that I presently operate - we're trying to make some sound business decisions, whether to close it or rearrange the schedule.  My treatment is due to start on a Monday - should I maybe try to have a different day? Any suggestions? 

Just met with the oncologist yesterday. Still need to wait to start since I'm only 2 weeks from my bmx and need to heal. PS has to give the OK.

Treament
6 rounds of Taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin every 3 weeks. Herceptin continued to finish a year and Anastrozole (Arimidex) for 5 years.

Rational
My oncolgist feels that at my age (will be 50 in February) chemo will put me into menopause permanently. Actually I think I started full blown menopause 2 months ago. I have mood swings, early periods… actually now I think I'm going to miss one and 2 nights ago woke up totally drenched (night sweat?) Now all I worry about is osteoporosis. Family history and I am thin/small boned white gal. Practically the poster girl for it.

Yes they will do a bone density test. Sadly I know I will have to give up my daily diet Dr. Pepper as I hear it isn't good for the bones. Have a MUGA on Monday. Not sure when they will do the bone density. Still need to do the port but I think I need to heal up a bit more before I set that up.

Omaz where are you from?