Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

Good news ladies, Five months since going off Taxol and my scans say that P/H are doing what we want. No progression of my tumor and no pleural or pericardial effusion. Back in March when this all started my CA125 was at 609, it is now down to 18 and holding. I do have the bigD but, I haven't looked at foods causing it. It just seems to hit about 5 days after infusion and 4 or 5 days before my next one. I'm gonna start watching the food possibilities though. I do get some headaches on occasion but, they seem to be barable for me. 

Good wishes for your scans Lilylady and best of luck with the ins. I was just given a folder full of insurance info from someone so if I find anything that may help i'll be sure to let you know. This kind of crap is redicoulous, don't we have enough to deal with without another heaping mess!!!

Kingcour, you are lucky with the taste buds...mine seem to be getting worse. My hair is growing back as well. Glad you are feeling good!

Hi ladies. I read that a side effect of Perjeta was hair loss.  It sounds like it is varying between some of you as to whether your hair is growing back after stopping taxotere.  Should it be growing back?

I have the Herceptin runny nose but wondering if any of you all are also suffering from bloody noses. Mine is just tinged with blood but annoying none the less. Also, suffering from horrible (painful) acne. Anyone else?

Tera

Lilylady I really hope they get that worked out with you're insurance, can't stand red tape & ridiculous rules. Best wishes on the scans also. I went in yesterday for echo & herceptin. Hoping my echo comes back ok this time. Had 10% drop last time & was told will discuss end of Jan about starting perjeta. I guess waiting on TDM1 also. I miss being able to sleep. Texateer (steroid) has got me not hardly sleeping at all. The benadryl was a nice lil nap though threw treatment. I was talking to one of my nurses yesterday &today if I remember right herceptin & perjeta don't cause hair loss so after stopping Taxol my hair has been growing back since. Actually colored it monday (had to cover the extra gray that has been coming in lol). Usual color didn't come threw probably because of meds but not to bad. Still bad acne also & face stays pretty oily but ordered some Mary Kay products (+ haven't been able to in years, husbands christmas pressent to me & silky hands, love it) & hoping does the trick, was never able to find right stuff in stores.

I'm struggling today. Hair started falling out two days ago so my sis is coming over this afternoon to shave it off and play with my new wig. My little girl is upset about it. I'm also dealing with a cold. I think it's just a cold since my 4 year old has had one but I worry since I have lung mets. I'm also dreading being "re-ported" on Monday. Then 2nd round of treatment on Thursday. So looking forward to Christmas but worrying about being miserable the entire time. Just feeling so down today and needed to vent. But feeling bad about that to given what those families are going through in CT.



Not the most religious person but searching for God's strength today.



Thanks for listening.

Thanks Fujiimama! Feeling much better today. After all that fretting about my daughter's reaction to my hair she came home and told me I was beautiful and that my hair didn't matter. The heart of a child is such a beautiful thing. Rocked my new wig tonight at my old firm's holiday party. Everyone said I looked awesome as a brunette. Maybe they just expected me to look sick but I'll take it!

I'm sorry to hear your report, Lilylady. Hope the tax can kick it back for you.

Lilylady, I am so sorry to hear of your news. Hugs to you.

Lily lady sorry for your results.



I just had my first scan on pht and it as stable with some improvement in pleural.

Last two CT scans on previous chemo had progression with all cancer larger and new spots, so this is first good news in months.



For person who couldn't get ins approval, the company that makes perjeta, offers grants to onc office guaranteeing they will cover cost of drug. My onc did most of work. I had to sign a paper giving then permission to talk to my insurance. I answered about 3 questions. My insurance is paying but it's a good back up.



I have bloody noses from taxotere. Had them in taxol. I lose weight each cycle sometimes 8 pounds. I try to gain some back last week.

I have horrible D and fruit. Veggie, salad, dairy all make it worse.Im on white carb diet pretty much. But I have stomach mets.

I've had my taxotere dose cut three times. At lowest dose my onc thinks is effective. 50mcgs.



Even though this has worked. It's been a rough combo for me. Fatigue is crazy. I have chance to start TDM1 if my echo is OK.

I will crossover from physicians choice arm of Teresa trial to TDM1 arm on Jan 3. Ive been waiting long time for it.



Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2013.

Lillylady, sending positive energy and thoughts to you.

I think I'm off this train. In 2 months, I've had liver progression, increase in bone mets and a met that looks ovarian. I think it sucks that I had to go through the first 3 painful treatments to get these results. 2012 sucked and I'm really scared about 2013.



Good luck to the rest of you and I hope this treatment works for months to years.

Argh...I will be in the chemo chair tomorrow. I am so not looking forward to that Nuelsta. I got an extra week break from the Holidays and I feel so good. I even went to Zumba on Saturday. Am trying now to think of a way to go tonight but the kid has karate. My friend is coming over tonight to watch the premiere of The Bachelor. Senseless TV, I know.

Lilylady- sorry about your scans. How many THP did you take before dropping the Tax. My onc originally said 6, but after 4 I want off this train. I fly to Houston for an appt Mon. My scans were clear end of Nov. I skipped one Tax to enjoy Christmas. If I hear the potential approval date of the new drug I will post it. The breast cancer symposium was in San Antonio in December. ...happens every year. All the oncologist should have the latest info on how we've all been doing on this regimen.



I don't post often but was wondering if any of you who had radiation are having problems with aspiration of stomach acid at night. We all have the horrible heartburn but I know wake up drowning in stomach acid and spend the next hour coughing the rattle out of my lung hoping not to get a pneumonia.



Best of luck to us all. I find meditation helps my anxiety...along with the occasional ativan and steady diet of Cymbalta. Also Lyrica nearly eliminated the SE of neulasta and has helped my neuropathy in feet and hands.