TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Linda (and Lee),

I am also on prilosec, which I started after my first treatment. It really helped to keep my stomach calm. Lee, if you have a sour stomach, you should consider going on it for the course of your treatment. Costco sells their own version OTC of it very reasonably.

I was wondering when I can go off. (I'm almost 3 weeks PFC now.) I'll try stopping it later this week. Thanks!

Lee,

I was actually looking for a reason to go to Costco. I keep my health insurance card in the same section of my wallet as my Costco card, and I couldn't stand that my health insurance card was getting more of a workout than my Costco card. lol!!!!!



On the prilosec front, my MO said there was no downside to being on it for the entire duration of my chemo treatment. It definately helped keep my stomach on an even keel.

cgesq - my MO prescribed the Prilosec so that I ran out of prescription about 3 weeks PFC, he said to go off of it and see how I felt, if I needed more call, so I did and no problems!!!!!

Denielle - my oncologist office has a program where they give discounted rates, and get subsidies from the drug companies to help women stay in treatment.  I know one lady who had to pay nothing, she didn't have insurance, did have to receive her treatments at the main cancer center (they have outreach facilities), be she was able to get her infusions free.  Talk to the social worker at your cancer center, see what they can do for you.

Lago...thank you for the weather forecast. It started pouring bucked in Indianapolis about 6p.m. Lol



Denielle....check out the herceptin site. They have a foundation that helps with covering herceptin costs as well as copay costs. I found it right before I finished herceptin unfortunately , but made copies for my oncologist to give to people.

LeeA just an FYI Prilosuc never ever works for me even before diagnosis. If this doesn't work ask your onc for something else. I was on Protonics, then Nexium. I eventually had to take Carafate too. Granted most folks do fine with Prilosuc.

cqesq my NP recommended I take my Anastrozole in the morning. I think the reason is so I wouldn't be up at night with hot flashes. I'm not sure if things work the same way with Tamoxifen. Did your onc or NP have any recommendations?

I've been on tamoxifen for about a month so not sure how much knowledge i can offer. First 2 weeks I took in the morning but them my MO said she usually suggest at night so I switched. I really can't tell much of a difference, I get major hot flashes either way.

LeeA, you're taking probiotics, right?  Those are essential.  Post chemo MO said I should take pepcid for that weird hollowness in my GI area, also I was getting really gassy (tmi?  is there any such thing on this thread?) probably from the herceptin.  I somehow didn't notice it while I was on chemo but I guess they stuck some antinausea stuff in my IV and I guess the chemo overrode anything from the herceptin.  That was pfc so not sure if htat's helpful info....

cgesq, I don't start for a few more weeks but MO said I  could take it whatever time of day, could switch around to find what works best for me.  Ladies, what am I in for in that regard?  Unbelieveably, I'm looking forward to starting the tamox b/c it will mean I'm done with rads.  LORD I cannot WAIT to be done with radiation!!!!!!

On the supplement discussion, I have to just say that physicians are not nutritionists and in general they don't understand nutrition.  In my medical school (which is the largest private medical institution in the US) we only had a total of 2 weeks worth of lectures on nutrition and that is the standard.

I just don't think of James Watson when I think nutrition ;-)  Sorry, had to hop on my soap box.  My masters degree is in nutrition and when I was studying, it was a "girls field".

My primary care MD,gyn,surgeon and MO are all female. 

Anyone know if your supposed to do alot of water drinking with just herceptin like you had to with chemo? It would be kind of to late for me as I only have 3 more to go but I was just curious and kept forgetting to ask my doctor.

TonLee-- can I do weights to my arms when on the treadmill?  after lymph node? I know your really in to the fitness side of things.

Thanks TonLee  I start tomorrow god am I going to be sore lol.

Lago, I did the same as you.  I wanted to be super careful that I did not trigger lymphedema.  Started out with no weight at all for certain moves - man my radiation/snb side was weak!  Then went to 2#, etc...finally just now up to 10# which is still really challenging.  Getting stronger feels great! 

And what I was told about the weights - if you don't exercise with them for even as little as a week, when you restart you need to start a little lighter, and move back up to where you were, don't start right back in at the same weight and pace, with your LE side.