Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

I think tdm1 is herceptin plus whatever the name of the chemo is...anyway tdm1 and herceptin are both targeted therapies, not systemic...not a dr though.

I have blown through 3 chemos since my DX in March 2011. This combo seems to be working for me. Cea markers went from 92 to 4. My scan results came back with regression and some bone mets have healed. Hoping this works for awhile. I do take the Taxotere at a 70 percent dose. It has really helped me with the side effects

Lilylady and Tiger,

Great to read your posts and congratulations on the good scans.

I've always been constipated living off Mirilax and senakot, but not any more. I take my taxotere in smaller weekly doses, instead of a large one every 3 weeks. I get my chemo every Monday and I spend every fri-sun in the bathroom. A little over a year ago I didn't have any idea what senakot or Imodium were about, but I guess that's changed.



But I don't have any headaches. Are you staying well hydrated? Getting plenty of electrolytes.

Is snyone having sore throat and headache from pth?

Z28Femme,

I have a lot of the same side effects as you. I had bad acid reflux prior to diagnosis that is well controlled with medication; however, from about day 2 or 3 post treatment until day 7 the acid reflux is horrible. If you are not taking anything I would ask your onco for a prescription for prevacid or nexium or first try over the counter prilosec. It makes eating suck especially with the taste bud issues. I also got the horrible acne on my face (mainly chin), neck, shoulders and chest after first treatment.  My onco prescribed a antibiotic and a cream that cleared it up pretty quickly.  It was actually painful I was so broken out. Now my breakouts are limited to when I get my period (and yes I am still getting my period faithfully every freaking month!).  As for headaches, when I was on Herceptin the first time in 2010 we realized that if they slowed down the infusion to an hour rather than 30 minutes that made a difference for me. So this time around I am still doing a slower drip on the Herceptin.  I still get mild headaches but I attribute it to dehydration and/or stress and Tylenol works pretty well most times. Finally, Immodium controls my diarrhea well. I have taken Lotomil before but that backed me up. For those women who are practically left homebound because of the D I think Lotomil is probably worth a try.

Yes, I lose my voice a week out from treatment every time.  A few days later, I am fine.

bhd1- PFS is progression free survival. I think the women who did our treatment averaged 18 months before progressing.  Some more...some less.  We will hope for more!

Bondgirl,

I was told not to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen because they can mask the symptoms of a fever. I take Ranitidine, a generic rx form of Zantac, for the acid/indigestion and it has helped a lot. My onc is willing to prescribe something else if this stops working. My headaches & migraines have been quite a nuisance since my first dosing of chemo...I don't want to take Imitrex on a daily basis in order to function. I notice my tastebuds are starting to act funny as well, and that is depressing! I need to find a balance for the bowels, and I'm sure I will be able to even it out once I get used to my regimine. I'm wondering if I will still have my menses during my treatments...

I'm coming up on my 3rd tx. My onc reduced my taxotere 20% on the second treatment and it really helped with the side effects. Barb, I get really bad charlie horses, too. The worst are in my stomach muscles or back. I haven't found anything that helps, except pain meds. I notice when I take percocet for the bone pain (the best for that deep, aching pain), I also have significantly less cramps. Z28, my doc also said no fever reducers. He lost a patient once because the guy took advil for his fever and the fever went down. By the time he finally went to the hospital, he was so sick they couldn't save him. Also, prilosec works really well for the heartburn. Take it every day. I wish my tms were reliable. Honestly, I've been stage IV for 6 years and they are never abnormal. The doc doesn't even check them any more. I just have to wait for my next scan to see if this is working.

Barb, I haven't asked but my understanding is it is generally after the 3rd round. I have my 3 rd one Monday. So hopefully soon. My last scans before i started pht showed new spread to liver, and new activity in lung lymph nodes and in pleural effusion. That was the first time it had spread out of my lungs.

How much More is the loading dose of thp treatment. compared to the rest of the treatment doses

Barb, I had a scan after 3 cycles, then 2 weeks after the 6th cycle.

4th day today, so it's time to move into the bathroom. Except I have to run kids around all day. One of the trips being an hour away. I hope there are a lot of nice bathrooms between here and there. My DS is 8 so I can't exactly take him into the bathroom with me, but I really hate to leave him alone in the store.



Since I spend 2 days a week in the bathroom, I should probably make it a nicer place to hang out. Any ideas? I don't think I can get a TV in there. Maybe I should install a stand for my iPad?

I am glad that to see others having heartburn as well.Mine was horrible to the point eating food caused discomfort. I finally had to break down and ask my doctor to prescribe protonix so far it is working. Tomorrow we finally add taxotere to my regimine, after delaying cause i am not tolerating perjeta side effects very well.

Femme oh ok. I thought second round was easier. Smaller dose. Feel better