Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited September 2013

    RonnieKay I was on Perjeta and Herceptin for 9 months with no taxotere and my hair did not fall out.  So I think you should get your hair back with the perjeta.  I found the perjeta difficult with the big D, but the good news is I did have a full head of hair.  Now I'm on Abraxane and feel great, but I have very little hair.  I guess you can't have it all. 

    Good luck on Perjeta.It kept me stable for about 9 months.  

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited September 2013

    What is the half ife if taxotere, what is the shalf life of perjeta? What is the half life of herceptin. Does anyone know?





  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited September 2013

    Barb, from my experience with perjeta, it stays in the body a long time.  I was on perjeta for 9 months and had terrible big D.  After stopping due to QOL issues (yes it was still working after nine months ) in early April 2013, it took about 9 weeks for my GI to return to a normal state.  Don't know about Taxotere as I've never been on it, but I'm on Abraxane now and the side effects disappear a week after treatment.  So with the three weeks on and two weeks off, the last week of the treatment is no side effects.  Don't know if Taxotere is similar.  Not sure about the herceptin.

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited September 2013

    I got my CT scan results from yesterday morning, late last night. I am still NED. I have had 18 rounds of perjeta and herceptin with taxotere included in the first two rounds. Yes! I fight the big D, neuropathy, and some very silly moments with chemo brain. But right now all of that seems pretty darn cool. :)

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited September 2013

    Fujiimama, that's wonderful news! I'm thrilled to hear that you're still NED. Hearing that certainly gives me hope that the drugs will continue to work for me. I know you're celebrating and doing a big Happy Dance!!!!

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    Fujimama good for you. I wish they could do something about the D. It really interferes with life

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2013

    Fujimama, congratulations on your wonderful news! We're all cheering for you and NED! 

    --- The Mods

  • Suniday
    Suniday Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2013

    I just wanted to give you beautiful ladies an update on my PHT journey:)  I am having my 4th PHT infusion tomorrow, and although I am dreading the week afterward (se's seem to be the worst the first week), I am thrilled and hopeful about my PET scan results after my 3rd infusion, and so is my Onc.  My initial diagnoses was stage IV, with one "hot" lymph node under my left arm, 3 tumors in my left breast (2 small and one fairly large) and mets to liver (1 mass approx 4 cm).  After 3 PHT infusions, the PET Scan showed the lymph node and 2 small tumors were "resolved", the larger tumor in my breast had shrunk by almost 50% and the suv had gone from 14.5 to 4.18.  The liver met was showing no cancer activity (not exactly sure what that means, but I like the sound of it).  I am convinced that I have had every single SE listed for this PHT combo, and it hasn't been easy - but it HAS been doable:)  I can do this, and so can you:)  Prayers and hugs going out to all of you!  If I can help anyone in any way, please dont hesitate to let me know!

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013

    Suniday, that's wonderful news! I hope you continue to get good results. Monday will be my 6th PHT treatment, and my onc has said I may be able to go off the Taxotere after that. I'm really hoping that I can and that it will help to lesssen the se's. 

    I hope you have a good week after your treatment today. I've also found that the first week is the worst, but the results certainly make it worth it.

    Hugs, Trish

  • Redmond
    Redmond Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2013


    well...seems that I have joined the NED club as well. we are on round 12 but I stopped tax at round 7. still have the big D but I have found Metamucil to work wonders. Now on to the do I do the mastectomy or not?...one side or two? any thoughts?

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    Redmond, that's awesome news! I'm so happy to hear that you are NED! You must be doing the Happy Dance. I'm curious…where are your mets?


    I'm sorry to hear that you still have the big D on just P & H, but I'm glad to hear about Metamucil. I'll definitely try that. I think Monday will be my last Taxotere. What other se's have you had on the 2 drug only?


    All the best to you.


    Hugs, Trish

  • Redmond
    Redmond Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2013


    Hey Trish...mets to lungs three locations but...they are not there now....thank God. i have a bit of neuropathy but my onc thinks it is left over from the tax. My hair is slowly growing back. the D is excessive but I am not confined to the house or anything...I can feel that I may have an episode and just prepare...usually about 30min to an hour warning. i really cant think of anything else in terms of se's. Good luck to you !!!

  • Granna1948
    Granna1948 Member Posts: 77
    edited October 2013


    Hello Ladies,


    I may be a little premature posting here. I got the results of my bonescan today, and all areas are stable or improved except for my left femur. The report said activity in the femur but it couldn't be determined if it was progression or a fracture. Anyway, I love my oncologist, but I'm seeing her tomorrow, and I want to be more prepared than ever in case she wants to make some changes. I've been on Herceptin for 2 years, and in July Afinitor/Aromasin was added to the mix. I'm thinking of having her add Perjeta. Looks like Perjeta is tougher than Herceptin, which I have done great on, but lots of the big D. Is there hair loss? Afinitor/Aromasin has been a bit of a bear. Lots of acne, mouth sores and fatigue.


    Thanks for listening. Looks like people have had good results.


    Granna

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    I have not experienced perjeta alone so not sure what are the side effects. I would guess diarreah but not sure what else

  • BethCon1
    BethCon1 Member Posts: 132
    edited October 2013


    I will be joining the perjeta/herceptin/taxotere club soon . I start on Nov 1st, just need to get my ovaries ripped out first.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    good luck w the surgery. we look forward to seeing you in nov.

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    Hi, Beth,


    I hope your surgery goes well. You will find a tremendous amount of support from a group wonderful ladies here. When I first started on PHT in June, I read this entire thread. It helped me anticipate what to expect from the treatment, so there have been no surprises. I've had good results so far!


    Hugs, Trish

  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2013


    Fuji!!!!!!!! I just posted on another thread. So happy for you and yes we are still NEDsters together! Congrats Redmond on your good news and those of you with reductions. I have been on just p and h since February and hair growth is good. I have decided to keep it short as I am impatient Haha and it has grown on me no pun intended. I lost all on taxotere but started having a little regrowth even in November.

  • Britishone
    Britishone Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2013


    Hello new to the board been reading so much information. I was diagnosed Stage IV out the gate Feb 2013 with mets to lung started PHT April 10th 2013 had 4 rounds and dropped the Taxotere due to severe SE been on Herceptin/Perjeta ever since every 3 weeks. My scan showed very good shrinkage 49% soon as I stopped the Tax seems it started growing again but was stable. I now have swollen lymph node and such pain under arm. I cannot stand my oncologist but hard to find another in area.I made app with surgeon to see about having primary tumor or lymph node removed and I imagine will have to start another treatment just getting my hair back. has anyone else had such a big change after going off Tax I had hoped the H/P would be keeping my tumor stable. I am Triple positive. Thank you and this board keeps me going for past few months.

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2013

    Aic glad you're a NEDster. Happy Dance time. I went MIA for a few days.

    I have been struggling with the big D and they tried adding metformin to the mix. Amazing disasters. Talked my Pimary into putting me on Symilin. It's an injectable and works similar to metformin. Nice side effect-it slows the stomach. I have actually made it two whole weeks. Knock on wood. I next treatment will be #20.


  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    Aic congrats to you. I hope you and Ned stay together a long time

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    fuji, am I understanding? You we're taking Metformin for D?


    Trish

  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited October 2013


    Trish and Fujimama


    Don't understand why you would be taking metformin for D. Metformin is known to cause D, especially the generic forms. I was taking it for about 6 months and my TMs went down considerably, but the D was too much to take. My onc believes very strongly in Metformin for breast cancer. After doing research I was advised to try the brand name Glucophage which for some reason does not cause the big D side effect in most people. I've been on it now for about two months and no big D problems. If anything, it actually helps to alleviate the problem.

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2013

    Wasn't taking metformin for the D. I'm pre-diabetic and trying to control blood sugar. Metformin worked great until perjeta the D hit. Symilin is similar to metformin but it's injected like insulin. It has almost completely stopped the big D. Was putting it out there for anyone else in a similar situation. 


  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2013

    Sorry I did realise that I hadn't specified the diabetes part. Plus I know they were hoping for metformin to help with the BC. I am starting to see blood sugar levels stabilizing again. The D was putting me on a nasty rollercoaster. Glad glucophage works too. I was afraid to try anymore oral meds since nothing was being digested. 

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited January 2014


    just wznted to say au revoir pht ladies. due to slight progression in axilla and lungs, I am moving on to doxil perjeta Herceptin. I hope you all continue to do well on the pht! thank you for being there for me . love, barb

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2013

    Bhd 1 we will miss you. Now you can say you're a PhD, I think after this journey we all are.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    thx fugimama. I like that- phD

  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    barb, I'll miss reading your posts here. I wish you the best with your new treatment. I hope it's easy on you and that you get great results.


    Hugs, Trish

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited October 2013


    thx Trisha. I will miss this group. I tried to starf a dixil group but so far no volunteers

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