Herceptin

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Designcool
Designcool Member Posts: 1
edited August 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I have had my chemo treatments for a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removal  and in the middle of my treatments I ended up in the hospital twice almost dying once and it was all because of the medications that I was taking for the chemo. After 12 days of being in the hospital with double pneumonia and a fungus in my lungs I lost 23 pounds in because it could not eat, this one lung doctor actually saved my life. I thought it was kind of strange that my oncologist Dr. Did not even call me to see how I was doing. But to get to my point today is, I have started Herceptin and until now my bones,muscles, and joints were fine.  after my second treatment of Herceptin which I am on every week for one year I can't even bend down I can't lay down every joint in my body hurts every muscle hurts and my oncologist dr. says it has nothing to do with her Herceptin. However I've been doing a lot of research and I found many many other women who are having the same problems in fact one woman she has not been on any other medications except Herceptin and she is bedridden for over two months now because of her muscles and joints. So here's my question for today, yesterday I woke up went to get out of bed and I was super dizzy fell down my husband had to come and pick me up and then hold me up until I got to the bathroom. I was lightheaded dizzy all day kept running into the walls so finally he made me go back to bed. Today the same thing is happening so I'm wondering is there anybody else out there that has these symptoms, if so please let me know and what you have done to help with the symptoms  or do I need to be a little more concerned and go to a doctor. I was reading about it last night and it said it could be an inner ear infection but I have no pain I don't feel like I have an infection I have no fever just very dizzy and lightheaded and concerned. There was also something about the heart and I don't want to jump to anything conclusions because I have had enough problems so if anybody can shed some light on this I would be very appreciative. Thank you for your time. 

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  • aqua2
    aqua2 Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2014

    I take herceptin once every 3 weeks, I'm on my 8th dose.  I will have 17.  I have horrible side affects from the other chemo-I can't at this point blame herceptin.  Oh, there can be something indeed about the heart, it can damage it.  I had an echo cardio before the drug and one a week or so ago to see if my heart was holding up.  So far, no issues.  Please hang in there, they say this horror should all be temporary.  If no one has ordered a review of your heart, please inquire right away.

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  • lovecat3
    lovecat3 Member Posts: 53
    edited August 2014

    hi I've been on Herceptin since 2012 also joint pain aches fatigue and muscle spasms  I take magnesium caps 400mg once daily helped w spasms  I get Herceptin every 3 weeks and an echo for my heart every 3 months

    Best to you

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2014

    Hi Designcool,

    So sorry to hear you are going through such harsh side effects. The ladies here will have the experience and understanding to help and advise you. The main site also contains some information on the common side effects including: fever, chills, muscle aches and nausea as well as some of the more rare SE's including: heart complications, breathing and lung problems. You should be monitored closely while you are on Herceptin. 

    We have attached the link below. 

    Herceptin side effects

    Might we also suggest that you visit the forum for HER2+ breast cancer where the ladies discuss and give each other support on how to manage the SE's of Taxotere, Perjeta and Herceptin. 

    HER2+ Forum

    Sending our best to you.

    The mods

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  • Gailgie
    Gailgie Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    Hello

    I was diagnosed a little over a year ago with Stage 4 metastasis to brain, lung and liver. I am on herceptin and perjeta every three weeks with regular echocardiograms and scans. So far no bad side effects. I am eating organic fruits, veggies, wild fish and organic chicken but not meat every day. The chemo just makes me tired on the day of. 

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