Anyone on Taxotere, Perjeta and Herceptin

I enjoyed your post!  Please don't apologize for its length, I could have read more!!  How are you doing now?  I'm about to start this Perjeta & friends (I think 4 total) soon.  I'm scared, but more scared of HER2....

Thanks again

today my sister diagnosed metastasis in Lung ( largest 7 mm) and pancreas lymph nodes after 2 years tumor free. her ER - , PR - and Her2 3+, after chemotherapy AC- Taxol, herceptin used for a year and it has past 13 months of her last herceptin shot. Perjeta is not available in my country and we are worried if we can not find Perjeta what is best substitute regime, Herceptin with Taxotere or ... Please help us if you have seen such case and if you have good information.

I had DCIS stage 0 in August of 2010 age 35 and was just diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer with mets to lungs and lymph nodes surrounding lung 4 years later August 2014 age 39.  I have completed 2 cycles of heceptin, perjenta, taxotere and had a Pet that stated all cancer was resolved.  I am going to continue 4 more treatments (a total of 6).  This combination is amazing and is a blessing that it is available to me.  Best of Luck to you all!!!!

Another complete response here! Had a 2 cm ER/PR- with lymph node involvement. Lumpectomy and axillary 2 weeks ago. Path showed cPR for me too! I'm so, so relieved. Perjeta is a wonder drug (as are T and H). So glad to hear so many others are getting such fantastic results - especially stage 4 sisters!!

Gretta, here in the states the perjeta is very expensive...I have a copy of the charge,but my hubby took it to work. I can post it tomorrow for you. Will your herceptin be covered?  I am going to be on herceptin and perjeta rest of my life but I am stage 4. 

Hopefully, in Austraila the charges are not so inflated as they are here in the states.

gretta - when Perjeta is given for early stage breast cancer I believe it is only the 6 infusions that accompany the Taxotere, then Herceptin continues for the year, but Perjeta does not, so you would only need 6 doses every three weeks.

gretta - not sure for early stage but here is some info from the Perjeta website:

http://www.perjeta.com/patient/receiving/treatmentplan

I'm 52 and I was DX in March, Stage 4 HER2 positive, mets liver (2 spots).  I was given Taxotere, Herceptin, and Perjeta, every three weeks for 6 rounds.  I also received the neulasta shot and was one of the few that had extraordinary pain from that.  All cancer is gone.  I will continue on Herceptin and Perjeta the rest of my life.  I will not be having radiation.  Originally I thought I was only doing the Herceptin and Perjeta until next March, so this rest of my life thing has thrown me for a huge loop.  I just had a double mastectomy and 4 lymph nodes removed.  Going through tissue expander "fill ups" now. 

Something in one or all of these drugs has caused extreme dryness, making intimacy impossible.  Which being a relatively short term thing....just until next March, is a doable deal.....but forever?!?!.....yeah, that's not gonna cut it, I gotta figure out something.  Have any of you found anything that works?  Does this situation go away?

Coastalexpat, thanks for the info and a possible light at the end of the tunnel of this subject.  I haven't been able to get much info on this subject from my MO, I'm just not asking the right question because he is really great.  The information you gave me though will help me be more specific with him.  I'm so glad yours was caught earlier!  Very encouraging that it probably is not the Herceptin then.  I finished chemo in late June, so it sounds like you are a bit ahead of me on the trek!  I'm going to check out the link you posted.

Thanks!

we are clinically very similar. I just started my first TCHP last Tuesday. 6 cycles, then bilateral mastectomy, then radiation. Reading my body related to side effects, keeping a short journal. How ya feeling?

Hope your healing goes quickly and relatively easy!  Are you done with all therapy now or are you staying on Herceptin and Perjeta?  I will be on Herceptin and Perjeta forever, they say.

I seem to have several side effects, for these "no" side effect drugs.  I'm just trying to take a stab at alleviating them one at a time.  I know some may not be side effects but maybe permanent damage from the Taxotere that may be aggravated by my treatments.

TJG2 -- sorry to hear you're still dealing with side effects. I still have side effects with H&P, too, but it's not nearly as bad as with chemo. My first chemo was in 2010, and I continued Herceptin for a year. The only S/E I had with Herceptin was feeling like I was catching a cold every few weeks. I've always had seasonal allergies, so it took me a while to put 2+2 together. (After treatments stopped, so did the "colds". That's when I figured out they were linked.) I think the S/E's from chemo linger for a while, so it's hard to tell what causes what. Seems like it was a good year or so after I'd completed ALL treatments before I started feeling near normal again. My onc hasn't mentioned an end date yet, so I'm assuming I'll be on H&P for as long as my body will tolerate it. The S/E's from Perjeta have been more noticeable to me. Mostly digestive issues (diarrhea and cramping), occasional nausea, and sometimes just feeling run down.

JMO06, I haven't heard that.  My onc did recommend red wine though to me and that is supposed to have some antioxidant qualities.  He knew I was afraid to do anything though that might rock the boat, so he may have been just trying to get me to relax and get some rest.

There are a lot of factors, individually, regarding the heart.  My heart got stronger each test so far.  BUT, I've never been a big salter, quit smoking, and beer was cut from my diet.  Also, there was only a couple days between treatments that I could tolerate anything sweet or chocolate.  I also still did the majority of my house cleaning.  So when I felt not so good, it was a work out to dust or vaccum a room, or scrub the kitchen floor.  My husband would go to the store with me, but I would push the cart as long as I could....that's a workout.   I think an unintentional better diet and keeping my cardio up helped a lot. 

One last unsolicited opinion though, the onc should NEVER be in a rush.  You may have to wait sometimes because someone else is having a hard time and needs extra questions answered, but that's ok because you may be the ones next time putting the doc behind schedule.  The doc works for you and you should always feel like they are the insulating, security blanket of knowledge and care. 

JMO06, will do.  Good luck with your Mom's onc.  Be firm if you need to slow them down.  Tell them first thing, we have some questions that have to be answered, today.  He/she probably doesn't even realize they come across as rushing.

Thanks TJG2 will try that. I get that feeling there annoyed when we ask questions, i have gotten that you need to trust your at moffitt we are the best at we do. in other words shut up and do whatever we tell you. I had to tell them while we do "trust" moffitt we still like to be involved in the decison process. We met with her nurse practitioner one day and she was even worse, she said i was given my mom anxiety. I really dont know how asking legitimate questions equate to anxiety?? I am the most relaxed, zen person never have never been told im anxious. She left me in shock, we asked for dr and all of sudden mrs nurse practitioner was all smiles. If was up to me my mom would be at another onc, but she is comfortable and doesn't like change so I have to support her decision and just fight for her  best care with her current onc