Side effects of herceptin

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coldnewf
coldnewf Member Posts: 9
edited August 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

just had treatment number 16 of herceptin. First 12 went well with little or no SE. On treatment number 13 I developed SE which included pounding heartbeat 24/7. Had hotter monitor done. No significant heart issues. Will this disappear after treatment finished and does anyone else have this SE. Would weekly herceptin treatments with lower dosages help

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited August 2015

    I would suggest, strongly, that you have them run the Herceptin for 90 minutes. Has helped a lot of folks here on the board. Also, I would suggest that you look at the Triple Positive thread. Its very informative and the gals are very kind and supportive and they all have had herceptin.

    I have heard that weekly doses have been helpful, too.

    Good luck!

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited August 2015

    Forum: HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer → Topic: TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

    Topic: TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

    Forum: HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer —

    Testing, treatment, side effects, and more.Here's the link or rather the description of where the thread is located

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  • Suladog
    Suladog Member Posts: 952
    edited August 2015

    Coldnew,

    I just wanted to second what Cowgirl says. Before starting herceptin I was advised to get the herceptin over 90 minutes. My MO was surprised since he figured I'd just want to get out of there in 30 after all those 6 hour chemo days, but told me "whatever you want" he was of the opinion that there's no difference but I've seen too many people complain about pounding heart etc after 30 minute infusions so I'm glad I'm doing it over a longer time .

    Other than that my she's have been little to none ... Just a few minor digestive issues no big deal. Yes, come over to the Triple + group everybody there is very helpful

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  • coldnewf
    coldnewf Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2015

    thanks to you both. New to the site. Due next herceptin late August and will have blood work and see my oncologist before I have treatment. Will discuss both the 90 minute infusion and the possibility of having herceptin weekly. She is a gem and really wants me to finish the herceptin and says we will do whatever it takes to get me to the end. I have a real bad problem with SE of all kinds of drugs and she is fully aware of this. It has been a real problem over many years. Already had to discontinue exsamestane and Femara because of SE.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2015

    cold - have you had a MUGA or echocardiogram quarterly throughout your Herceptin treatment to check your ejection fraction percentage?

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  • coldnewf
    coldnewf Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2015

    have had muga scans before starting herceptin, twice during treatments and one scheduled two weeks after final herceptin. Things going well cardiac wise. Biggest SE is the pounding heartbeat. Heartbeat is not fast as I am on a beta blocker but it is distressing.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2015

    Hope it resolves when you complete Herceptin

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