Finished TCHP, staying on H&P

Options
EMariePDX
EMariePDX Member Posts: 2
edited May 2016 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Is anyone else doing this? I know the protocol is to do TCHP for 6 cycles, then Herceptin only for another 12. My doctors want me to stay on Perjeta too (for 12) because it's currently in research. I'm worried about side effects. Anyone else on this H&P protocol for Triple+?

So glad to have chemo behind me, I don't want to keep feeling bad from the H&P.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Calcon
    Calcon Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    I am not triple+, but strongly ER+. After completing TCHP last September, I have continued with H+P. The plan is to keep me on it for several years due to my advanced disease.

    I'm happy to say that I have a good quality of life on this therapy. At worst I feel a little tired on the day after my infusion, plus a little bit of the 'big D' (once or twice within the same week). I've also noticed that Herceptin has slowed my hair growth. Other than that, no side effects whatsoever.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mel2015
    Mel2015 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    Hi, I am triple positive, finished TCHP chemo in October and had double mastectomy/recon in November. I am staying on Herceptin another six months; doctor didn't discuss staying on perjeta. The perjeta made me feel awful, so much diarrhea! The Herceptin seems to cause joint stiffness, but otherwise just fatigue. I hope you are feeling OK with it!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Metta
    Metta Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2016

    EMarie, I did AC+T plus Herceptin and Perjeta before surgery, and after surgery I continued with Herceptin and Perjeta for a year. My last H&P is in two weeks. The reason I'm getting Perjeta in addition to Herceptin is that I'm on a clinical trial. Do they want to enroll you on a trial? I'm happy to be participating and potentially helping other women.

    I haven't had many side effects on H&P, which I started last January. I feel great. Like Calcon and Mel, I do get diarrhea the day after an infusion (from the Perjeta, my MO says). And my nails are raggedy, splitting, and weak ... I'm not sure why, since I didn't have any nail problems during Taxol. I've even had two infected ingrown toenails, something I've never had before, and had to have a podiatrist surgically cut the edge of my toenails off. It hurt!

    My other side effect is a very low WBC count. It hasn't bounced back since pre-chemo. Oh, and a metallic taste in my mouth all the time. My MO thinks that could be Tamoxifen.

    Other than that, I am running, doing yoga, and feeling pretty much back to normal. You will start to feel great when you're just getting monoclonal antibodies (Herceptin and Perjeta) rather than chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EMariePDX
    EMariePDX Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2016

    Thanks everyone! I am doing great on the H&P protocol. No diarrhea -- so happy about that. Still having neuropathy in my toes, which showed up between chemo (end of Dec) and radiation (late Jan). I'm not in a clinical trial but my doctors believe the trials will show validity to staying on the Perjeta. Sad to hear the Herceptin slowed hair growth, as I am anxious to get my hair back. I just stopped wearing my hats a week or so ago, after dying my peach fuzz dark red. :-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TriplePositiveP
    TriplePositiveP Member Posts: 20
    edited May 2016

    EMarie, I am wondering how you managed to get approval for adjuvant perjeta, as my MO said it is very difficult (a major reason I opted for neoadjuvant) I was on neoadjuvant TCHP and my tumors disappeared. I was triple positive, grade 3, high Ki67 (fortunately node negative), and I have a strong suspicion it was perjeta that really made the difference in my post-lumpectomy path results. In my case, it was POOjeta, so I am glad you have not experienced that!

    Hope you continue to feel well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories