Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

Woodylb · October 2015

Myriam,

I did have some balace isdues but at my first dx from ACT , i got almost back to normal after cessation of the treatment. On THP. I did not have this effect, if you problem continue you should cosult eith your doc.

EMAW · October 2015

Aw, thanks, Noreen. It lasted 1 day and today, I'm doing alright. i will look up postural vertigo, though. May have just been first time back on it adjustment. I feel fairly decent tonight though I DID take it awfully easy today. I originally had Taxol (56 weeks Dec.2010 through January 2012) and this regimen is different. I had Taxotere with my usual Herceptin and added Perjeta July 2014 through January 2015. Maybe the 2nd time on this will prove easier; I tracked SE's last time and can be more proactiive this time around with the Tylenol on the fever/sore throat days and the Immodium on the loose bowels days. Praying that your CT scan will go well.

EMAW · October 2015

Thank you, Woody. I'm worlds better today. BTW, after reading a bunch of other posts in this thread, I have to reiterate one post's good advice on clearing up heartburn. Omeprazole (20 mg in the morning, 20 mg at night) works wonders. I am avoiding coffee (normal is a cup of decaf in the morning), Indian food, etc. For now, since I just started back on this, I'm eating Halloween candy early as I know that chocolate will sooner or later lose its appeal due to tastes being off after a few months of this stuff, lol

newbie20111 · October 2015

Hi Mirium,

Immodium might be the culprit for dizziness too.

I found cutting back on sugars, wheat breads, and dairy except for greek yogurt and adding a probiotic really helped. Also keepimg something like irish oatmeal with almond or coconut milk on your stomach first thing helps. I add a protein source like dry toasted pecans from trader joes...iT slows the digestion.

I also found having a two week break from treatment and a change of venue ( and away from reated well water helped heal my intestines some...oh well...they are now back where they were before.

I also take a multivitamin for skin hair nails. I have also heard slippery elm powder or capsules helpful as is a korean ale drink available at trader joes...green bottle

EMAW · November 2015

Thanks, Newbie. I'm going to take into consideration some of those tips you gave, particularly the probiotic. I have a normal slight intolerance of lactose, and under this chemo cocktail regimen, it gets very much worse.

I just (on 11/9/15) was given my 2nd cycle of Herceptin/Perjeta/Taxotere. This is my second bout with this combo (first time July 2014 to January 2015) and it worked very well for me last time. Just have to learn how to manage the SE's and that's an interesting puzzle. I did have some trouble with immune system response on first cycle (10/19's) so am trying to be cautious when I hit day 10 (nadir point). Thankfully, a couple of antibiotics helped with an infection, avoiding serious neutropenia.

Still, thankful for this regimen

EMAW · November 2015

I've had 2 cycles of the P/H/T now and Oncologist notices the lump in my left breast has shrunk some. However, I'm noticing a bit of pain in that lump yesterday and still today.

Usually, when I noticed that happening (it has happened before) it was when I was only on Herceptin & Perjeta and I generally attributed it to the lump changing (growing). I don't know how to assess this now.

Does anyone else have experience with this?

Maybe it has to do with the lump changing in any manner? It doesn't have to mean it is growing, does it?

newbie20111 · November 2015

Hi Miriam,

Excuse the spelling errors in previous post. My IPad changes words and I sometimes have difficulty with typing.

I often have pain in the area where I was previously treated for BC ( surgery, rads, chemo 2x. propy. mast left, cancer related modified radical mast...It doesn't seem to matter what the treatment is...or no treatment, pain can still exist. Sometimes worse a few days after the infusion/benydryl wears off, and the chemo works it way through my body. I find moving, walking, and especially mild chair yoga for an hour ( I take a free class at a local Wellness House for cancer patients..teacher is excellent...) helps with the pain. I also do acupuncture and and lymphedema therapy for limited lymphedema in the previously cancer treated areas.

Raking, heavy lifting, or repetitive chores increase my pain levels but often improve my circulation and lymphedema. I used to garden extensively but had to cut back.

It might be a tumor growing, but it could be something benign or just a blockage by the dead tumor that the body is having trouble reabsorbing or getting rid of. Compare it o the non treated breast and just chart it. Might be hormonal as well. I find the H/P to be estrogen depleting as you know.

All the pacs and docatacel were hard on my system...Currently my scans are clear so I will take what I can get. Breast free, but used to have lumpy breasts before surgeries. I am 65. Still on Herceptin/ Perjeta.

Keep moving in moderation. I also have CPS ( Couch potato syndrome..haha..too much TV watching on grey rainy days..I grew up in the northeast and find these pre-snow days depressing and sluggish.)

Good luck with your treatment and good luck.

Newbie20111

PS: If it is just pain bugging you, I found Boiron belladonna or phosphorous tabs ( homeopathic) under the tongue helpful for pain. Won't do anything for the possible lump. . Everything makes my tinnitus worse so I don't take over the counter drugs except homeopathic, and just my good vitamins and my daily probiotic. During Nadir I find I need a little more umph...try to eat well and keep up with my supplements.

Quality water and a few sunny days and plenty of walking really helps!

Woodylb · November 2015

miriam,

I experienced pain after each treatment specially with taxol and it lasted around three to four days after infusions sometimes longer. My scans became clear after three months of tx . The pain lessened but i still experience a twinge bwtween now and then, but never took any medication for it.

The worst i have now is a lot of tiny bones pain here and there.

But what newbie said is also true , if you walk a little or just do small things it helps with the circulations. I did massages twice a week and it helped a lot.

Now i am more like newbie a potatoe couch specially i had done a physical activity or house chores i just simply sit and relax and don't move for few hours.

Just take things easy , do hot baths i do those also and i put lavander oil in it , it mells devine and relaxes the whole body and muscles

Minnie72 · November 2015

hi Miriam, I also just had my second cycle of THP and I do have pains around day 3 where my tumors are spine and lower back. Dr told me to keep taking the steroids couple of more days after treatment to lessen the pain. But I'd rather deal with pain than the jitters that steroid give me. I can't sleep at night and I feel so restless when in on it. Oh and I can't stop eating despite the nausea.
Hoping everyone have a pain free holiday!

EMAW · December 2015

Thanks to Newbie, Woody and Minnie, for your responses.

That minor pain only lasted the one day, several times recurring during the day. Saw the physician's assistant Monday when I had my Fox Chase infusion and he attributed it to a few causes, any of which it could have been. Growth (didn't seem to have grown, in fact, the tumor shrunk from 3x2 cm to 2x2 cm) or shrinkage, or just plain discomfort he couldn't identify. It was only in the tumor on the left breast, so something was happening, I would guess.

The TX is working, though I was told I would be on it for "as long as my body could tolerate it". Last time it lasted from July 2014 to January 2015, a total of 8 cycles. Things held stable for about 6 months but the July 2015 CT scan showed growth, so I started back up again October 19th, about 6 weeks ago. Just had my third cycle. I am not happy to hear that I will have to keep going, as I hoped I could see "light at the end of the tunnel" in March or April.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago, at Stage IV, with pretty aggressive HER2+, ER+ (PR-) characteristics. It's hard to swallow the idea that I will live on this stuff and I'm hoping for a change in meds next summer, just to try something else for a while.

Our family wants to go overseas travel (Germany) next late summer, so I would love a break.

Still, I have to be happy that each day I have another day to live and enjoy my family.

newbie20111 · January 2016

take the trip!!!!!

get trip interuption insurance..cheap . gives peace of mind.

NotsoNewbie Noreen

EMAW · February 2016

Thanks for the encouragement, Noreen.

I've been taken off of the Taxotere (January CT Scan showed a mixed response after 4 cycles) and am now on Kadcyla. Will be posting on that page ("Who's on TDM1?").

Blessings to you ladies!

newbie20111 · February 2016

My second opionion last year was with a Johns Hopkins onco doc who seemed to like TDM1 as it gets inside the cell with fewer ( ?) side effects I am told...That may be my next one as well.

Good luck and hope you take a holiday to Germany!

NewbieNoreen

Shutterbug73 · July 2016

Bumping this tread

RonnieKay · July 2016

I had my onc meeting on Mon & my friend who works closely w/the oncs at my center said they're on board with TDM1 as well. I'm glad to hear good stuff in the arsenal when/if needed!

Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

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