Continuing Herceptin? Starting Tamoxifen? Poster Child for SE's!

I have the stiffness in the joints (mainly in my hands) when I wake up in the morning. It's in my shoulders as well. That started about a month ago. I have about 3 more Herceptin treatments to go. I believe November will be my last one. I didn't have pain in the joints until the last couple of weeks. 

I've been taking Tamoxifen since February. I was thinking it could be an SE of Tamoxifen (or a combination of the two). I guess not since you haven't even started Tamoxifen yet. The left hand and shoulder feel worse for me because I also have lymphedema in my left breast. I'd think any kind of swelling would increase that type of pain.

You're triple positive like me. You definitely need Herceptin and some form of hormone therapy. I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you that I will continue to follow the protocol that my MO prescribed regardless of the SEs. I want to knock this sucker out as soon as possible. I'll do anything to decrease the chances of a reoccurance. That's my 2 cents.

Now, this is very interesting. I also have issues walking up stairs too. My legs feel heavy. I thought it was because of my recent back surgery on a herniated disc that was compressing my sciatic nerve. This all makes sense now. I actually told my physical therapist today that I'm still having troubles with stairs. I don't have any pain in my legs, but they just feel heavy. He said it may be more of a chemo thing than a back or nerve issue. Huh, I thought the weakness in my legs was unrelated. The physical therapy has helped me gain more strength in my legs.

I'm starting to wonder about this now. I'll have to watch this possible SE more closely.

Hi SpecialK,

Yes, I was reading what you posted in the Triple Positive thread about the infusion times. I think that will be very helpful. I'm definitely going to ask for that next time. I am currently being infused under 90 minutes. I'll try anything at this point.

Thanks! You always offer great advise. 

New to forum. Without going into too many long boring details, I'm +++, finished 6 chemo infusions ( drugs) end of April. While healing from my lumpectomy and going through the screening process for my upcoming radiation, I mentioned the achiness in my legs, especially after sitting for any extended period. I attributed it to lack of working out and being 51! I was told, OH, no. That it is due to residual chemo side-effects. It only appears 3-6 months AFTER the end of the chemo. (taxotere/carboplatin).

I, too, am on Herceptin only now. I get it every 3 weeks until Jan, putting me at the one year mark.

These days I have no idea what drug is causing which side effect. Overall, I've done pretty well. I've prided myself on never throwing up from chemo and being able to stay working through out the entire process..I've been pretty lucky.

Now, I get achy and skin a little tingly, the occasional tingles in the feet and some dropsies with my hands. Oh, and don't forget about the lovely hot flashes! never ending...

notverybrave - there is a study that looked at 6 months of Herceptin versus 1 year, the 1 year group had fewer recurrences. Here is the link:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25935793

All - keep in mind that, generally speaking, it will take at least as long as treatment did to recover.

hang in there! My husband and my entire support system keep telling me I'm still healing even though I feel like I should be done with this already!

Hot flashes are never ending. I'm even on some efexsor to help although I'm not sure it is. Can't wait to get back to the gym and be normal again too.

Keep moving forward! We got this