TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Here is the deal on why Claritin helps post-Neulasta injection. Neulasta works to boost WBC (white blood cells) by artificially stimulating growth of new cells in the bone marrow. The largest bones in the body have the most marrow, thus the pain - often in hips, shoulders, etc., although some get pain almost everywhere. Claritin (loratadine) eases the edema that happens as the marrow expands to accomodate those newly created WBC. Yay! FYI - some oncologists also approve double the regular 10mg dose, but again this is why you should check before taking it with your individual MO.

Jaboo-from your history I saw no radiation. It is possible to avoid it with her2 positive? I am triple positive had chemo and bilateral Goldilocks mastectomy. I am wondering if there is chance to skip radiation. I will be taking herceptin and hormonal pills .

SpecialK, thank you for that, I always wondered how it worked. I wish there was a "like" button here

SpecialK- thank you for taking your time and answering. You give a a glimmer of hope that radiation could be avoided. I had Ac plus taxol treatment so harsh on my body and I have still some on and off bone sensitivity in lower leg. I am recovering from bilateral Goldilocks mastectomy and I know I have to continue herceptin and start hormon pills. I hope avoide radiotherapy. I do not have yet path report but my surgeon told me all nodes he took were negative. That is why I am hoping that I will not need radio. Thanks again and may never this ugly disease tu he’s any of us and anyone

Thank you ladies for all your wonderful advice.

SpecialK - I did the genetic testing, and they all came out negative. I was actually taking the Claritin (2 days pre, 7 days post) as well as Tylenol, and the bone pain was still pretty debilitating. I called Wednesday and they said I could switch over to Aleve for pain relief when originally I was told not to use NSAIDS. I have heard about doubling the Claritin, and may ask my MO before the next round to see if that makes any difference. I'm day 9 now and feeling much better. It appears I did turn that pivotal corner.

I think I'll wait another week and see how my hair is faring. My youngest son has preschool orientation next week, and I'd rather not look like a cancer patient for that. I did buy a wig, and my SIL who also had BC sent me a few scarves and wraps, so I feel prepared supply wise for that step.

Met with the RO this morning, even though that step is a ways out. Need to make the decision between 4 weeks or 6 weeks of treatment. The guidelines say 6 but as he said, the guidelines are based on trials and studies of women older than myself. The under 40 crowd is vastly underrated in trials and studies, and they tend to just throw everything and the kitchen sink at us because we have such a longer time experience recurrence. I'm leaning toward the 6 weeks. My husband asked the RO if it was his wife, what choice he would make, which I thought was a good touch.

@Autumn gal that was my experience with Neulasta as well. HATED it. Despite all the claritin and Tylenol I had pretty debilitating pain in my low back/hips that throbbed down my legs and made me writhe around sleeplessly most nights, but it only lasted a week (days 3-9). It was bad enough that I considered asking my onc if we could just skip the Neulasta next round (my WBC counts have been really high at all my labs so far, we'll see what they're like @ my next chemo Monday), but if some women have had improvement with doubled up Claritin I'll ask about that.

My hair started coming out on day 16, and I buzzed it pretty short that day but left some length in the front to show under hats (the obvious lack of hair under a hat look made me feel like I "looked sick". But the hair I have left doesn't look like it will last long...

I had TCHP HeartShapedBox. Neulasta is evil. You can take Claritin to help with the bone pain. and I used tea tree oil on my fingernails to keep them from coming up off their beds. Hugs, you can do this!

JaBo-what is your experience with herceptin and tamoxifen pills? Any se?

Heartshapedbox - I'm going to ask about this on Thursday for my next infusion. It was excruciating last time for me. Same with me; I took the Claritin faithfully and the Tylenol and it didn't touch the pain.

Just found out today my cancer is triple positive. What exactly does this mean? Initially was told it was triple negative so I know it’s better than that. Starting chemo on Friday.

I also did Livestrong, great class and it was a good way to ease back into a fitness routine while paying attention to any restrictions due to surgery or lymphedema.

triple - I did the Virgin Diet, an anti-inflammatory diet, and it was the only way I could lose weight while on anti-hormonals. I tried sensible calorie counting and exercise, South Beach, lost nothing. I ate 1500 cals a day and walked 5 fast miles, lost zero. Tried this and did lose, slowly - 22 lbs in six months - but I had three surgeries over that time period and didn’t exercise at all. Here are links. I wouldn’t really buy the books - just follow the basic instructions. The theory is that these seven foods can cause inflammation and prevent weight loss. Corn, soy, sugar, eggs, dairy, peanuts, gluten. These are things that are either grown with a plethora of pesticides applied, or have aspects that many are allergic or sensitive to. The premise is to eliminate these foods, then add them back individually for a period of time, and check if they cause trouble. I only added eggs back, and then only now and then. People asked what I ate, and the answer is mostly food in whole form, lean, clean, organic (I followed the dirty dozen/clean fifteen from EWC) or grass/pasture fed, low glycemic index. I had to read labels to find the hidden ingredients and found using almost no processed food to be the easiest approach. I can give you a list of processed things that are the least offensive, if you’re interested

http://www.chewfo.com/diets/the-virgin-diet-by-jj-virgin-2012-what-to-eat-and-foods-to-avoid-food-list/

https://www.health.com/weight-loss/the-virgin-diet

Thanks Special K! I’ve had some ongoing inflammation and noticed more soreness after helping my daughter move. I had been eating pretty clean but we travelled a lot this summer and added more sweets and gluten to diet. Will check out those books and be more diligent. Did you ever take any anti-inflammatory meds

Thank you Special K. I hope your numbers normalize and that everything is okay. Will send positive thoughts your way

TriplePHtown - Are the YMCA live strong classes doable during radiation? or better wait treatment is done?

triple - how is your skin? Can you wear a sports bra? My classes included works my out in an obstacle course and doing things like planks and heavy ropes.

tess - thanks for the good wishes, will keep any news updated.