How long after chemo before starting Herceptin?

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Lakonia
Lakonia Member Posts: 29
Could people pls tell me how long after finishing their chemo they started Herceptin - if they had it separately that is?
I believe that it has to be within a certain time after the chemo finishes.
thanks everyone
Lakonia

Comments

  • jewelsinalabama
    jewelsinalabama Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lakonia. First off, I hope all is going well with you. After I finished my Adramycin & cytoxan (4doses in 8wks), I started my Herceptin along with Taxotere. Once the taxotere was completed, I kept going with my Herceptin once a week for a total of 52 doses. By the way I had NO side effects from the Herceptin. My MUGA scans changed alittle, but were still in the "normal" range. Good Luck and take care. Hang in there. If you've lost your hair, be prepared it will come back...it may be a different texture & color but it will come back. I've got the curls and thickness of a teenager I love my hair!!!!!!!!!!
  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    Hi jewels in alabama
    thank you for your reply and also the info about hair. do you mean that your hair came back well while you were on the Herceptin as I've heard that it can slow hair regrowth quite a lot or even stop it?
    thanks
  • jewelsinalabama
    jewelsinalabama Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2007
    I started chemo in Sept 3,2005 and was bald basically by Sept 14th, then on Dec 25, 2005 I could actually see some stubble (a great Christmas present). Now in July 07,I can hardly get a brush thru it and it is about 5in long when I pull it straight. Oh by the way, I have yet to get mine cut. I guess it's a psychological thing. When I have my reconstructive surgery I think maybe then I will get it cut. I'm just glad they've come out with these cute head bands...it helps to keep my hair tame My finger nails are another story, they haven't really grown long, but I have them and though they may be short they seem healthy and no longer hurt a bit!! I hope all goes well for you
  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    thanks again jewelsinalabama
    that's great to know. Best of luck with your reconstruction.
    Best wishes
    lakonia
  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited May 2007
    I started my Herceptin with the Taxotere too, after Ac was done.

    One year later I have thick curly hair too.

    Fists up!
  • lisaelder1972
    lisaelder1972 Member Posts: 171
    edited May 2007
    I finished 4 DD AC and 4 DD Taxotere on November 13 and started Herceptin on December 5.I don't know why I didn't get any with my chemo.My hair looks like a porcupine,it sticks straight and all I can do is use gel and wax and go with the spike.But I am very proud just to have hair.I think mine has grown slowly but everyone else said it didn't.I do have some side effects:fatigue,joint pain,nose bleeds.I will gladly put up with them for the wonderful benefits I get from Herceptin.

    Lisa
  • jbettie
    jbettie Member Posts: 19
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lakonia!
    I too had 4 dd ac followed by 4 dd taxotere + herceptin. I will continue my herceptin infusions every other week through November 2007 which will be one year from the time that i started. My understanding is that, for us Her2+ gals, the herceptin is definitely a must. It isn't so bad. i am back to working fulltime & actually look forward to my "nap time" at the chemo suite. Benedryl seems to help with the achiness but it really knocks me out so i can only take one when i have the infusion & the other when i get home. Fatigue, joint pain & nosebleeds are the worst of it. I am glad Lisa mentioned that because i was beginning to wonder why i have had so dang many nosebleeds. Glad to know i'm not the only one.
    Hang in there, Lakonia, things definitely get better!
    And by the way, my hair is about an inch long now & thick thick thick...i think it is beginning to go either curly or wavy which is awesome & this is after finishing chemo in december. I have heard that the herceptin can cause slower hair growth but any hair is good hair as far as i am concerned!
    Jules
  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    Many thanks for your replies Jules, Lisa and Mary-Anne.
    Best wishes
    Lakonia
  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lakonia,

    I started FEC (3 rounds, every 3 weeks) on Jan. 25, 2007 then 3 rounds of Taxotere - my last of 3 will be next week- May 10th - my onc. wants me to have a 4 week break (he will do another MUGA scan) and then start me on Herceptin on June 7th - once every 3 weeks for a year.
    He is really optimisitic about my recovery - he told me he predicts a "well over 90% cure rate" for me.
    all the best
    caya
  • mkl48
    mkl48 Member Posts: 350
    edited May 2007

    I thought some current research suggests Herceptin should begin at some time during the chemo protocol.Beth Perhaps it isn't significant in stage 1 node neg tumors

  • sns
    sns Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2007

    I did 6FEC (three weeks apart) and started Herceptin three weeks after the last chemo. Finished chemo in early January and have about 1/2" of hair now - no idea what it's going to do, suspect it's going to to curly and much greyer. I haven't had any side effects from the Herceptin. Just had my second muga scan and don't have the results yet, so don't know if there's been any change in heart function.

  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    Hi Caya, nm and sns (love your photo sns)

    Many thanks for your replies.
    Best wishes
    Lakonia
  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lakonia,

    You're welcome - but what do nm and sns stand for?

    thanks
    caya
  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    Hello again Caya

    nm46 and sns are people who also replied to my post - see above - the two posts after yours - and they are included in my thanks.
    Best wishes
    Lakonia
  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lakonia-
    lol - it's a good thing tomorrow is my last chemo before Herceptin - chemo brain city!!

    caya
  • Lakonia
    Lakonia Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2007
    Hi Caya
    Don't worry I've still got chemo brain ! I had my last Taxotere a week ago and I'm still waiting to start feeling 'normal' again.
    In fact you and I are more or less at the same stage except that I've got rads to come. I've had 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere. I've got rads starting in a couple of weeks and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.
    Good luck with the last Taxotere.
    Best wishes
    Lakonia

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