How long after chemo before starting Herceptin?

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!!!!!!!!!!

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

I started my Herceptin with the Taxotere too, after Ac was done.

One year later I have thick curly hair too.

Fists up!

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

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

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.

Hi Lakonia,

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

thanks
caya

Hi Lakonia-
lol - it's a good thing tomorrow is my last chemo before Herceptin - chemo brain city!!

caya