Herceptin side effects

I finished my last Herceptin 2 weeks ago.  I was on it for a year.  Once I was off the Taxol along with the Herceptin, I really didn't have much for side effects.  I'd get a little bit of a headache after the infusion, and my nails are weak and peel easily, but that's about it.  It was much easier than chemo.  They did give me tylenol before each infusion, I think to counteract the flu-like symptoms that you can get, but I think I would have been fine without it.  Now, I just hope the Herceptin did it's job and I'll stay 'NED'.

2-1-2013 I had breast cancer on one side and had mastectomy and chemo in 1999 and last year 2012 cancer spread to my spine.  I had Radiation and chemo again ended in Oct. 2012.  I started Herceptin 3 every three weeks in Oct. 2012 and oral pill -generic for Aromasin.  My 1st treatment with Herceptin was when I was taking chemo and I had nausea for up to a week, but this is better.  I also felt terrible and had a rash and extremem fatigue the first few treatments that were once a week with and without chemo for 16 weeks.  Now I take just Herceptin every 3 weeks and have noticed SE include sometimes a little nausea for a week after & sometimes not.  I still have fatigue but not as bad as when taking Herceptin with chemo.  I have stiffness in my hands and sometimes can't make a fist for bend my fingers.  I have had diarriha sometimes for a few days after treatment.  I also have aches in my lower back and joints that are worse for a week after treatment.  I also have back problems and had cancer in my back this time, but the pain is worse after treatment for a week or less.  I have dry throat and nose and sometimes bleeidng.  I have runny nose off and on.  My whitecount has never gotten back up to high normal range.  It is usually 4 or 5 and it was 10 before I started chemo or herceptin.  If you have any different symptoms from Herceptin or if spreading it out from every 3 weeks to once a week has helped you with side effects, please let me know.