Hi, Having breezed through the first cycle of my FEC treatment with only heartburn( treated with somac tablet) and mild fatigue in first week of treatment, I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences about docetaxel and herceptin and what to expect. In two weeks time, I will be undergoing the second half of chemo of the cocktail mixture of docetaxel, herceptin and a trial drug placebo. I am expected to finish chemo mid December this year ( thank God), and then I will continue with herceptin and the trial drug for the whole of 2013. Radiation therapy will also be fitted in somewhere lol. And to top it all off, I will be required to take tamoxifen after 2013 for the next five years.

I too have had a similar pathway of treatment laid out for me, and am heading towards my 12th round of herceptin - due to finish the course in mid-February 2013. For me, at the stage you are at it seemed to be a masssive task to complete everything, and I wondered how I would do it all. With the passing of time, absolute determination to succeed, and wonderfule support from everyone I am nearly done. There were some side effects from the docetaxyl that were managed by medication, and intermittent fatigue from the herceptin that I manage by having a nap some days. Keep talking to your oncologists and the oncology staff. You will get to know them all very well! I find that exercising as much as possible keeps me positive. You will feel better and better phsically as you recover from the chemotherapy and on herceptin alone your energy levels will return quite quickly. Following my passion in a couple of other interests also helps take me outside the mental and emotional merry-go-round that I can occasionally find myself in. I wish you all the very best in your journey and please don't hesitate to stay on this site if you want to talk about herceptin or indeed anything at all. There is a lot of love and support freely given to help us all along.

Thank you bmc for your well wishes. Ive put my brave face one to face the next lot of new drugs ;-)

Don't always have to be brave - just take one step at a time, one day at a time. Also, forgot to say that I am on Femara now - that's what I was most concerned about, but it has been pretty much OK. Going to bed early to read my new book! Part of looking after myself. Thinking of you.

Thanks magicmum...I suppose I just have to wait and see in two weeks , a positive attitude has helped me heaps through this.

Happy Reading...I still havent read 50 shades of grey that my best friend gave me just before surgery...something to keep my mind off the pain lol...

Docetaxel and Herceptin | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

Jk48au
Member
13 years ago
Hi Sylvia Thanks for your reply, I think I am still having problems with the chemo after effects, as I have had a nose bleed and the edge of my nose is cracked and sore. I feel good compared to how I felt on the chemo, but, like you, I get worn out easily. My aches seem to have eased, but my memory is getting worse, which is a side effect of Aramidex apparently. A small price to pay I suppose, if it prevents the cancer from returning. Thanks again
scoombe71
Member
13 years ago
Not sure about your situation Jill, but I definately got aches in joints straight after chemo, apparent;y its the docetaxal i was told. It lasted for a month, i couldnt walk far before getting puffed out. I am still on heceptin and the trial / placebo plus Tamoxifen now. only side effect is a slight metallic taste in my mouth and slight loss of appetite but that could be due to partner lol...take care, Sylvia xoxo
Jk48au
Member
13 years ago
Finished my 4 rounds of Docetaxel with herceptin, and had my first round of herceptin on its own this week. How great to feel almost normal again. I am also on arimadex tablets and although I am to having nasty chemo side effects, I am still having nose bleeds and aches in my joints, mainly my feet, but have been having some mood swings which are not good for me or my long suffering husband. Can anyone tell me if this could be the arimadex? I was told it may cause joint pain but nothing about mood swings although the chemist said I might notice hormonal changes. I am we'll past menopause so didn't think it would have much effect. Regards Jill
Jk48au
Member
13 years ago
Hi Sylvia Thanks for your advice, I am having a better day today, things don't feel as bad. Hope all goes well with the rest of your treatment. Jill
scoombe71
Member
13 years ago
Hi Jill,

I take somac for the heartburn, my chemo finished mid December. However, I am still on somac, still hic cupping and burping for no reason every now and then. I tried to wean off the somac, bad idea lol. I am currently on herceptin and a trial drug/ placebo , plus radiotherapy ( half way, thank God). Will start tamoxifen soon. I had burns to the hands from docetaxel but that cleared up by end of December. My nose drips every now and then, emberassing when it happens at work lol. However, had feet oedema since January, getting better though, refused the water pills the onc offered. Taste buds came back in January.

You'll be right mate, Sylvia
Jk48au
Member
13 years ago
Hi I just found your blog while searching for others that may have suffered from heartburn and stomach cramps. I am on much the same cocktail, am about to have my last chemo on 19th of this month, and then go onto herceptin plus arimitex a hormone blocker, this will continue for 13 more sessions. I was interested to read that others have had heartburn, I take the Pariet that my oncologist gave me but don't feel much benefit from it. I have had a hard ride, each time I seem to have side effects, last time I ended up in emergency for the second time, due to my white cells dropping and my temperature rising. This time they only held me for three hours and sent me home saying I wasn't critical, and told to have another blood test the next day. Two days later I had bleeding from the bowel and freaked!!!! Saw my GP who did another blood test and said my white cells were very elevated and I had an infection somewhere. Now on antibiotics, I really want it all to be over but have a long road ahead yet. I have pains in my stomach, a split in my nose that will not heal, and no taste buds. So sorry to whinge, but I really try to stay positive. I am hoping being on herceptin and arimitex and no chemo will give me an easier time. My hands and arms are peeling due to allergic reaction to the chemo, can't even wear my wedding ring. It is nice to know there are lovely ladies in this network who know how I am feeling. Thanks for listening xx Jill
Jk48au
Member
13 years ago
Hi I just found your blog while searching for others that may have suffered from heartburn and stomach cramps. I am on much the same cocktail, am about to have my last chemo on 19th of this month, and then go onto herceptin plus arimitex a hormone blocker, this will continue for 13 more sessions. I was interested to read that others have had heartburn, I take the Pariet that my oncologist gave me but don't feel much benefit from it. I have had a hard ride, each time I seem to have side effects, last time I ended up in emergency for the second time, due to my white cells dropping and my temperature rising. This time they only held me for three hours and sent me home saying I wasn't critical, and told to have another blood test the next day. Two days later I had bleeding from the bowel and freaked!!!! Saw my GP who did another blood test and said my white cells were very elevated and I had an infection somewhere. Now on antibiotics, I really want it all to be over but have a long road ahead yet. I have pains in my stomach, a split in my nose that will not heal, and no taste buds. So sorry to whinge, but I really try to stay positive. I am hoping being on herceptin and arimitex and no chemo will give me an easier time. My hands and arms are peeling due to allergic reaction to the chemo, can't even wear my wedding ring. It is nice to know there are lovely ladies in this network who know how I am feeling. Thanks for listening xx Jill
scoombe71
Member
13 years ago
Happy Reading...I still havent read 50 shades of grey that my best friend gave me just before surgery...something to keep my mind off the pain lol...
scoombe71
Member
13 years ago
Thanks magicmum...I suppose I just have to wait and see in two weeks , a positive attitude has helped me heaps through this.
bmc
Member
13 years ago
Don't always have to be brave - just take one step at a time, one day at a time.

Also, forgot to say that I am on Femara now - that's what I was most concerned about, but it has been pretty much OK.

Going to bed early to read my new book! Part of looking after myself.

Thinking of you.