Herceptin
Has anyone had any side affects from taking Herceptin, if so what were they?
Forum Discussion
11 Replies
Hi Jackie, you poor thing all of this and a cold as well. I hope you get over it quickly. I know what you mean about people telling me how well I look ! cos I feel like crap ..... I too was hoping to go back to work next year but dont know how I will be able to do that. My feet hurt all the time now I think it might be a side effect from the chemo and I still get REALLY tired. My onc told me that the herceptin is much more easily tolerated! and compared to the taxatere . I have started taking Arimidex and that can effect my joints yay more hobbling around LOL. Off for more herceptin on monday hope you are feeling better by then Hilary xxx
- Hi Hilary Thanks for your reassuring reply. Certainly having so many treatments at once makes it a bit of a minefield to work out what is causing what. It is two and a half weeks since I had my first herceptin and I am doing it tough with a good dose of the flu. As I write this, my temp is 38.3 degrees, with a cold, sore throat and terrible pains. Up until yesterday my hips were the worst but today I am hobbling around on very sore feet. I wasn't prepared at all for these side effects. My once just said that herceptin would be a breeze after chemo. I am a little alarmed as my plan is to return to work next year seeing as herceptin is a breeze! I read somewhere that if you have flu symptoms that it is worse on the first one, so I'm hoping that my next one will be better. At the moment I feel like a little old lady! I am also 11 days into radiotherapy and start tamoxifen next week. I hope your Teary symptoms have settled but if not please don't be too hard on yourself. Our bodies have been through so much in such a short period of time. We can't be expected to be 'up' all the time. I'm tired of people telling me I look good and that they know how I feel. At least on this website, we can be ourselves. With your ovaries out, will you still need tamoxifan or something similar? I know it is another surgery but if you can avoid years of drugs and their side effects, you may be glad you did. I'm going to ask my once about this as an option for me when I see him next week. Thanks for your support, hope to stay in touch Jackie
Hi, Jackie I am so sorry to here of your bumps in the road. I started my taxotere and herceptin at the same time so it was difficult to know which drug I was reacting to. I had a reduced dose of taxotere , then 2 doses of herceptin whilst I had my radiation treatment and my symptoms continued. Everyone kept telling me it couldn't be the herceptin! One of my chemo nurses told me it takes a while to get the taxotere out of your system and for the side effects from this drug to reduce . I have had 2 herceptin treatment on its own now and the chest pain and breathlessness is getting better, the nose bleeds have stopped but I still have lots of joint pain and painful feet!! The runny nose seems to be a common side effect from the herceptin , and my breathlessness and chest pain is subsiding.... I too was very worried about my heart and breathlessness. My Dr ordered a test on my heart( as a regular check whilst I am on herceptin) and this eased my mind. The awful side effects from the taxotere are reducing slowly so I am very hopeful that I am on the improve. Keep in touch , I hope things will get better for you Regards Hilary x
- Hi Hilary With so many treatments happening at once, it must seem impossible to know what is causing what. I too had taxotere, with terrible chest pains and breathlessness. Because of this herceptin was delayed and I couldn't have my last taxotere. Now that I have started herceptin, I have had mild chest pains and some breathlessness, a drippy nose, nosebleeds, headaches and aching joints, especially my hips. I feel quite arthritic. I am curious about your breathlessness. Did it start as soon as the taxotere was administered? I had several bad reactions to it, but always the chest pains. I have only had one herceptin and am worried that the mild chest pains will become worse. This happened not he second round of taxotere. Perhaps I am also allergic to this drug as well. Best wishes for your treatment Jackie
Hi Maurine, Its wednesday now and I had my herceptin on monday. I was a bit tired yesterday and a bit teary but I think that has more to do with the side effects from having my overes out a couple of weeks ago ! I am taking things easy as like you I am a bit scared of any possible side effects, but so far so good. Let me know how you go and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you .Hilary
Hi Dawn, thanks for the Her2 website. I did not know it exisited and over the last several months I have gone brain dead from exposure to so much info. I have secondary breast cancer. Just completed 12 weeks of chemo + Herceptin. In another few weeks I am supposed to start the Herceptin on it's own and was just trying to get a feeling as to what side affects to expect. Keep well and thanks for your help. Regards Maureen
Hi Hilary, thanks for your info. I have had a few doses of Herceptin but like you it was combined with other chemo drugs. I am soon going to have it on it's own and am a bit frightened of the side affects. So far I have gathered that tiredness and the running nose are an issue (aside from any heart probs). I have my fingers crossed for you that taking the Herceptin on it's own will be smooth sailing. I would be interested to hear how things go with you. I wish you all the best and thanks again for your input. Regards Maureen
Hi Maureen. I am also very new to this site. I have had 8 rounds of herceptin , the first 3 were combined with my Taxatare , 3 combined with radiation , 1 the same week I had my ovaries out and 1 this week with no other treatment ! I have had a dripping nose ( which is easy to live with) but have also found that I am very tired and for a couple of days after the treatment I get very breathless. I have had a heart ecco and my heart is fine. After speaking to other women on herceptin I have found that I am not the only one having these side effects. This treatment will be the telling cycle as I am not on anything other than that, so fingers crossed all goes well . Good luck with your journey and hope you are well . Hilary
Hi Maureen
I am quite new to the site also, there is lots of good info and support here, and also on the HER2 website too, have you had a look there? www.her2support.org. Have you been recently diagnosed, and about to start treatment?
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the info and yes I could also live with a dripping nose after having just completed 12 weeks of chemo. Congratulation on being in remission I wish you well for the future. Best wishes Maureen
