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SueRi's avatar
SueRi
Member
14 years ago

Hi everyone

Hello all,

I Have HER2+ ER+ Metastatic BC and the only treatments I have had is Femara and Herceptin. Herceptin is given to me every 3 weeks and I started it in March 2009 and they say I will continue until either it stops working for me or I start having heart problems.

Is there anyone else getting the same?

The only side effects I have is fatigue, headaches, joint pain, dry crusty nose, hot flushes I now get motion sickness and I my eyesight has gotten worse every year since diagnosis.

What are your side effects and how do you cope with them? I would love to get some ideas.

Sue

 

her2
herceptin
metastases

2 Replies

  • Jk48au's avatar
    Jk48au
    Member
    13 years ago
    I too am on herceptin every 3 weeks until the end of November. I had four lots of chemo(Docetaxel) along with the her Herceptin, which caused me a lot of side effects, white cells dropping, bleeding from bowell, allergic reactions just to name a few. I always got a dry crusty nose which split in the top corners, and nothing I put on it would help heal it. When I finished the chemo, I felt great, no nausea, or any of the other things I had suffered before, just tired if I do too much, BUT, I still get a sore nose. Told the oncologist about it and he said he didn't know why it was happening, as it usually only happens when having chemo. My last dose with chemo was 19th February, so could it still be causing this problem? I also have problems with my eyesight, and jut had them checked, all ok but was told they are very dry, so I use drops to help that. Doesn't help the floaters I have but was told it is an age related problem, ( isn't it always)? Love to hear from anyone who maybe able to she'd light on this problem Regards Jill
  • MandaMoo's avatar
    MandaMoo
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Sue

    I have metastatic Her2+ bc as well.  I have only been on hereptin in combination with chemo so I am not sure what side effects can be attributed to what. I have heard a number of women complain of the joint pain and fatigue and runny nose as a herceptin side effect and brittle nails.  

    I seem to cope OK with the side effects that I get - I think most of mine are related to the chemo that I take (I'm hormone -ve so not on any AI's).  The hot flushes and night sweats for me don't impact my life too much - I have just been given a gel pad for my bed at night which to date I haven't used but with the nights warming up it may be useful for the flushes.  I don't find the joint pain too debilitating so far - I just feel like a bit of a nanna at 39 some days. I have fatigue too but I'm a believer in remaining active to combat fatigue - not overdoing it - but not giving in to it - exercising moderately where and when I can.  With the "nose" side of things - I "douche" my nasal passages twice daily with saline and also use an antibiotic ointment on my nasal passages - this has worked for me with keeping my nose under control (I also take an antihistamine daily but this is for hayfever prevention).

    I have accupuncture weekly to keep on top of side effects and I believe that this helps me enormously.  

    This is a link to a US based website that I find really useful - this post was started in 2006 re: side effects from herceptin and Tykerb - there are some useful tips on there.

    http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23696

    Al the very best.

    Amanda x