Hi There. I have been told Herceptin injection will be available soon. Has anyone had one already. Don't want to jump out of frying pan into fire! :)

Not to add to worry but not on the list is damage to the heart muscle. Again, it's not common but it's the one I was monitored for (none occurred).

Hello, it's Lisa from the Policy Team. A new form of Herceptin, called Herceptin SC, has been listed on the PBS for people with HER2-positive breast cancer. As you said, it is administered as an injection which takes about 2 to 5 minutes to deliver. We have developed a Beacon article which provides more information about this new form of Herceptin. You can read the article here. If you would like to know whether Herceptin SC might be suitable for you, it would be best to talk to you medical oncologist.Warm regards,Lisa

Hi, I'm getting herceptin via IV at the mo. I've heard conflicting stories on whether it will be available to me. I've heard of at least one place that is using it already.

I asked my chemo nurses about it last time I went in for my herceptin, she asked an on duty oncologist he just shrugged his shoulders. I am very interested in finding if it would suit as k have another to go and my veins are useless so its a drama everytime I have an IV. Guess I'll have to wait till July to see my oncologist. Cheers Jen ?? ?? ?? xx

Hi. The Herceptin injection is being offered at my chemo unit. The chemo nurses discussed it with me on Tuesday as an option I may wish to consider. I was told that the injection is on average about 5 mls. The dose is still based on the weight of the patient. It goes in the upper thigh. It takes about 3-5 minutes to receive this drug opposed to 30 -45 minutes to receive it by IV. It's common to get a raised bump at the injection site but that goes down in a couple of hours as the body absorbs the drug. It is being offered to women who are already receiving Herceptin by IV as studies have shown no real concerns switching between the two different delivery methods. I guess new patients may also be offered it. At least 3 women in my chemo unit are having the injections. I was also told there are no plans to allow the injections to be self administered (like Neulasta) at this stage. Not sure if I will take it up especially since I just had a second surgery to correct my port. Cheers Nadine

Herceptin Injection | BCNA Online Network

Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Herceptin can possibly cause damage to the heart wall, so this will be monitored by the scans. I had no problem with it in spite of having an irregular heartbeat. If you have problems with veins, a port may be suggested. I had 6 months of chemo, an awful lot of blood tests (I was on warfarin for a while, 2 or 3 blood tests a week) and 12 months on Herceptin, mostly using one arm and my veins made it (OK yelling and protesting, but still made it)! Chemo education sounds like a good idea. I know it's hard but try not to worry about things before they happen. They might never happen at all. Best wishes.
viking1
Member
8 years ago
I am about to start chemo in a few weeks and am HER2 positive, grade 3. I have to have a heart scan on 8/8/2017 as they said one of the drugs(?) can cause heart problems. Am wondering if this is the herceptin? They said I would probably have 6 cycles of chemo, 1 every 3 weeks, 5 weeks off, then radiation every day for 5 to 6 weeks. I think the radiation is because I had a right axillary clearance, with 3 nodes out of 16 cancerous. I was told I'd go to a chemo education session before starting. I will bring up the herceptin injection as that sounds great. I'm in WA at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital if anyone else out there is at the same hospital. Am a bit freaked out by people's problems with veins and radiation burns, 28 weeks approx.☹ It sounds like you are all doing it though, so that is motivating. You're my heroes!
Cassina
Member
8 years ago
Yes the Herceptin SC certainly does sting, but so quick and still hurting the next day. Not sure if this is normal?
Payne
Member
8 years ago

Lmc1310 said:

I haven't experiences nausea or headaches with 30 minute dosage. It is so interesting to see how we all differ. I would also like to hear from those who are having SC injection
.

@Lmc1310, I Have had 10 via SC with 10 more to go. Haven't experienced side effects but it does sometimes sting. I think that the degree of stinging can depend on the skill of the nurse.Doesn't sting as much as being cannulated when veins are tricky. Because I was also having chemotherapy and then radiotherapy at the same time, was difficult to know what side effects were from chemo and which were from Herceptin. I did get headaches while on chemo but they subsided after few weeks of last round.

I too would like to hear from others.

Best wishes,
Sue P
Lmc1310
Member
8 years ago
I haven't experiences nausea or headaches with 30 minute dosage. It is so interesting to see how we all differ. I would also like to hear from those who are having SC injection
.
Amazonia
Member
8 years ago
Hi all,
I am mid way through my Herceptin with 8 to go.
Had discussions with my oncologist regarding delivery pace with IV as I found when it was delivered over 30 minutes (3 weekly) I developed nausea and migraine the next day.
He has documented this occurring with other patients also but not many.
In response, my IV is now delivered over 60 minutes and have not had any side effects since.
Has anyone else experienced this ? And just wondering if a quick SC injection might cause similar side effects?
I will ask him next consult..
Thanks.
A.
Cassina
Member
8 years ago
yes, I have been told the same and they put a portal int the thigh for the injection. They say heart issues are not common, however they say a lot of things! just be reassured the cost of Herceptin if you had to pay would be thousands!! previously $70,000 as I know of some who paid for it, so maybe we a lucky to have if available
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
@Payne
Thanks Payne, it helps to relieve my anxiety a little bit to know that the injection was not painful.

Hugs, Liana xx
Payne
Member
9 years ago
I am Her2 positive and started Herceptin s/c Friday 2nd. I will continue this for 12 months on 3 weekly cycle. Also started chemo at same time but that goes for 6 x 3 weekly cycles. Don't think I experienced any side effects from herceptin. Only side effects were from chemo. The injection was administered in thigh and was not painful. My oncologist assures me that herceptin is very effective for this type of cancer. I have done further research myself and this backs up all that has been said. My oncologist said side effect to watch for was changes to heart so heart ultra sound before and regular checks along the way. I felt relieved when it was being injected as I felt as it is a target therapy, was going straight to the point. Unlike chemo. Lucky for us it is available on PBS. Warm wishes to you.
Sue P
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
@Jennybutter have you finished all your herceptin treatments? I was running out of good veins during chemo and chemo drugs leaked and damaging surrounding tissues around my wrist so had to get picc line inserted. I've finished chemo and will start the herceptin and wondering if I should keep my picc line for my herceptin or take my picc line out and take herceptin through iv or through injections. what was your experience like through iv?