I'm on Herceptin x3 weekly infusions and this week's treatment will be no. 67. I've experienced a variety of side effects and when mentioned to my oncologist the response has always been casual, almost disinterested, although for everything else I have had excellent health care. My GP finally listened when I hobbled into his surgery with feet so tender it was excruciating to walk - very debilitating! There appears to be no trigger and it comes and goes. GP prescribed Celebrex which I take on work days (a few hours for a couple of days a week). I have outbreaks of severe mouth ulcers and a bi-carb rinse eases the pain. There have been times when I couldn't use an arm or hand due to tenderness and I found a surgical stocking and arthritis glove helped. Recently I have become very stiff and sore in muscles and joints and its a challenge to get out of bed in the morning and I find my limited mobility distressing - given that I've always been very agile and fit. A couple of years ago I had intermittent severe headaches and outbreaks of conjunctivitis. I've also become hyper sensitive to artificial scent resulting in immediate headache. For two years I've had injections for osteoporosis and now inject Clexane daily as a blood clot developed under my port (excellent care as my Oncologist phoned me within two hours of my scan, phoned my GP to arrange prescription. I had my first injection the next day). The list of possible side effects is long and varied. I value the BCNA links to specific topics and find it reassuring to know that others have similar experiences. To date, and its been a few years, I have found medical professionals very casual in their approach to Herceptin symptons and I have wanted to scream, 'This is debilitating!' Anecdotal evidence suggests the side effects and symptoms to be very real! Thanks BCNA for this forum.
love, Beryl C.
