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Carol's avatar
Carol
Member
16 years ago

Mrs Carol W

I'd be interested to hear how many of you got Herceptin for early stage BC either before or after it came on the PBS about October 06. I was one of my oncologists first PBS patients.

Carol

33 Replies

  • Dear Kay,

     

    I also had a lot of joint pain but I put this down to also being on Arimidex (for post menopausal women and having no break between 4xAC; 4x taxol with peripheral .. pins & needles and numbness which eventually went; then radiotherapy to 4 locations starting 3 days after final chemo concurrently with Herceptin. After I think the 2nd or 3rd herceptin started on Arimidex which I am still on. Now 4 + years since surgery and 3 years into Arimidex - side effects weight gain, arthritis rings enlarged 4 sizes; elevated blood pressure; joint pain; osteporosis but finally over the hot flushes!

    Carol

     

     

     

  • My main problems with Herceptin was that I had issues with cannulation. However I persevered learning that having more fluids e.g. water or juice before I was due for treatment and not rushing round or getting het up (easier to say than do!!!) helped here. I did not want to have a port as would have happened had they had a second time of trying 3 places to get in.

    Also I think most of my other side effects were due to being put on Arimidex.

  • Hi Carol

    I started on Herceptin in January this year and am 12 treatments in 5 to go. I am having a lot of trouble with joint and muscle pain and was interested to know if anyone else has this issues. I still have loss of feeling in my toes and balls of my feet but I am putting this down to the Taxotere.

    I am hoping that the aches and pains might reduce when the Herceptin is finished. No problems with the heart so far. My kids think I don't have one anyway so thats no surprise.

    Any info would help

    Kay

  • Hi Carol

    I started on Herceptin in January this year and am 12 treatments in 5 to go. I am having a lot of trouble with joint and muscle pain and was interested to know if anyone else has this issues. I still have loss of feeling in my toes and balls of my feet but I am putting this down to the Taxotere.

    I am hoping that the aches and pains might reduce when the Herceptin is finished. No problems with the heart so far. My kids think I don't have one anyway so thats no surprise.

    Any info would help

    Kay

  • Hi Carol,

    I was one of the first to go on Herceptin after it went on the PBS.

    My experience wasn't good. My heart function plummetted and I was taken off the treatment after 11 sessions. I should have had 18 all up but it wasn't to be.

    My heart is still in trouble and I am now under a heart specialist.

    You can't win sometimes  can you! LOL

     

    Did you have any problems?

     

    Rennay