Forum Discussion

airlie's avatar
airlie
Member
10 years ago

Paclitacel and Herceptin

Hi my fellow ladies, 

Have finished my EC chemo and in a fortnight start on Paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks with Herceptin being introduced 3 weekly. 

They both sound very frightening and am worrying about the side effects now.

Its doin my head in and I dont like that. 

Any help ladies please?

?? Airlie ?? 

9 Replies

  • Hi Airlie,

    I had Docetaxel with herceptin, the Docetaxel was terrible, now I have finished chemo I still have herceptin every 3 weeks and don't have a problem and they will keep an eye on your heart every 3 months. I don't know about the Paklitaxel. Someone will on here thats for sure.

    Take care all the best with the remainder of your treatment.

    Cheers Jen ?? ?? ?? xx 

  • Thanks Caitlin 

    So good to hear positive stories. 

    I hope you go just as well with  Herceptin. 

    All the answers from the lovely ladies has eased my mind. 

    Thank you 

    Hugs Airlie ?? ?? 

  • Thanks so much for your message. It sounds a bit manageable than EC which I will be happy about. 

    Thanks as also for advice on tingling and numbness.

    Hope your going really well. 

    Hugs Airlie ?? ?? 

  • Hi Michelle, 

    Thanks so much. So good to hear a positive outcome. I will be ticking them off for sure. Hope all is good for you.

    Hugs  Airlie ?? ?? 

  • Thanks Kari, 

    So good to hear positive stories. I hope my experience will be similar.

    Hugs Airlie ?? 

  • Hi Airlie,

    I completed 12 weeks of weekly Taxol in March with Herceptin added in early Jan. This was after 4 rounds of 3 weekly AC.

    For me, the Taxol was much easier to tolerate than the AC which caused extreme fatigue & nausea. 

    The side effects I had throughout my weekly Taxol was a dry/bloody nose, numbness & tingling in my fingers, nail weakness/discoloration & sore muscles. My oncologist said these symptoms were due to Taxol as Herceptin shouldn't cause any side effects. 

    It's been a month since I finished chemo & I've had 1 Herceptin session since. I'm happy to report most of my symptoms have gone!

    All the best Airlie.

    Caitlin ?? Xox

  • HHi don't worry, there will be lots of advice on the way. I was on Taxol - things to be aware of are it can affect soft tissue, so your nose can get sore and a bit bloody. You may also get some eye strain(this will pass). I lost my taste buds curiously I could still taste quite mild things like banana and avocado, but cooked things tastes a lot like cardboard. All came back pronto when the treatment stopped. Watch out for tingling on the fingers and toes, vitamin B may help but discuss with you oncologist. I had no side effects from Herceptin at all.

    Good luck, counting down the weeks helped me, half way there, then three, two, one, hooray!

     

  • Hi Airlie,

    It will be better than you think so don't worry too much.

    I had 12 weeks of Paclitaxel with no side effects to speak of at all until the last week when I got a bit dizzy.  Just be sure to take all your pre and post meds over the treatment period - it helps to keep a chart you can tick off as there are a few of them!

    You will probably have a blood test each week to monitor your progress and get weighed each week for dosage as well.  It passes quickly.

    Good luck!  I didn't have Herceptin so can't comment. xx Michelle

  • Hi Airlie, I have been on Herceptin & Perjeta since November last year.  The only side effects for me so far is a runny nose (some of the time) and stiff joints (overnight), but that could also be age and lack of exercise catching up with me!!  My latest heart scan this week also showed not loss of function.  Hopefully your experience will be as easy as mine.

    Kari