Pause in Herceptin treatment and schedule for follow-up mammogram

Hi again,

You poor thing.  My heart goes out to you and family.  Bet you are sick of it.  Hope no more trips to hospital for you and can get on the home run. 

AirlieX

It does vary a bit depending on your situation and doctors preferences etc but most of us are seen by the surgeon each year for the mammogram/ultrasound check and then it may differ depending on the treatment you had as to who else wants to check you over too. 

Sorry to hear you have had another trip to hospital. Hope you are soon feeling better. It takes a while for those chemo effects to leave us in peace! Rest up and take care. Deanne xxx

Thnx Jane. I'm glad you eventually got to the end of your treatment. Hopefully in 12 months time I will look back at this and think it was a silly nothing. All the best.

Thnx Airlie. Good luck with your treatment. Many women have no problems with Herceptin - I just happen to not be one of them

Thanks Jen, I am definitely speaking up. Ended up in hospital again last night with tachycardia and shortness of breath. Today I can't get out of bed and can barely stand as my legs feel like they are going to buckle underneath me. Doctor has has told me to take it easy and rest for 2 weeks. Hopefully by then heart will feel a little better.

Thanks. This is reassuring. I could certainly do without the bumps in the road!!!!! 

Thanks Deanne. It's good to know you still have check ups with the oncologist. I thought once people finish treatment they were checked by the GP and don't see their oncologist. Makes sense that the oncologist does follow ups though.

Thanks Brenda. 

Hi Nadine,

I had Herceptin from June 2012 - August 2013 and had a small break towards the end of treatment when the ECGs detected a lowering of heart function. I was really worried and actually said to both my oncologist and surgeon was it really worth the risk of me continuing Herceptin, but both felt it was in my best interests to try and complete the 12 month course so I was referred to a Cardiologist and immediately put on heart tablets (can't remember the name now!) and was even more closely monitored. They also adjusted my dosage of Herceptin. I did finish the course and was on the heart tablets for a good 6 months before my heart function was back in the normal range and I could come off the tablets and I no longer see the Cardiologist.

In relation to follow-ups it does seem to vary a little but a 12 month ultrasound & mammogram seems fairly standard. I still see one of my team every 3 months (once a year with the surgeon to go over the mammogram / ultrasound results, twice a year with my oncologist who regularly requests blood tests and once a year with the radiation oncologist as follow-up / physical check). I believe when I hit the 5 year mark next February this will scale back - thank goodness :-) 

It was a significant bump in the road but thankfully the oncologists seem to be on top of how best to manage it so that with any luck it will be just a temporary set back. Best wishes, Jane xx

Hi Nadine. 

I too was diagnosed HER2 positive in dec 2015. Have had 3 ops and first chemo was 2 weeks ago. Another scheduled this week. I am anxious about it all and I would b concerned like you. We have to place all our faith in the professionals which can be difficult. I will follow your progress which I'm sure will be great. A rest for your heart and then back to kicking cancers butt. Stay in touch. X airlie??