Probably a really silly question, but am wondering how well our immune system works while on Herceptin. On chemo, it is trashed to pieces I know.
I have just come down with a really bad cold and feel pretty pants actually, and had the most awful sore throat yesterday which has eased a little now. I am really worried it will go onto my chest like it did when I was on chemo, and whether I should act now to get antibiotics.
My little boy is 2 on Thursday, and I missed his 1st birthday last year, as was in hospital as I was neutropenic - 0.08!!! I am NOT missing his birthday or his party next saturday, which is why I want to cover all options.
I have herceptin on Tuesday but do not want to mess that up either.
Can anyone (including the moderators please) help me with this.
Have replied to your posting on the other site. Nothing helpful to say I’m afraid but did want to say I hope you feel better really soon - in good time for J’s birthday and party.
The only thing that I could suggest is give your medical team a ring and have a chat with them and see if they can advise you on this one. You are welcome to phone the helpline but as it’s Sunday unfortunately isn’t open until 9am tomorrow, 0808 800 6000.
I got a right ticking off when I had a cold and felt a bit hot. I would definitely take some action on monday if you dont feel alot better. I am not suggesting anything is going to happen - far from it -but you will have covered everything. Maybe you can go the GP on monday as an emergency - don’t be shy.
Its actually hard to believe your neutrophils can go so low!!!
Hi Dawn - am in a similalr position as you (though avastin not herceptin) and a few weeks back had a sore throat I couldn’t shake off. I eventually went to my GP for antibiotics - she said I should have gone in sooner as given everything we have been through our immune systems are bound to need some extra help at times. When I said this to my onc. he agrred and said that getting checked out was not a bad thing!
Hi Dawn
I am sure I was told and have always assumed, so no ‘facts’ here, that as Herceptin isn’t a chemo it doesn’t affect the immune system as it isn’t killing off cells. We are having a chemical transfusion every 3 weeks that our bodies have to deal with and that will bring us down to a certain extent. My blood tests show that my immune system is functioning ok, even if the figures aren’t as high as they might be. However I had an infection over the summer and was on antibiotics but I have found that I need a 10 day course, whereas the normal course is 7 days, so my immune system needs help when under stress.
blondie
It has taken a while, about six months after finishing chemo, but my counts are getting back into the normal range. I’m on herceptin three weekly so it obviously isn’t having a negative effect.
Thanks for comments. I have been on Herceptin for nearly a year now, how time flies, and have it 3 weekly too. I think my immume system should be OK, but funnily enough, saw my onc on Wednesday night, and as I had a urine infection 2 weeks ago, I mentioned to him and he said my immune system will be bit lower cos of all treatment etc but nothing like when on chemo.
This is the first cold I have had in nearly a year I think, so doing well. Just timing stinks cos of Jacks birthday. Gonna see how I am today and tomorrow and then ask about antibiotics, as dont wanna risk my Herceptin being delayed, although dont think it would be.
Thanks again all.
love
Dawn
xx
PS. It is now “party” season for me, with all my daughters friends being 5 now, so busy busy busy!!!
Dawn - hope you are well enough for your parties. I remember last year you missing out. So fingers crossed.
I’m glad this had come up as though I haven’t had a cold as such I have had a horrible achy red throat for many many weeks -even months. Kept saying to myself I would go to the docs but didnt. After reading this thread maybe I should - what do you think. It is quite bad at the mo and has creamy markings on. It’s not a coating or ulcers it’s just a creamy colour.
Also after the last 3 herceptins I have felt very fluey and I asked the nurse last time about this as it was too much of coincidence it happened after treatment and she said it was a side effect. Also I get what I call “hormonal” the weekend after - just like when you start a period but haven’t had one for over 2 years.
Hi Dawn
i am in a similar situation, i am on no 11 herceptin out of 18, i seem to be picking alsorts up and have had cold sores for a while , and i have been in bed all weekend with a stinking cold, i am up this morning but i am cough , cough cough !!! i dont want to be off sick from work so i am trying to get myself going but feel rotten i think herceptin must be affecting the immune system in some way its such a powerful drug, but i wonder if i should get some antiobiotics !! i hope you feel better for the birthday party
take care
galen xx
I have been on Herceptin since December 2003 and I can’t say that I have had any more colds than anyone else, probably fewer if anything. I do have the flu jab as a precaution (ring your doctor’s surgery if you are interested) but I have found that any bacterial infections do seem to get a hold on me and, as I said in my previous entry, I had a strep infection over the summer and I ended up with 3 courses of antibiotics to shift it. The last course was 10 days, instead of the usual 7, and that did the trick - which must say something about the state of our immune system. I am really well, don’t get much in the way of side-effects (tiredness after treatment) but I do try to take it easy for the day or so after treatment.
It does sound as if, if you have a bad cold or sore throat, you will need help to get rid of it.
Good health to you all.
blondie