Herceptin and Rads at the same time

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hi all - just spoken to my onc who has suggested that I kick off my herceptin regime next week which will be week 2 of rads. I am happy enough to go along with that cause the sooner I start the sooner I finish and also I am still off work at the mo so if there are any side effects I will be not have to deal with that too - anyone else done this ? what is your experience ? I’m a bit nervous of starting herceptin cause I had a horrid time on chemo (taxol and taxotere in particular) I’m sure I will be fine it’s just on my mind…

any advice most welcome. LR XX

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Hi RECS

First I would say don’t worry about Herceptin. Aside from the possible effects on the heart there are no nasty side effects like with chemo. Like my nurses told me, Herceptin is not a chemo & doesn’t cause any of those. As far as the heart goes I have a heart scan every 3 months, & have been told if they see anything of concern they will shorten this to 6 weeks; however no probs so far. It’s funny though how different treatments are in different places. I had 1st & 2nd Herceptins with 5th & 6th chemos, & then it was suspended for the duration of rads & re-started 3 weeks after rads finished, & a heart scan was done before the re-start. I’ve just had no.5 of 17 this afternoon, & it has been my first one at home.

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I had herceptin and rads at the same time. In fact i had my 1st rads and 1st herceptin on the same day. I have had 3 doses of herceptin so far and no side effects, dose number 4 is tomorrow. I wanted to start herceptin ASAP as the same as you the sooner you start the sooner you finish.

As it is not chemo, you should not have the same side effects as chemo. My hair and eyebrows are starting to grow back (last chemo was feb 10). I went back to work 4 weeks ago and find herceptin does not make me tired like chemo.

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Just to say that I’ve had 10 lots of Herceptin so far and have had absolutely no side affects whatsoever. Infact the last time I was in and out of the hospital within an hour…record time !

Its not affected my hair growing back…not given me any aches or pains. So fingers crossed youll be the same xx

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Thanks all - ths is a great comfort - I start Monday and will keep you posted. fingers crossed xx