Hi, I am ER negative, HER2 positive and have just finished 6 sessions of FEC-T with 3 of Herceptin and Pertuzamab. My consultant said I could keep my PICC line in my arm for the year’s worth of Herceptin. Has anyone else done this, or have you swapped to injections in the leg? I’ve had joint pain and diarrhoea so far and wonder if these will continue until next year? Thanks.
Hi - well done for getting through the chemo!
I finished all 18 treatments of Herceptin in June this year. I began, like you, with 4 lots IV with the chemo then went over to injections in the thigh. Personally, I would choose this method everytime. The injections are quick (over 2/3 minutes) and although they sting a little bit (sometimes) and I always found it was once the needle came out and the plaster went on - but overall much better than IV.
Have you had surgery yet?
Good luck with further treatments - it seems an eternity away at this stage but honestly it goes so quick!
x
Thank you so much for your reply Jay68.
I’ve yet to meet my surgeon which should be on the 26th Oct. They say I’ll need a mastectomy and I’m hoping for reconstruction at the same time. Just reading all the previous comments about trouble with walking and plantar I initially thought I’d keep my line, but I’m going to have my 4th Herceptin as an injection on the 17th, so I might then get the live removed xx
Definitely go with injections in your leg nini. And always ask the nurse can you hold the syringe to warm it up before she injects it. I get a small sting but nothing much. I have just had number 14! I also get joint pain and an upset tummy but the upset tummy has lessened now. You really dont need to keep the Picc line in. Good luck xx
Thanks Ali, that’s very encouraging! Have you been prescribed anything other than Loperamide for your upset tummy? For me it’s lasting for 2 weeks after each one, so is a bit much at the moment. Good luck with your last ones xxx
No nini never took anything for upset tummy. It came after i had eaten so only went to places where i knew there was decent toilets x
Hi Ali - interested to hear that you had diarrhoea with Herceptin on its own - I have had 2 injections after 4 with chemo - as with you I blamed the Docetaxol then but have had it after the injections as well. Been trying to decide whether it was Herceptin/Letrozole/rads but have come to conclusion it’s probably the Herceptin- Not as bad as when on chemo but at least I will know to expect it in future ?.
Ninicgadic as Ali said get the nurse to warm it with hands before injection and it’s fine - much better as injection than a PICC line- good luck for your future treatments x
Hi Ali, sorry I haven’t yet had Herceptin on its own (will be on the 17th). Hopefully it won’t be as bad as the first 3 which I had alongside the Docetaxol. Thanks for your advice and good luck with yours xx
Hi Bibi, about a week after letrozole injection, i found that a few miniutes after i ate i needed the toilet urgently. It has lessened now and i have had 14 with 4 to go. Hope yours improves x
Hi ninicgadic
Have you finished your treatments? I have not started mine and wanted to know what you did with pic line. I’m thinking of not having it just having iv each time. Please can you tell me how you coped with it in. Also did you do injections?
Preet