Hi everyone. I posted a comment about this about a month ago but as I have to go back to the hospital tomorrow and I’m rather apprehensive I thought I’d ask again. Has anyone had an infusion reaction to Herceptin. I did Herceptin three years ago and everything was fine. This time, I was all ready to start again but on the first day treatment had to be suspended after a few seconds as I developed a rash on my neck, felt like vomiting and more worryingly a funny feeling in the chest area, like a weight. I was told that Herceptin has very few side effects. Anyone else had the same reaction and if so did they continue with Herceptin or was it suspended completely?
Thanks
Hi Elisa
Yes I did have a few reactions to herceptin. the first reaction was around dose 9 and I started feeling faint, fast heart beat, rash on neck and the nurses stopped the infusion for a while, monitored me and then re-started it slowly and I was ok. I had a second reaction on the last treatment which was similar but worse and to counteract it, they injected me with steroids, paracetamol, piriton or something like that an antihistamine - can’t really remember and at that point they said enough was enough. If I ever had to have it again (and I don’t plan to), I’d have to receive precautionary treatment first. Yes it was scarey but the nurses had it all under control pretty quickly. Maybe suggest some precautionary treatment first? Hopefully things will go smoothly for you though
xx
Thanks Ruby. Today I was supposed to have Herceptin but it has been suspended again, didn’t even start actually, as I’ve had a virus so didn’t feel too good. I’ve got to go back next week but the doctor made some mention of another therapy but wouldn’t elaborate, ‘we’ll discuss next week!!’ So I’m in limbo until next week. When I had the reaction to Herceptin a month ago I had already had all the pre-medications - cortisone, anti-histamine, yet I still had a reaction. This might mean I can’t ever have Hereceptin again. Who knows? Thanks again.