My mother was diagoned with 3+ stage breast cancer in Jul’16 and has gone through couple of round of Chemo, Radio and got her breast removed. During the initial level she was put on Chemo + Herceptin but due to wrong treatment she was not given any hormonal treatment. Hence sadly her cancer got metastatic and it got spread into her lever and bones.
So she had another round of Chemo from Mar 18 along with Perjeta. But Perjeta did not work on her and now the cancer has stated moving into her Lungs.
Now Doc has suggested to put her on Kadcyla. She had first cycle of Kadcyla on 6 Dec 18 but post having the same she has lot of issues - vomiting, body ache, loss in appetite, constipation etc. When consulted with doc he has stated these are known side effects of Kadcyla.
Could anyone suggest if these are actually fatel side effects or in due course body will get use to this drug.
i haven’t posted on this thread for a while and thought I’d give an update. I’ve been on Kadcyla for three years next month, and it has successfully been controlling my mets (peritoneum and ovaries, and resected liver). I was HER2+ from the start and I think we can assume the tumours still are. It’s very surprising to hear about ladies whose tumours have changed to such an extent that the treatment approach has had to change too - how very frustrating.
i still get all the side effects I mentioned below, and I too get a strange cramping feeling in my lower ribs, like Nicky mentioned. But the side effects haven’t been severe like your mum’s, Rohit, and I don’t think her response is common. Although the first couple of doses were the worst, I seem to remember.
As far as nausea goes, this has always been a problem, and I’ve tried every kind of anti-emetic. At the moment I have gone back to Ondansatron, but I take it about 20 mins before the Kadcyla and keep taking it for 48 hours solid. Before, I was taking it only once I started to feel sick. This seems to have made a big difference and it feels more under control, so watch this space. I have heard people say before that it’s important to get ‘ahead’ of nausea but somehow never made the connection…
i finally decided to take ill health retirement from my job, and oh boy, it’s wonderful! I’m definitely still in the honeymoon period as I only stopped just before Christmas, but I’m loving it so far, and it’s made treatment so much less stressful as I’m not worrying about taking time off work, and stressed with the travelling and time commitment around the clinic and chemo days.
My onc has just advised and we have decided to reduce my dose slightly as the neuropathy in my fingers is getting worse. I’m a bit anxious about the risks of reducing the dose, but at the same time I can’t afford to lose more fingertip sensitivity as I’m hoping to do a design degree next year that involves jewellery making, silversmithing, pottery and textiles (my big dream). It’s a difficult balance and the first time I’ve had to make a d3cision like this I.e. quality of life over potential risk of faster progression. I hope I’ve made the right call.