hi i have had a rough time with chemo (half me i think) but i am stopping now had 4 which is what i needed to be able to have herceptin.
i meet with onc Fri and wondered if anyone had tips suggestions or things i should no about so i am prepared when meet her,
i know nothing.
i am suffering anxious sickness don’t know if its hospital or treatment or just me. any help gratefully received as the thought of getting through a year of this is terrifying. xxxx Julie xxxxx
Hi Julie,
It is really nothing to worry about. The side effects from herceptin are minor compared with chemo. The main problem for me is trying to find a vein, as they are messed up from chemo. The nurses now stick needles down the side of my thumb which I hate.
You will need to have heart scans, as occasionally herceptin can cause heart damage. You will have one before you start, and then one every three months to keep a check on you. Also they will keep a close watch on you for the first herceptin as it can cause an allergic reaction. Again unusual, the nurse who did my first one said she hadn’t seen a bad reaction in months. If you don’t react on the first one, you should then be OK for all the rest.
After that it’s just a question of turning up every three weeks - which gets to be a real pain! I am due to have no 10 on Wednesday, and am fed up with it all. It’s a long haul when you have been through surgery, chemo & rads, but only because I want it all to end, not because there is anything difficult about it.
Hi Julie
I have had 3 now and no affects at all.Due to have second heart scan on 19th, but feel ok
Mary
x
hi all
had first herceptin today and i am hoping for few side effects if not any. has anyone gained weight on herceptin. i have gained over 2 stones since taking tamoxifen,trying so hard to lose it, but i feel constantly hungry.
any advice would be much appreciated
thanks
maria
hi all
thanks for the reples. hopefuly then it wont be as bad as chemo. i envy eberyone hats gone through it. i have had enough but know i must carry on.
Maria i hope we dont gain wait… i have to watch mine as 50 now and always gain lots if i have a little tasty. i too hve gained over two stone on cheo. i thought i was suppose to loos it with sickness etc. but i found eating helpedwith the sickness and the frst week i was like you always hungry and picked. it will take forever to get off. i also havent done much exercise since sept as had no energy with ops chemo etc. now i read people are gaining weight with herceptin gt i cant wait. now i read you have gained with tamoxifen and i have got to have this as well. weight watchers etc should befree for us. i think my wieght gain is half my lazy problems and i thought when its over i will exercise and diet. but i have to think different if i have a year of herceptin and 5 of tamoxifen ti cope with.
have a good day all
still dark wet and gloomy here in bedfordshire
julie x
Hi Julie,
As far as exercise goes, I think you need to set yourself a target and then go for it. You will find that if you start exercising it will get easier. It doesn’t have to be anything hard - going for a regular walk is a great way to start. But you have to decide in advance what you want to achieve and then stick to it. Otherwise it is all to easy to put it off because you’re tired or busy.