My wife was diagnosed with a 2.5cm tumor her2+ er+ in November and began treatment with Perjeta, Herceptin, Taxotere, and Carboplatin in December. After one treatment the tumor was “gone” and her oncologist officially declared a clinically commplete response after two treatments. On the fourth treatment her oncologist stopped carbo due to neuropathy. She is refusing round 5 and 6 of chemo and her oncologist is on her side.
I came across this thread because i am concerned about the side effects of the Herceptin which she must continue for a year. I believe it is possible that a portion of her “neuropathy” in her legs is from the herceptin.
I want to know if things get better after chemo with herceptin or if its still bad. We have three young children and i cannot handle losing my wife because the treatment is too much. There is surprisingly little information on what to expect on herceptin after chemo.
Hi WilliamS
So sorry that you find yourself on here but I’m sure you will get lots of replies and support as it’s a great place ?
I can only speak from my own experience but Herceptin is nothing like having chemo. I finished chemo in September & rads in November and have had 9/15 herceptin. The neuropathy is only very very slight in my fingers & toes, get bit achy sometimes but none of it is major or affects my life. I do however suffer constant nausea but I think this is unusual with herceptin.
Once your wife has recovered from chemo I promise things do get better and having herceptin is a walk in the park compared to what she had gone through.
Sending lots of love to you and your family
Terri ? xx
Hello, I have just had Herceptin number 9. If you do get side effects they tend to be aches and pains in muscle and joints. They are uncomfortable but quite bearable with pain killers. They stopped my chemo early due to neuropathy and low blood counts but the neuropathy has cleared up now.
There is certainly no danger as in low blood counts and infection risks. You did not mention g-gsf injections but if your wife had those she might have had aches and pains in her muscles and joints and those can be relieved by taking Claritin hayfever tablets. I am taking those still because I think they might be helping my aches from the Herceptin.
Herceptin can be toxic to the heart and your wife will be having her heart checked regularly. Before Herceptin many women with HER2 positive did not have a good survival rate. Now they do. Also one of the reasons why they would have been prepared to stop the chemo is because your wife can have Herceptin. I was in the same situation and had I been triple negative my doctor would have wanted me to continue with chemo because they do not have many weapons to use against triple neg.