Breast Cancer Now Forum

Well it looks like I've got to have a ct scan before they will do my reconstruction. I haven't had a scan for 18 months as onc likes to monitor me through my various blood tests and examinations. So next Thursday its the scan and then ten days later appointment with my onc then five days later appointment with the plastic surgeon. So hoping my liver is behaving and the rest of the body. Onc says he has no concerns but plastic surgeon wants to know if the liver is healthy enough for me to with stand an operation. So its been some time since I've had scan panic and part of me wishes I hadn't started all this and I wouldn't be feeling in a panic now. So heres hoping the Pertuzumab and Herceptin are still doing their job. On a positive note my mamagram came back clear. Have a good easter everyone. ... View more

I've been on it 2 years in May dennymac and so far so good. I'm with you I've got 2 boys to finish bringing up,16 and 11 years,so I don't plan on going any where yet xx ... View more

Hi Ladies. Good to see everyone doing ok at the moment. I went for 3 monthly review yesterday with the nurse practitioner before my treatment. All bloods (in her words) were very good. Heart beat was very good and she always gives me an examination which went well.One of my many questions that I ask was will i come of the Pertuzumab in the near future.She said that they would only want to take me of it if I wasn't coping with the side effects or it was damaging my body in some way.The reason for this is because the data that is coming out about this combo is so good that as long as it is still working they don,t want to upset the way in which the two drugs work together. So I took all that as fantastic news as at the moment the only side effect I have is the itching which I think will continue to carm down. By the way my nurse practitioner mights as well be a doctor because she has so much knowledge and the fact that she offered the information about the data is good because she has never given out false hope and has also been truthful in a nice way.So ladies here's to us being with the long term survivors 10,15,20 etc years down the line. Enjoy the day ladies X ... View more

Hi everyone. Got a busy week ahead.Treatment on Tuesday yearly mamogram on Wednesday (although I no longer see the point in mamograms) and appointment with reconstruction surgeon on Friday.Still using the hydromol cream. Still itching but if I put the cream on just before I go to bed it seems to stop the itching at night which gives me a good nights sleep.Also it works almost instantly when I feel the itching coming and I put it on. I've also caught a cold which is making me feel a little crappy but its my first cold since I finished chemo 17 months ago so I suppose I've done well. I bought some vitamin C tablets hoping it would help with colds etc. Does anyone else take vit C? I also take evening primrose and vit D3 for bones. Hope your well and getting on top of the Pertuzumab itch.Enjoy whats left of the weekend X ... View more

Thanks geordiex. I think I am getting impatient in my old age.xx ... View more

Hi Ladies. I'm told by my onc that the Pertuzumab can give you diarrhoea or constipation. I usually go just after breakfast and it is usually very loose and when I have to go I have to go. However in the early days when I started taking Pertuzumab I would go to the toilet 2 or 3 times a day which just isn't like me. But things have carmed down now.As for the sickness I can feel a little sick after I've been to the toilet but then I have something to eat and I feel ok (weird I know). I used the itching cream last night and so far it hasn't really worked but I am going to keep trying.Have a good weekend ladies x ... View more

Hi ladies. Bought my Hydromol cream today, just starting to itch so time to give it a go. Nicky I use No.7 eye lash serum which help to thicken the lashes. My eye brows still haven't grown back fully(although always had thin eye brows) but the lash serum helped to stop me losing them fully.Have a good evening ladies and thanks again to geordiex x ... View more

Thanks geordiex.I think I'll pop and ask at the chemist tommorrow instead of waiting days for a doc appointment. I'll give it a go. Did it solve your itching completly? Good to hear from you hope your doing well xx ... View more

Hi ladies. I wonder if you could help me. I've been on just H and P for the past 17 months and although I haven't had a scan for the  past 12 months(my onc doesn't believe in relying just on scans) I am still classed as NED. I feel well with very few side effects from treatment.However one side effect that can sometimes drive me mad is the itching/stinging on the tops of my arms and lower back. The onc believes its the Pertuzumab that causes the itching but presently has no solution. I've tried creams, antihistamines,drinking even more water to no effect.Although I know I am very lucky to have responded so well to this combo it would be so nice to be able to carm the itching down in the evening and at night. Is there anyone else that has this side effect or has any ideas that would help carm it down. Thanks ladies xx ... View more

Seems like this combo is kicking ass. Stable and shrinkage is great to hear.x ... View more

That's great news Fergal-Jay its great to hear how well this combo works. I've been on just Hand P for nearly 17 months now. I feel well and life goes on and I am sure your mum will will start to feel the same with time. LemonDrizzle there have been some amazing results with this combo even better results than when Herceptin first came out. My onc thinks if you respond to this combo then it is a combo that can last a long time. Keep well ladies. ... View more

Hi Nicky I did do 6 treatments with the chemo but I do know many that have had 8 or more treatments with the chemo (with good results). I was lucky as my scan showed only scaring in my liver at the end of the 6 PH and docetaxel and my last scan in March last year continued to show NED. My onc only wants to scan me once a year now as he feels I have responded well to treatment. I am monitored carefully through blood tests, how I feel and examinations every three treatments.I have been just on P and H plus tamoxifen for the past 15 months. The watery eyes problem took about 6 months to carm down after chemo however I do now need glasses to help me read now but that could just be my age (44).My worst side effect comes from the Pertuzumab which is horrible stinging itching however its improving as time goes on. Overall this has been a good treatment for me and I hope it will continue to be for a long time although the onc has suggested that in time we should talk about taking the Pertuzumab away. I generally feel well (hair grew back in better condition and skin is healthy looking now plus everyone around me seems to catch all sorts of bugs where as I haven't caught anything since finishing chemo which is incredible as I work in a school )and to be honest the only draw back at the moment is going for my infusion every 3 weeks.I hope this helps a little but if you have any questions pleased let me know. Ange x ... View more