Can anyone help with a query please? Is Herceptin given instead of Chemo? Also my Dr has said that he will give me something other than Tamoxifen, but not sure what it is (fairly new I gather). Any ideas anyone. Still new to this cancer lark and just beginning to think of questions - although I'm going for op on next Monday!!!
Take care everyone.
FormerMember
Hi,
Just read your profile, sorry you are in this position, Just a little note to say good luck with the op next week, it really is not too bad... I promise! Re the chemo, it is different for everyone so you will hopefully be fine! Also it always sounds worse in writing! Sometimes I read my own ramblings about my chemo and think that's not good, but I look back a couple of days later and think...it wasn't that bad!Wishing you well . Jo x
If you're like me, everything to do with your treatment sounds like double dutch!
I think, as in my case, herceptin is given in addition to chemo to approx 20% of breast cancer patients. I initially thought Herceptin was a tablet although I now know it's given in the form of IV every 3 weeks for 1 year. You may wish to look it up on the Cancer Research website to get the full facts. My first cycle left me feeling very fatigued although my Onc said this is the build up of chemo/radio in my system rather than a side effect of Hercptin. I too have been prescribed the hormonal therapy Arimidex for 5 years instead of Tamoxifen.
I thought you would be interested to read this information on Herceptin so click on the link below - but I really think you need to talk to a Macmillan Nurse who will go through everything with you as you appear a bit confused and bewildered - otherwise ring up the nurses here - the number is on the front page of this site. I wish you well with everything and hope you find out more about everything because its horrible when you arent confident about things - I always say that knowledge is power. Best wishes, Jools x x
I think they don't like to overload you with information. Herceptin is only used if you are HER2 positive, so you will be told if it applies to you. Good luck with your op, I expect they will give you time to recover from that before going on to the next stage. One step at a time.
