Heart problems and herceptin

Hello  

I remembered reading a post about Herceptin and heart issues so this might be useful to you.  

I never had chemotherapy, so unfortunately I haven't a clue - really sorry if this post is not suitable and if I can't help. but toxophilite started the thread, so I have tagged her in, as she will clearly know a lot more.  I obviously can't say if hers were similar to your issues.

Apologies if I have completely misunderstood with regards to the heart issues and herceptin and if I have, then I hope someone who actually knows what they are talking about will be able to help you.

Kindest wishes,

Thankyou for taking a minute to reply, I appreciate it. Know what I want to do, but don’t know if I dare, or should do it. Nursed my mum through cancer and lost her at 60. My sister also died at 60 through cancer. Part of me feels I am on borrowed time anyway

Hi Trajans

I like you are getting herceptin injections and Im due my last one on April 20th.

I feel now like my body has had enough and I just want this to finish. I got Muga scans and they said everything was ok,but I get anxious and scared that something is going to happen to my heart.

Ive also got high blood pressure which I didnt have before and now Im taking a tablet everyday for that.

The herceptin injections I have coped with but feel shattered now,Im hoping once they stop I will feel a little more like me again.

I was diagnosed in October 2016 and feel like its never ending sometimes, I try and keep upbeat but sometimes its hard.

Have a nice day,Lesley

Hi

I stopped my Herceptin after 12, with lvef of 40%. Oncology overestimated it by 10%, bit I was quite severely symptomatic and refused any more without a cardio consult.

Now, my HER2 was low amplification, so it was debatable whether the Herceptin was of any benefit anyway.

They have run some trials on having 9 instead of 18. Some areas only give 17.

Do worth having the discussion with your oncologist. My feeling would be 16 is enough, but I am no expert.

Hugs  xx

Thankyou

Today I see the head oncologist about where we go from here. Know what I’m going to do. No more herceptin just not risking my heart any further. 16 is enough. Over twenty months of feeling exhausted and sick and now they tell me my heart is f#####. I have definitely had enough. I just hope I now don’t have to start a new course of treatment for a damaged heart.

Saw oncologist this morning and he has said I have had enough herceptin. Have to have another muga scan in 12 weeks time but he is sure my heart will improve itself now treatment had stopped. That’s it for me, bye bye cancer you are GONE!!

That is good news !!

Have they given you some Ramipril (ACE inhibitor), to help the heart along? If not, do ask. It will speed things up a bit for you.

Hugs xx

Congratulations Trajans for getting to the end of the road. It must be a relief! Have a look at the article on life after treatment by Dr Peter Harvey. There's  link to it under my signature block.

As far as Herceptin goes, I just thought my experience might reassure you. My LVEF dropped 10 percentage points during Herceptin but it was back to normal within 6 months (it might have been less - I can't quite remember). Also, as a matter of interest, I had 17 doses of H - that's the normal here in Australia.

Wishing you all the best.

Thanks Lyn, not to have any more herceptin was a huge relief. Booked for Australia in September to visit my daughter an family. Can’t wait a treat for finishing my treatment