Herceptin reaction

Hi

I'm sorry to hear about the bad reaction you had last week. It must have been very scary.

I haven't had this treatment so don't have any experiences to share with you but I noticed that your post hadn't had any responses. By replying to you it will bump it back to the top of the first page where it'll have more chance of being seen.

You might also want to consider posting it in the group's chemotherapy chat thread and clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.

When you have a minute it would be really useful if could update your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. 

All the best with your next infusion.

x

Hi .. my reaction was to perjeta rather than Herceptin but just to give you an idea of what my oncologist tried. 

1st dose .. the loading dose .. no problems!

2nd dose .. developed a rash at the end of the infusion and my Sats dropped .. they stopped the infusion, gave me antihistamines and corticosteroids ( and some oxygen ) settled down quickly and finished the others with no problem. 

3rd dose .. had antihistamine beforehand but still developed a rash near the end of the infusion .. so they stopped it gave me me antihistamines and corticosteroids and all settled . As it was not the first time the decided to not continue with Herceptin  and Docetaxel until I had seen oncologist . 

After meeting with oncologist he decided to give antihistamines and corticosteroids beforehand and also increase the time of the infusion to 3 hours.. 

it worked :-) .. no reaction at all. He also mentioned if that didn’t work possibly looking at changing the order I was given them all. 

I hope you can find a way to continue , you are probably worrying like I was that they would have to stop. 

Good luck

x x

Thanks a lot for replying Janey, good to know what to watch out for next and that I am not the only one with reactions to targeted therapies!

I went back in yesterday and had the Herceptin again, this time with antihistamines and hydrocortisone beforehand and it all went well, such a relief! As you said, I know how important these treatments so was really concerned I might not be able to continue. I had the taxol finally too and that went ok as well.

Looks like I am back on track now though so fingers crossed it continues that way, now I am just waiting to see what SE I might get :-)

take care

Wittie

I also had reaction to herceptin which was started in December. Three weekly infusions. Slower through infusion and seemed ok. However I was gradually becoming more and more breathless. Chest X-ray showed ok. However LVEF showed function had dropped from 59 to 50. Herceptin stopped. Had heart echo while on one week of radiotherapy. Then last week another Heart scan (fraction injection). It has now dropped to 45!  Herceptin stopped until after 17th June when I see my consultant. To have another scan before that. 
I have read about Persephone trial showing 6 myths as good as 1 year on herceptin.  I don’t think I can carry on treatment  this level of breathlessness. Anyone have similar experience?