Moving onto Herceptin by injection. Can I drive myself?

Hi Eiluj

Cant answer the question about how  you will feel because we are all different in how we react . Also dont drive  

I finished my 18 herceptin injections in January . Mine were independent to chemo starting three weeks after chemo finished . They did not require bloods every three weeks but tended to ask for them for onco appointments and before my bisphosphonates  infusions ( every six months ) .

The only thing I was told prior to first one was would have to wait to make sure no reaction ,which was rare with jab . 

Happy to report no reaction and only very minor SE bit headachy and tired . Carried on as normal nothing like chemo SE !

My tip would be ask for phial of herceptin to warm up in hands before jab ,less painful . Also don't be polite tell them if it hurting they can slow down .

good luck 

Hi EILUj

If you are just having Herceptin and no other treatment you will not need bloods and yes you can drive. I had my Herseptin at home and was administered by the district nurse it took about five minutes for the jab then she monitored me for about 10 mins while she done her paperwork 

carolyn

Good advice Northener. Thank you x

Thank you ral. Will be much easier if I can drive myself x

Hi Eiluj

Can only tell you about Herceptin as the newer treatment wasn’t available when I was diagnosed. I worked next door to the hospital and went up for my injection during work time , usually was about 10:30, went for the jab and back to work , no issues with it at all (except waiting in the chemo unit for my appointment which was sometimes over an hour of waiting) 

Not good that you have had to chase though...

Jo x

Hi Eiluj,

I had my first herceptin injection last week (previous 4 were intravenous with paclitaxel) and I was fine to drive myself (I asked the chemo nurses first - I also drove myself for last 6 paclitaxel) although I’m only 10 minutes away from hospital and of course everyone is different.

No blood tests just for herceptin but I still had to have a COVID test 3 days before.

Just felt a bit tired and achey for a couple of days afterwards but nothing like paclitaxel.

Good luck! xx

Thank you. 

It's interesting that you didn't need a blood test. I ended up enquiring about that and I'm going for bloods today. I'll have to double check that one! If I can avoid anymore needles I will. xx

I've just heard that I am just having Trastuzumab. Apparently they only give Pertuzamab until your surgery if there is lymph node involvement. I could end up back on the P after lymph nodes are test positive at surgery. Hopefully that won't be the case! x

Hi Eiluji I had asked my breast nurse that exact question and she said bloods were only required every third T&P which was reiterated by oncologist later.  worth checking as you say if we can reduce the amount of needles and procedures all the better!!

Fingers crossed for you for the surgery results x

Caroline

Thank you for that. I've got a telephone appointment with my oncologist next week. I'll ask about it then.

I had my injection 2 days ago. Wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be which is good. Took about 5 minutes to go in. Shame I had to wait 2 hours for the meds to arrive from the old unit!! X x