HER-2 Treatment

Hello

I had her2 and had treatment for 18 months. It consisted of 4 months of chemo, with the last 4 infusions containing,  herceptin and perjeta. Then I had surgery, then once I recovered from that I had radiotherapy.  During this time I continued with herceptin in my thigh as an injection every 3 weeks.  The herceptin is for a year. Its a long process but very effective.  I was diagnosed 3 years ago and living a good life. Let me know if you want to know anymore information. 

Take care 

Julie x

Hi Chatlieandlola great to read you are doing fine now. Can I ask you if you had any side effects with the HER2 and chemo treatment.  I have been confirmed as triple positive to ER and PR hormones as well as HER2 and will be starting similar treatment although I have had my lumpectomy and thankfully all clear margins and lymph nodes.

Hi, my treatment was similar to Charlieandlola's and I had no side effects at all from the Herceptin injections, I was back at work within 15 mins after each one. Hope this gives you some reassurance.  I had some side effects from chemo, as I think everyone does to some extent 

Hi Irishgirl16 thank you for your reply and great to hear no side effects with the Herceptin.  Well done!  I hope you are doing OK now.  What were the side effects you had with the chemo if you dont mind me asking ? I  am just trying to prepare and brace myself although I appreciate everyone reacts differently.

Hi, I was pretty lucky and managed to work through chemo though not everyone can.  I blogged throughout, there are lots of blog posts but this one is specially about what I wished I had known about chemo.  Best wishes

Chemo blog

Hi I am triple positive, I have just finished active treatment, I am now on anastrazole. Is there anything I can help with. xx

Hi  Shaz52 and nice of you to reply. I hope you are doing well now and huge well done for getting through the treatment. What was worse the chemo or Herceptin ?  And did you have Herceptin in the leg and was that painful?

Thank you. That’s so helpful to know. I’m just finishing 6 months of chemo and I was a bit shocked I may need another 18 months of treatment after surgery and radiotherapy. Sounds like it’s more manageable than the chemo I’ve been having. Appreciate you sharing. May come back to you when it starts at the end of the year. Sorry you’ve been through so much but good to hear you’re living a good life

Really helpful. Thank you! Was a bit of a shock and trying to get my head around longer treatment than I thought.

Hi Faith5410

 My story is on profile just click on name to read if you wish .

I had Masectomy in July 2019 

My Chemo started August 2019 EC X 6 ..followed by Herceptin x18 all on three weekly cycle ..with zoledronic infusions every  6month over  three year 

End now in sight with final infusion in December .

Remembering that we are all different in how we respond to treatments , I can say that for me Surgery was easier than I expected considering I didn’t have much time to adjust to diagnosis ( 8 days ) before op. 
Again I coped with chemo but fell foul of cumulative SE mainly because of being unable to go on Docetaxel and remained on EC .

Most people have plans that have a change of chemo drug after 3 therefore a different group of SE . Regardless although not pleasant I found it better than my  imagination horror stories ! 
If you are suffering with excess SE you can speak to unit and they will support and help you by prescribing drugs to help .

Herceptin was given to me by injection in thigh hardly any SE a bit achy and fatigued for couple of days  also some pain in injection site . I followed advice I was given and asked for phial so I could warm it up in my hands . It should take about 5mins to inject and can hurt as it goes in . Tell nurse if it is really hurting as they may be going to fast and can adjust .

My plan then included Bisphosphonate infusions again a fifteen minute infusion twice a year for three year total of 7 . This helps to strengthen bones to aid prevention of bone cancer .

Like I said at beginning the above is how I reacted and we’re all different so get differing  plans and SE 

When I was told three year plan it seemed forever but even with covid arriving just after chemo it hasn’t been as bad as I thought At least I had social life during lockdown visiting chemo unit eve three weeks for Herceptin  

best of luck going forward and if you have anymore questions just ask