Paclitaxel and Herceptin

Hi, I had a different type of chemo, but I did have 3 ekelt herceptin, initially by IV and then by injection. I had no side effects at all from the herceptin, which was really encouraging.  Best wishes 

Thank you 

Hi Molly Olive

I had a lumpectomy last December followed by Paclitaxel, Herceptin and 5 sessions of radiotherapy.

Overall, Paclitaxel wasn't as bad as I expected. I didn't have vomiting or feel nauseous although I had a metallic taste whenever I ate. My bowels were okay throughout the treatment. I had a red face and neck for a couple of days after the Paclitaxel for the first cycle, that was because of the steroid prior to having the infusion. My skin became quite dry especially on my face and I had brown marks mostly above my lips, this cleared up once treatment finished. Some of my toe nails and finger nails became purple and  lifted, they are fine now and I had minor peripheral  neuropathy in fingers and toes which  I still have. My eyelashes and eyebrows fell out once treatment had finished, but they grew back quickly.

I was tired when having chemo and I still tire easily,  the oncologist said that is quite often a result of having radiotherapy.

I kept a diary of my symptoms throughout but to be honest once it was all over I forgot much of it. I didn't find it debilitating but appreciate that people react differently to treatment.

I cold capped throughout , my hair did become much thinner and I lost quite a bit from my crown . I kept delaying getting a wig and in the end, I just wore headbands to hide the loss. My hair started regrowing whilst I was having chemo and the bare patches filled in fully about 3 months after chemo finished.  I had  chemo through a picc line rather than a cannula, although initially I was adamant I wasn't having a picc line it made it much easier for having bloods taken and having chemo.

Wishing you all the best with your treatment

D.D

Thank you so much for replying,  I  appreciate it x