Kadcyla treatment - any side effects?

Hi Clara69, I'm one of the champions here in this group and I just noticed that your post hasn't had any replies yet, probably as the site is quite busy.  I don't have the experience to answer your query myself,  but my response will bump your post back up to the top and hopefully someone will be along soon to share their experience. Best wishes 

Hi Clara, 

I am having kadcyla…I would like to reassure you that ( for me) it is much, much less impactful than normal chemo. I think of it as “ chemo light”. I have it every three weeks and the impact for me is the day after I am weak and tired and either stay in bed or potter. I do find I am quite emotional that day as well. The next few days I am low energy and don’t do much. After that I am just “normal low energy”… I don’t know whether that is the kadcyla or the cumulative of all the treatment over the past 10 months. Other main side effects are some diarrhoea ( which I control with Imodium). 
When I was told I needed kadycla, and especially when I realised it was a chemo drug, I found it emotionally difficult because I had thought I was done with chemo. And I really struggled to find much information on it ( hence my long answer to you)… however I am coping with it ok. Which is a relief as it is a long course of treatment! 
Good luck with it, I really hope that this part of your treatment is gentle on you. Xx

Hi Clara69,  I finished Kadcyla 2 years ago, 14 rounds and no side effects at all.  Nothing like previous chemo.  Had my final zoledronic acid infusion yesterday and rang the bell to say that’s me done.  Wishing you all the best with your treatment. X

Hi Penny, 

Thanks so much for your reply, this is really helpful. I had my first session earlier this week and since then have been feeling quite tired, not been sleeping so well and have had low mood. This could all be caused by something else, or just a case of getting used to yet more months of treatment and perhaps no surprise I'm feeling fed up!!

My first session was 90 minutes, and the next treatments are 30 minutes so hopefully a lower dose and I will get used to it. 

You are right, it is nothing like AC (which was really tough) and Taxol/Phesgo for me, and I have three weeks in-between to recover. 

So glad to hear you are coping so well with your treatment. It seems to go on forever, but I'm sure on I am on the homeward stretch now! 

Take care and good luck, 
C xx

Hi Mimosa, 
That's brilliant news! Well done for getting there and ringing that bell. So glad Kadcyla was easy on you. 
Take care,
C xx