I want to quit Herceptin!!! help anyone!

christald21
christald21 Member Posts: 55
in Breast Cancer #1

Just came from the cardiologist.  My muga scan came out in normal range.  Yet he still wants me to do a stress test, and he put me on some little pill everyday.  2.5 milligrams.  not sure what it is.  Now he wants me to do a stress test!   I AM SO PISSED.  I HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT ALL MY LIFE, NEVER HAD HIGH CHOLESTEROL COUNTS.  I WORK OUT 3- 5 TIMES A WEEK, AND I AM AN FITNESS INSTRUCTOR. 

HE WANT TO DO IT TO SEE IF ANY BLOCKAGES.  I SAY HE WANTS TO DO IT FOR THE MONEY!  I AM SO FED UP.  I HAVE GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING FROM CHEMO, TO SURGERY, TO NOW RADIATION!!!!   NOW THIS!  

DOCTOR SAYS BECAUSE OF THE HERCEPTIN...  I WANT TO QUIT HERCEPTIN TREATMENTS. I HAVE HAD 10 TREATMENTS OF THAT STUFF.  IF IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO DIE, OR I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS.  IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.  I WANT TO QUIT, EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE RADIATION.  

HELP ANYONE, THAT HAS HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE HEART THING AND HERCEPTIN!

Comments

  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #2
    Herceptin

    If you are taking Herceptin that means you must be Her2 positive. Herceptin is the very best treatment for Her2. I took it for a year and had Muga scans every 3 months. Never had any problems with my heart and I finished my Herceptin in Dec of 2010. I would ask your Cardiologist why he wants the Stress Test if the Muga was in the normal range. The only time I had to have a Stress Test was before I had surgery. If you are not happy with his request, you can always get a second opinion.

     

    Donna

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #3
    BlownAway60 said:

    Herceptin

    If you are taking Herceptin that means you must be Her2 positive. Herceptin is the very best treatment for Her2. I took it for a year and had Muga scans every 3 months. Never had any problems with my heart and I finished my Herceptin in Dec of 2010. I would ask your Cardiologist why he wants the Stress Test if the Muga was in the normal range. The only time I had to have a Stress Test was before I had surgery. If you are not happy with his request, you can always get a second opinion.

     

    Donna

    Talk over with doctor

    You "sound" very frustrated.  Please do not refuse any treatment (especially Herceptin) without understanding WHY it is being given.  You are indeed in the driver's seat here and you have the option to quit anything you want, but make an informed decision.  HER-2 positive breast cancer is aggressive.  Get a second opinion if you want because it never hurts.  Just don't stop because you are afraid of the side effects to your heart.  It won't matter if it stops beating because your breast cancer became Stage IV.  The treatments we endure are usually for a good reason, not to make the physician money. Just know your options and risks before you decide anything.  i.e., talk to your doctor.

    Suzanne

  • christald21
    christald21 Member Posts: 55
    #4
    Stress test

    After much thought.  I have decided to get a second opinion.  Especially the stress test.  He said he wanted to see if any blockages.   Yet my range is normal.  So I need to look further into this before putting my body through more test.  

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #5
    christald21 said:

    Stress test

    After much thought.  I have decided to get a second opinion.  Especially the stress test.  He said he wanted to see if any blockages.   Yet my range is normal.  So I need to look further into this before putting my body through more test.  

    I wouldn't quit myself

    I can speak as someone who did have heart problems with Herceptin and is an avid athlete. I never even thought of quitting. It raised my chances of surviving my form of cancer from 5% to 60%. Why not do the testing the doctor is asking for? He might have a feeling something is wrong. Of course, getting a second opinion is always a good idea. If you have a problem, there are many drugs that can help while you are on Herceptin. Also you should ask if any problems would be permanent. In my case, they weren't. I feel that those of us who exercise during cancer treatment should be MORE careful about heart difficulties due to us raising our heart rate on a daily basis. I am training for a 17K mountain race with 1,000M elevation right now so I am very active. Maybe your frustration comes also from getting cancer in the first place? It was very annoying for me to have gotten diagnosed as I am 125 lbs, very active and have an organic (almost vegetarian) diet. I held a lot of anger for a long time as I watched obese people smoking and eating. But I did all my treatments and I am proud and feel very satisfied that I will have no "what-ifs" if I ever do get a recurrence. I think we should do all we can to fight this monster...Thinking of you, Anna

  • laralee
    laralee Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2018 #6
    I took four cycles of TCHP

    I took four cycles of TCHP (Herceptin).  Then I had surgery.  My breast tissue from the mastectomy and five lymph nodes was all negative.  Now they want me to continue with the Herceptin.  I did have one heart test in the beginning.  It took over two hours instead of the usual 20 minutes.  I am worried about my heart because I have never been able to do a stress test (they pull me off the treadmill).  I have a MVP and a bundle branch block.  I also sleep on my back in summer because I get cool.  I sleep on my side in winter to stay warm.  I have never been able to run without nearly fainting.  I am now 63 yrs old and whatever is wrong with my heart has not killed me yet.  I do not want the Herceptin to give me heart trouble if I do not really need the Herceptin.

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