Herceptin and Heart Failure

HERCEPTIN
I didnt have any problems when I was taking Herc on a weekly basis while on Chemo. After chemo they did a muga scan and it came back fine. Then I started Herc every three weeks (I have only had one this way). As I understand it, they give three weeks worth in one treatment and allow it go in faster). Since that treatment I have had more Heart Palpatations, which I was on meds for before my diagnosis. They have scheduled another Muga to see if my EF is down. Personally I think I need go to a electrophysiologist who specializes in Heart Arrythmias. They said, if my Muga comes back normal, they will refer me to a cardiologist.
I am already researching that. A cardiologist who specializes is electrophysiology (Hear Arrythmia). Hope things go well for you.

God Bless

Kgy said:

Thanks
Thankyou so much for the hugs and Prayers I will use them wisly.

You too take care!

Kim

Herception ... Herception ... to my Her2 positive sisters
No other chemotherapy drug will do your heart in faster than Herception. I've had hercp chemo - once every 3 weeks since early January 2010 - I have 3 or perhaps 4 more treatments than .. I am home free...

I have also experience heart fluttering, dizziness and fatigue during this time .. there are side affects to every chemo drug .. regardless of what your oncolgist tells you. I was pulled off of hercp therapy for 1 month due to extreme fatigue.

Please make sure your doctor is giving you ... Echo cardiograms // during your 6 month herception chemo. Not ekg's ...


Best of Luck ...

VickiSam

My heart scans dropped to 42
My heart scans dropped to 42 and they stopped them and did another heart scan and it wasn't any better, so they stopped them. I never went back on. Heart disease runs in my family though, so I think they took that into consideration.

Good Luck!
Pam

jnl said:

Sending you good luck Kim.
Sending you good luck Kim. I wasn't on Herceptin, so, I don't know much about it.

Hugs, Leeza

Herceptin
I have been and still on Herceptin. My heart is monitored by an echocardiogram every three months and a few times I have had to take a small break from Herceptin to get my EF(ejection fraction) back up. I had an echo done 2 months ago and my EF went from 62% down to 46% and they had 3 cardiologist read it and a decision was made for me to take a month off from my treatment and then do another echo--well EF went from 46% up to 59% so I was able to start Herceptin again. I will have another echo in August. Right now my Herceptin treatment is scheduled to stop the middle of October it was suppose to be end of July but with the breaks from it--it has just moved me a little further down the road. That is ok just as long as I am able to complete it.

My oncologist told me that as long as someone has received 12 Herceptin treatments then that is good. After everything is said and done I will have had 30 treatments--over a period of 18 months.

Margo