Terrified Of Chemo Side Effects

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rmh46
rmh46 Member Posts: 7
in Breast Cancer #1

My oncologist wants me to have Herceptin infusion every 3 weeks for a year. He said it is almost "side effect free". Well of course I did some research and found that it has a multitude of side effects, the worst being heart damage. He also wants to add Pergeta which has its own set of side effects. Three years ago I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. I received a radical hysterectomy with a follow up of pills. I can't remember the first pill he put me on but after 5 days of no sleep I called him in tears. He said I was in the less than 1% that can't use it so I took Provera for a year which had side effects of a lesser degree. I'm scared to death that the same thing will happen with chemo. I don't want to trade cancer for a heart attack. I guess I'm looking for someone who might have had the same dilemma and wondering how do you make that decision. I AM doing a 7 week round of radiation but not sure about the other.

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  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
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    I did Herceptin

    I did a year and a half of Herceptin. It was easy and is a life saver. The mian thing I remember was flaky fingernails and a bit of dry skin. I did get some damage with a heart valve, but it gave me no symptoms at all and it healed itself after I stopped the drug. Herceptin is really a target therapy, not true chemo. I think you should go ahead. They give you heart scans to monitor any damage. I think you would kick yourself for not trying if you were to get a recurrence down the road......Good luck, Anna

  • rmh46
    rmh46 Member Posts: 7
    #3
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    Terrified Of Chemo

    Thank you Anna for your response. It was just what I needed to hear! I will give it a try and hope for the best Smile

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
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    No advice (never had chemo)

    No advice (never had chemo) but, sending you hugs and wishing you the best..

     

    Denise

  • rmh46
    rmh46 Member Posts: 7
    #5
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    chemo

    Thank you Denice. That helps as well Smile

  • 1surfermom
    1surfermom Member Posts: 396 Member
    #6
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    rmh46 said:

    chemo

    Thank you Denice. That helps as well Smile

    Herceptin

    I did Herceptin for a year and did not have any side effects. I had my infusions after being on AC and taxol, so compared to those chemos Herceptin was a breeze. I do also remember that my hair grew back while on  Herceptin. Being Her2 positive, I like Button feel it was a life saver. I know it is a hard decision and you should weigh all of your options and choose what you feel is right for you. Love Surf

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
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    1surfermom said:

    Herceptin

    I did Herceptin for a year and did not have any side effects. I had my infusions after being on AC and taxol, so compared to those chemos Herceptin was a breeze. I do also remember that my hair grew back while on  Herceptin. Being Her2 positive, I like Button feel it was a life saver. I know it is a hard decision and you should weigh all of your options and choose what you feel is right for you. Love Surf

    Hi please talk to your oncologist

    I did not have Herceptin,however I was told that heart funcition has to monitored by tests befoRe and during treatment. Many sisters here undergone this treatment and I hope they will response to your post.

    Good luck 

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #8
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    New Flower said:

    Hi please talk to your oncologist

    I did not have Herceptin,however I was told that heart funcition has to monitored by tests befoRe and during treatment. Many sisters here undergone this treatment and I hope they will response to your post.

    Good luck 

    I did her eptin for a year and a half.
    I had the heart checkups every 3 months. No issues. They are very careful with the followups, or they were with all here whom I know who have been on herceptin. Nothing us without risks, but the benifits outweigh the risks. The newest reads have been 5 years. It is given to block another path for the cancer to grow, same as Tamoxifen et But, I had no noticeable side effects.

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