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Posted 3/17/2006 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well.

I just had my last 6 month appt last week and my CT scan and bloodwork were just fine. I had a breast MRI in December as well and that was clear.

My question is about Herceptin. My oncologist said it has recently been approved for early stage disease. He said that it is my choice if I want to go on it. He didn't give me any information really except that it can cause heart problems. He also said since I am 2.5 years out, he isn't sure of the benefits.

Does anyone know?

Also, I have a good friend who was told by her dr. that she could go off her tamoxifen for a year and try to get pregnant. If she doesn't get pregnant, then she can go back on it. My dr. said that is not true.

I am looking for some advice on both areas!

Samantha

Posted 3/17/2006 7:55 PM (GMT 0)

Congrats on all of your tests coming back clear!!!! I can't give you any info in regards to the tamoxifen as I was not able to take that drug. But I can give you some info on the Herceptin.

I was rediagnosed in 2004 and was on Herceptin and Navelbine weekly for 26 months. Once I got an "all clear" in January, I am continuing the Herceptin once a month as a preventative. I was in the original clincial trial for Herceptin when I was first diagnosed. Unfortunately, I didn't receive it. It was closed for a short period of time because there were some women that had heart problems. They now moniter that problem usually by doing an echo. I have had no ill side effects from it. You don't lose your hair. My heart is fine. I believe that if there is any drug that can help prevent a recurrance, then use it. Herceptin has been proven to be one of those drugs.

Hugs...Deb

Posted 3/17/2006 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I can't imagine any doctor telling any woman taking tamoxifen to try to get pregnant. Obviously she was ER/PR + or she wouldn't be taking it. An ER/PR+ woman getting pregnant is a HUGE risk. I'd definitely tell your friend to get a 2nd opinion.

Good luck to you.
Julie
Posted 3/17/2006 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
My doctors have said that after 5 years, they would probably allow a person like me to try and get PG. After 5 years, the risk of recurrance is much lower and they have all said that the "jury is still out" on whether there is a risk to the woman, in terms of the hormonal body changes. I would advise your friend to get several professional opinions and then make the best choice for her.

I have never heard of a doctor allowing someone to go off of Tamoxifen for a year, that makes no sense to me. If the doctor is willing to let her go off of it, it is not likely giving her much benefit today.

Lori
Posted 3/17/2006 8:48 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone for the information.

My friend has already been off the Tamoxifen since October and is trying to get pregnant. I hope her dr. knows what he is doing.

I think the herceptin thing really scared me because my dr. couldn't give me any real answer on the benefit. I think it was a bit unfair of him to tell me to think about it and then not give me any information on it. I have visited a number of websites on it in the last 2 weeks. I think I need a break. He told me to do my homework and talk to him about it again in September when I have my next CT Scan.

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