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Re: Herceptin, Aredia and Faslodex--Side Effects?

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Posted by Shelly Blechman on 5/29/2003 from 216.117.218.35:

In reply to: Herceptin, Aredia and Faslodex--Side Effects? posted by Karie on 5/18/2003 from 68.128.213.66:

I am sorry to hear that your mother is experiencing such difficult side effects from her treatment.

In terms of specific reactions, fatigue is very common during chemotherapy. Hot flashes are associated with hormonal treatments, which is what Faslodex is, or with the cessation of taking HRT (Hormone therapy treatment such as taking estrogen/progesterone), which are discontinued after a breast cancer diagnosis. You can read about side effects on the following site http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/faslodex.htm

Common side effects of taking Herceptin can be fever and/or chills. You can read more about it on this website: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_45.htm

With Aredia, the most frequent adverse events were fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, and skeletal or abdominal pain.

So what your mother is experiencing is within what is to be expected. It is the combination of all of these treatments that compound her side effects. And feeling depressed can come from her situation as well as from suffering all these side effects.

It is most important that your mother communicates all of her symptoms to her doctors. She also might want to ask them what is the percentage benefit she gains from taking each particular treatment. She may feel that her quality of life is more important than whatever percentage benefit she might or might not gain. But again that is for her to determine after discussions with her doctor.

Please let us know if there is anyway that we can help. I would be glad to speak with you or your mother directly. Please call me toll free at 866-2 WIN ABC (294-6222). We would be glad to send both of you information to help deal with the emotions and feelings of this situation.

Shelly Blechman
Program Director

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