Perjeta & Herceptin Sub Q (shot) feedback requested

@clynnford, I'm tagging fellow members like @zeerj @agneslim @hockeymom25 @kiki92 @katgob @lisakinpa @maryanne7 @sequoiatree @mssoda101 on this discussion. I believe they all have experience with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Perjeta (pertuzumab) given subcutaneously (under the skin) and can share their tips and experiences.

Lynn, when do you start treatment?

I used infusion in 2015; it was the only choice I was given. It was painless. I had these for a year; I don't remember the frequency. After chemo, these infusions were a breeze.

Thank you!

Not sure when I'll start, maybe Dec 1? After surgery that'll be Nov 7.

Clynn

Thank you so much! Makes me feel much better...is it like a 5 minute thing or a single shot?

I am doing the infusions, which take 30 minutes. I have not had any issues. My sister had some leg swelling from the infusions, so she switched to the injection, which takes only a few minutes. She has had no issues. Hope that helps!

Also, the injection is maybe painful for the one second when they insert the needle, but just like a poke. If they are willing to give you the Perjeta, and insurance will cover it, it is probably the better option.

It's neither a 5-minute thing nor a single shot. You sit in the infusion chair and you get the medicine through an IV drip. I don't remember the timing exactly, maybe an hour, because you have 2 medicines: the Prejeta and the Herceptin. They used the same port that the chemo went in. That's why I got the port in the port in the first place. I don't remember any side effects from these infusions - a piece of cake. As I said in another post, I had my heart checked a few times when this was going on. This all happened for me in 2015. In 2023, at 73, breast health is good.

@clynnford I used a port. It was painless even when they access it. I ended up having lymph nodes removed so I can only have injections on one arm. I’ve been in and out of hospital several times due to lung issues with radiation. With my port removed now, it’s hard at times as they try to get all the poking on one arm.

I had a surgery in Feb of 2021 to remove my tumor that had shrunk half with chemo. The next month i started Herceptin and Perjeta. For me, i had it by IV drip through my port. One drug at a time. Those drugs were not mixed until i was checked in and ready to go. Way too costly. Only then were they ordered from the pharmacy. They are prepared with your weight and your needs, so no wasted doses. Once that one was infused, they called for the other one making sure my body took the first one. I was offered Benadryl, but I did not use it. For chemo I did use. 18 rounds of Herceptin & Perjeta done every 3 weeks. It took about 2.5 hours with the wait on the drug to be delivered. I took the Tylenol for the chemo infusions and the chemo.
I do not feel like i had many side effects from these two drugs. I will say the City of Hope gave you a sandwich and snacks as you donated. The cost of these treatments is wicked. My insurance covered it. I got a different nurse every time, so I got so many questions about everything during this time. Lastly, it was relaxing.

All of us have different bodies. You will know after the first couple infusions, how you feel. I used the "how do I feel every morning" daily. Lived with the real side effects until sometimes I forgot I had them. The slightly metal taste in my mouth was with me from Dec of 2021 until July of 2023. I will never know which drug did that for sure. Like the chemos and lynparza.

Thanks. What about your Lung issues with radiation? Curious, I have an underlying lung issue and wonder what you problems with radiation were.
Thanks!