1. < Gynecologic Cancers
Profile picture for cookercooker

Enhertu treatment and quality of life

Posted by cookercooker @cookercooker, Oct 6, 2024

Can anyone who has gone through this tell me how the protocol for this treatment contributes to quality of life. As I understand it, one must continue the treatment until they can't take it anymore (they die, the treatment is unendurable)? There are other treatment available, which seem to display similar OS, such as LenPem, which does have an end point.
Any comments would be really welcome. I've got to decide what to do, given the two choices.
Thanks:)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Profile picture for margitdill
margitdill | @margitdill | Jul 29 10:51am

Hi … thank you. My fatigue is of the debilitating type. I can barely get out of bed and I have neuropathy in my legs due to the last treatment. I’ve had to hire a dog walker, really for the last year. Since the first dose of ENHERTU 8 days ago, I go in and out of sleep sort of like narcolepsy all day long. I am not able to do any activities except walk a short distance to my kitchen to get food that I’ve had delivered. Prior to this first dose I did not feel all that bad. In fact I went out to eat twice with my brother and went to a cookout at my cousin’s all within a span of a few days. Then I had the dose and wham I turned into a sick weak debilitated person I do not recognize or know.

REPLY
Profile picture for cookercooker
cookercooker | @cookercooker | Jul 29 1:33pm

Have you spoken with your oncologist? She/he may have to reduce the dose you're getting. I wouldn't wait to contact her/him. Really.

REPLY
Profile picture for margitdill
margitdill | @margitdill | Jul 29 4:30pm
In reply to @val64 "The important question is how it affects YOUR quality of life and if the side effects..." + (show)
Profile picture for val64 @val64

The important question is how it affects YOUR quality of life and if the side effects are worth the benefits for you. Different people react differently.

From what you've said before, it seems like Enhertu is working on your cancer. Statistically, LenPem may work just as well on the total population, but it may or may not work for you. And the side effects may be better or worse.

If it were me, I'd stick with the Enhertu until it stopped working, unless I felt that the quality of life was unacceptable. Better the devil you know.

Jump to this post

I took the advice of this group and consulted my oncologist on how sick I am on ENHERTU. He wants to try a dose reduction next time. Has anyone found this to be helpful? Thank you.

REPLY
Profile picture for cookercooker
cookercooker | @cookercooker | Jul 29 6:22pm

It should be helpful, although I'm taking the full dose. I'm glad you talked to your oncologist!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.