Tykerb

I saw my oncologist on 11 Jan 2012 and request for oral chemo before I started my radiotherapy on 25 Jan 2012.

My oncologist had wanted to prescribe Vinorelbine (Navelbine) together with Herceptin by intravenous drip.

I rejected Herceptin because the last time I had Herceptin in 2008, I had a mild heart attack from the very first dose.  I also requested for oral chemo instead of iv drip as my veins had become very fine and I would have to have a port or central line inserted.

My doctor then recommended Tykerb, which can be taken orally, in place of Herceptin.  She would start me on oral chemo after I have completed my radiotherapy as she did not want me to have complications.

I started Tykerb on 16 Jan 2012, 1250mg (5 tablets) of Tykerb a day, either 1 hour before food or 2 hours after.

A few days after I started on Tykerb, I noticed that the skin over one of the biggest lump seemed slightly slack.  It was very taut before.

Initially, Tykerb made me nauseous.  I threw up several times, like every 5 doses, I threw up one or so.  I also had diarrhea and made frequent trips to the toilet.