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Taking Herceptin IV For Breast Cancer. Have Nausea, Vomiting, Coughing And Sneezing. Dark Stool. Advice?
Yes, I am being treated for IDC - breast cancer. I had chemo for 6 months and now taking Herceptin iv every 3 weeks. I will have another Herceptin infusion on Monday.
After my first Herceptin infusion (three weeks ago), I have been experiencing nausea, vomiting, flu like symptoms with coughing, sneezing, raspy voice and this has lingered on since that first Herceptin.
My question is this:
For the last two days, I have been coughing up very thick and blood tainted sputum and this evening, I had a large diaharea and the stool was very black. I have not eaten anything black to cause this either.
Should I be alarmed and contact my doctor immediately or just pass it off as my being an alarmist?
After my first Herceptin infusion (three weeks ago), I have been experiencing nausea, vomiting, flu like symptoms with coughing, sneezing, raspy voice and this has lingered on since that first Herceptin.
My question is this:
For the last two days, I have been coughing up very thick and blood tainted sputum and this evening, I had a large diaharea and the stool was very black. I have not eaten anything black to cause this either.
Should I be alarmed and contact my doctor immediately or just pass it off as my being an alarmist?
posted on
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Answered on
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Dear Ma'am,
Sorry to hear about your problem. You should immediately consult your oncologist as the black stools are due to bleeding inside your stomach and that is the reason you are spitting out blood as well. This can be a side effect of herceptin and the other chemotherapy drugs which you received.
Hope you get well soon.
Sorry to hear about your problem. You should immediately consult your oncologist as the black stools are due to bleeding inside your stomach and that is the reason you are spitting out blood as well. This can be a side effect of herceptin and the other chemotherapy drugs which you received.
Hope you get well soon.
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Hello;
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
The flu like symptoms that you desribed is very typical with herceptin.It is usually self limiting so nothing to worry about.
However coughing blood stained sputum and black stool is not good sign.It suggest you are having some internal bleeding.Contact your oncologist immediately to investigate this symptom and make sure there is nothing serious.
Regards
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
The flu like symptoms that you desribed is very typical with herceptin.It is usually self limiting so nothing to worry about.
However coughing blood stained sputum and black stool is not good sign.It suggest you are having some internal bleeding.Contact your oncologist immediately to investigate this symptom and make sure there is nothing serious.
Regards
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