I know long term chemo can affect the heart but has anyone felt it during treatment? I have had one session and my resting heart rate has gone up 20 bpm and hasn’t come down. I was so nauseated and tired for 4 days that I took no notice but now I am better it’s still there beating away so much faster than before. I have been a fit active person with a really low resting pulse and now it’s quite fast. I only have 2 weeks between treatments and no opportunity to talk about this with my oncologist between getting hooked up and treated again. This bothers me - I am prepared for coming out the other end of this with a different body but not prepared for heart damage. Wondering if anyone else noticed anything like this?

Thank you both. I will try to talk to the oncology clinic Monday. I have thought of going through emergency department for an ECG but I feel like I am being overly anxious I guess. As a former nurse I know no one will be alarmed that my heart rate is 80 bpm but it’s not normal for me. I feel it would be stupid to not get it checked though. I can’t go back if I leave it and it gets worse.

At very least talk to the oncology nurses about this but perhaps you can get a message to your oncologist? Or through your GP? My blood pressure and heart rate were checked before each treatment, which is how a heart issue was detected (I was blithely unaware of it). It may well be a temporary reaction but you are right to have it noted and checked. Best wishes.

So sorry you've had this side effect from your chemo @ddon There must be some way of contacting your Onc before your next treatment - even if it is to see a different onc for a 2nd opinion. Can you contact your closest hospital to see who is 'on call'? My mantra has always been IF IN DOUBT, GET CHECKED OUT - so if you are still worried about this (and I can see why!) go to Emergency and get it all documented so there is a paper trail.My husband developed a heart condition following his chemo 10 years ago.I put up a post about it a while back - tho I don't think any happened during treatment other than @Brenda5 - but hers was from AIs. https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19592/cardiomyopathy-and-chemo-a-serious-condition-to-be-aware-of/p1All the best - and I hope it settles down for you asap . xx

I had an echocardiogram prior and was told my heart was ‘perfect’ so I know I don’t have anything pre-existing. I will definitely get it reviewed before my next chemo. Thank you to everyone who has replied.

AC affecting the heart? | BCNA Online Network

shs14
Member
6 years ago
@ddon, the only study on cold therapy I can source is Japanese, listed in the post. It strongly shows that cold therapy does minimise the effects of Peripheral Neuropathy in Paclitaxel regimes. Patients used cold therapy on one side and not the other and the differences were notable. There seems a lot of ignorance around cold therapy and I am currently writing to my hospital, with the support of Oncologist, Breast Surgeon, Radiation Oncologist and Chemo Nurse Educator to promote its use in our Day Therapy unit.
ddon
Member
6 years ago
I got an extra day of dex this time - I guess because my nausea was so bad for 8 days last cycle. It has been better this time but my heart has been crazy. Lucky I am off coffee or the combination might be too much.
primek
Member
6 years ago
It's like having a big shot of caffeine.
Afraser
Member
6 years ago
That’s interesting @primek, I didn’t know that either. Mind you, I can’t blame my irregular heartbeat on dexamethasone as I took practically none. But it’s noteworthy that it has never been mentioned to me as a side effect, which it clearly is according to the literature. Learn something new every day.
ddon
Member
6 years ago
The dexamethasone affects the heart you mean? No one mentioned that. Also my knees seem swollen today and my face is puffy. I am guessing that’s the steroids also? My ankles are a little puffy but not bad. I feel totally shattered actually. I can’t imagine right now 2 more AC and 12 of the other. Just walking is a struggle.
primek
Member
6 years ago
Are you taking dexamethasone as part of your treatment to stop nausea. This is a common side effect as well as horrible sleep with this drug. The alternative of vomiting isn't a better option but it just helps if you know.
ddon
Member
6 years ago
Thank you - I read over your posts - I am stressed about the neuropathy because I play piano - just recreationally but I am good at it - and I don’t want to lose that. And I like to run and I don’t want to lose that either. I talked to the oncology nurse last week about ice gloves and she says the hospital got rid of them because studies showed they don’t work. Looks like I will have to rig up my own just like you did. It’s surely worth a try to save my fingers and toes.
shs14
Member
6 years ago
Good for you! By the end of 20 weeks I was very slow, but still walking!
If you are like most of us then next is Paclitaxel. It is easier, at least to start with. tHave a look at my post in treatments about cold therapy, search Taxol. I am trying to spread the word as I think it is an effective way to limit sometimes long term side effects. x
ddon
Member
6 years ago
It’s sure knocking my energy levels but I am trying to keep moving lots and walk - just not at my usual pace. Glad you are nearly back to normal. I dont do herceptin - just AC then next 12 weeks of whatever that other drug is ( day 4, my head is too foggy to think). Seems a long road ahead but glad the option is there for treatment.
shs14
Member
6 years ago
AC is a bugger @ddon, I found that walking lots helped limit the side effects. Hopefully you will start to feel better about five days in and improve slowly until you have to go again. You are half way now! Only way to look at this whole thing is that you are getting through it. I am out the other side apart from regular Herceptin and feeling almost normal. Hope you feel better soon.