Forum Discussion
KatyJoy
9 years agoMember
Chemo induced tachycardia
i have had 3 cycles of FEC and had the first of 3 dosetaxol on 9/1/17. I became very short of breath and had a very fast pulse (140 at rest). I have spent the last 3 days in hospital in coronary care and just came home today. My heart rate is still too fast, and goes up higher if I do the slightest thing. I will have an echocardiogram on Wednesday to compare to the baseline one I had before I started chemo. I hope there hasn't been any permanent damage to my heart. Has anyone else experienced this?
21 Replies
- KatyJoyMemberOh @socoda, you made me laugh, yes I'm sure less than cordial! Some people just don't think. @Zoffiel, I'm so glad the claratine has made a difference for you! Did you have the targine last time? I think I definitely need to get something better organised for my next dosetaxol as the last one was so painful even with the claratine. Targine is a slow release endone with naloxone so it doesn't have the same effects on the gut like constipation and nausea, that plain endone has. I hope you're tolerating it well. Yes, I totally get you wanting to abandoned the whole process! I'm feeling that too but I just need to soldier on and get through it, hopefully we can counteract the side effect better this time.
- ZoffielMemberKatyjoy, yep, it was me commenting on the Clarytine. I'm day 4 post second cycle tax then Neulasta. The Claratyne has changed my world. I have just come back inside after a 8 km walk--this time lastcycle I was bedridden. Tomorrow was hell day last time so we'll see what happens. Also taking targin slow release opioids and extended the dex for an extra five days but only 4 ml bd. Don't like the dex but it seems to be the lesser of many evils. I was at the point of abandoning the whole process but this is tolerable---misery scale 5/10.
- socodaMemberOh totally agree with the immunisation. And yep the hospital bear the burden but it is also incredibly crappy that you also have to share that burden :'( . I know when I was in hospital after my mastectomy I had to be moved as a patients wife came to visit him on the surgical ward knowing that she had whooping cough - I'm sure that the blessing I silently bestowed on her would be classed as less than cordial. And yes it does all seem too much sometimes but you are going through enough as is and don't need additional challenges, either physical or emotional thrown at you from outside parties. I think your brilliant for still finding a positive to focus on. More incoming hugs Xx
- KatyJoyMemberNot while I had chemo, it was while I was in the emergency dept with the tachycardia, yes pretty crappy hey. I feel sorry for the hospital having to track everyone down that was in the dept. mammoth job. All because some people choose not to immunise. It makes me mad. I have been immunised but due to no fault of my own, I have cancer and due to chemo have no immune system. I'm hoping it won't be to bad, thanks for the hugs, it all seems to much sometimes hey, but I know it could be worse so I need to keep thinking I'm lucky that it's not.
- socodaMemberOMG Katyjoy!!!! You must feel like you can't take a trick!!! Crossing fingers for you that you do NOT get that side effect from those injections. Pretty bad that you're exposed to measles while you're in the hospital having chemo :(. Big big gentle hugs. Xx
- KatyJoyMemberThanks @socoda, I have actually been taking daily loratadine from the beginning as I developed hives then a persistent rash after the first fec chemo, maybe that explains why the Neulasta hasn't been to bad for me until I had it with the dosetaxol. I had my echo today. I have to go back in to onc on Friday now for 3 immunoglobulin injections as it seems I was exposed to measles while I was in hospital and even though I'm immunised, I am severely neutropaenic so that's just what I need right now hey! And guess what? One of the side effects of the inj is bone and muscle pain! Just great
- socodaMemberHi Katyjoy if you are getting bone pain from the neulasta some people have commented that Claritin (chemical name: loratadine) can help with the pain. Of course run it past your oncologist but its something else that might help. Xx Cath
- melclarityMemberKatyjoy, you know I look back and I honestly dont know how I muddled through to the end!!! and thats the truth! so I broke it right down, to a day at a time and I didnt think ahead more than that. I would have gone insane if I did, trying to stay on top of the pain was just too hard. Make sure you relay everything to your Team and get out of pain!!! find some meds that actually work, I even tried Endone but honestly did nothing. It makes you drowsy but doesnt address the pain. Allergic to Codeine and Oxy is a spin off from that, OH DEAR!!! Hang in there, try a day and a week only at a time, you so can do this!!!!! Hugs Melinda xo
- AfraserMemberSore fingertips and nails are not uncommon with taxol type therapies. Talk to your breast care nurse about what you can do to relieve the symptoms. Some people find soaking in iced water helps, others have used Vitamin B. Always best to check what you are taking. Good luck. Each treatment is one treatment less to go, you will get through it.
- KatyJoyMemberOh Melinda! The things we go through! You must be a very strong woman! I am really scared about the next cycle, I hope my pain will be better managed as it really was so nasty