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humblevoice's avatar
humblevoice
Member
10 years ago

help pls.... new port and 3rd ac chemo choking and heart beat problems?

hi everyone... i am trying to decide if i should go to er... i got a new port put in on tuesday, its a much much bigger deal than i realized... but since that night i've been experiencing choking feelings when i lie down, and indigestion, which i dont know if it is indigestion... and my heart has been pounding alot, much faster than usual and stronger beat... last night i was very panicky about all this, and today i took a nap around 4pm and same thing happened, felt choking and then my heart pounded really really hard once, then i started to get very panicky... last night i talked to the chemo nurses and they said to go to er, and i asked them if it would be ok if i tried to sleep once more and if that didnt work i'd just go to er... i got some sleep and today my chest infection is back from 3 weeks ago... so i'm starting the antibiotix dox told me to take incase i got another chest infection. no fevers atm and havent had any fevers since first chemo... my heart rate last night when i measured it with a fitbit was 105bpm compared to my normal 70 at rest... 

has anyone had any heart problems? i wonder if its the chemo or the port? the port has been very uncomfortable for me... i can feel it every time i lie down... very sore too sometimes in certain movements... if i go to er they said i may be waiting alot because it doesnt seem to be lifethreatening... i have complex ptsd so i'm very triggered the past few days... i know its just a port but i dont think i deal very well with things in my body or being operated on... i dont think it's a panick attack... but i'm not sure... 

any shared experience or advice would be so great... thank u for reading 

10 Replies

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hun, definitely talk to them... Please do not do anything fash... I know it gets really hard but the Oncologist needs to know how distressing it is for you as they can alter treatement plan.

    I can definitely understand the frustration and depression as I had a really bad few weeks myself and desparing... Managed to get in to see an immunolpgist and now sorted (I hope) but I honestly felt it was the end if the line last week...

    I hope apppintment helps and let me know how you go...

    Jel

  • humblevoice's avatar
    humblevoice
    Member
    10 years ago

    hi jel, well i had my last ac chemo and it happened again... pressure in my chest turned into constriction in my throat... :'(  it's been a week now... i can't take it anymore ... [removed by BCNA]... i'm seeing the onco again tmrw i'm going to ask them for a plan... next chemo is the taxol.... how have you been? hugs back

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    I am glad that you got cheked out as at least you know heart is OK and there is no serious damage

    I agree it is terrible to be feeling that way 24x7 so really good that you are seeing the oncologist tomorrow.

    There has to be something elsenthey can do for you as there is always more than 1 solution and maybe they need to position it differently.

    So many women have these lines and all swear by them so there must be something they can do in your case.

    Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted 

    Hugs

    Jel

    PS and please never be affraun from going to Emergency if having trouble during the Chemo beast.There is so much our bodies go through that you must be cerayin all is well and you are not dealing with infections as with Chemo they qork fast and can be life threatening. That 'priority treatment' in the Emergency is probably the only thing that is on oir side during this torture...

  • humblevoice's avatar
    humblevoice
    Member
    10 years ago

    hi jel, i went to er they did all tests except an ultrasound, they can't find whats wrong but i am still feeling choked :'(    i am seeing the usual oncologist tmrw and going to ask them what my gp said that it might have hurt a nerve, and i'm going to push for an ultrasound too... i cant take it anymore its just too hard to go thru chemo and cancer and everything else, plus feeling like im being choked 24/7

  • Autore's avatar
    Autore
    Member
    10 years ago

    I can empathize with the port being uncomfortable . I'm petite and it stuck out a lot . It hurt more than I was expecting, especially when lying down. After a few weeks it did settle down and I didn't notice it most of the time. I think the body needs some time to et used to a foreign object in the body!

    Definetly go to your GP for a check up today if you can. Always good just to double check these things. 

    Best of luck xo

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    I hope you had a better night and no major dramas hun but still very kuch hoping you do not wait until next week to get it checked out at the ER.

    Fair few women had posted on the main group (not in the young women's blog as this is one is a bit restricted so not everyone see this) about ER experiences and all had the same experience - a fast forwarded admission into ER due to us being at such high risk for infectons.

    If this is some.sort of infection it could delay your future chemo treatment and you really do not want that.

    Again, keep us posted - wishing you all the best

    Jel

  • Jess_BCNA's avatar
    Jess_BCNA
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi  there Humblevoice - just jumping in also, sometimes it can be best just to be sure, and seek medical advice at the ER if you are concerned. I hope you start to feel a little better after your visit ~ Jess

  • humblevoice's avatar
    humblevoice
    Member
    10 years ago

    hi jel thanks for your replies and thanks so much for the tips i did not know that u can do that.... thanks heaps. i think i should go... but at the moment i feel quite ok and calm... my partner said we should go too... i'm gona just sit on it for the next hour and decide... thanks so much for dropping by and commenting... its really awful you have a similar problem  with your heart too it is quite scary!

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    BTW - ER say long wait BUT that emergency neutropenia card gets you seen quickly

    Call the number on it tell them problemsnyoubhave an infection and see what they say. Do not call hospital number - call the emergency one on the card.

    That card should fast forward you - no wait...

    Jel.

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    hun, I do not have a port BUT if nurses said go to ER then please do it

    If you do have an infection and are having chemo then younneed it addressed immediately.

    Some types of Chemo do affect the heart and will cause ireegular heartbeat (I am having that issue myself) BUT i had been to my GP, we did an ECG and bloodntests to make sure heart is OK and nit running a fever.

    It is a long weekend, hospitals get nuts as is - best go get checked out. You should have that 'neutropeni alert' card so show it to Emergency triage nurse as soon as younget there and you will get priority treatment. They will look after you and check you out.

    Please do not delay

    All the best

    Jel.