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Heart problems on Herceptin & Perjeta

Bunty99
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Hi there

I managed 15 doses of H & P but have now had treatment suspended ( possibly stopped) due to heart problems.  Since my last dose in November I have experienced dizzy spells, light headed ness, palpitations and chest pain. When I turned up for my December infusions my heart rate was down to 40 bpm so I was referred back to my cardiologist. My heart function has dropped again and I ended up in A&E at the weekend after hours of chest pain and palpitations. Does anyone else have experience of this? What treatment were you given? If any!  I'm just wondering if it will improve over time.. tbh I felt a bit better for the last couple of weeks and thought maybe I was over the worst but then at the weekend out of the blue it all started again and worse than ever. My pulse was all over the place on every ecg and loads of extra heartbeats - was very scary lying there watching my heart rate jumping from one extreme to another.

 Anyone else out there had this problem? Did you recover enough to complete the 18 doses?

 

thanks
 

  • Hi Bunty99,

    I'm sorry to read about the problems you've been experiencing recently. I can imagine this is very unsettling.

    Your doctor or medical team will be best placed to advise about next steps and what might be possible with regard to ongoing treatment.

    However if anyone here has similar experience to share then hopefully they'll be along soon - my reply here will boost your post so a few more people should see it.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi

     

    my mum is currently on H&P every 3 weeks. Recently she has started having severe dizzy heads, when she goes to stand or walk she is nearly taking off across the room or falling back down. I am so scared at the thought of what it could be 

  • Offline in reply to lgriff930

    I would advise her to get her heart checked out - I've had a cardiac mri since my original post and my heart has been permanently damaged by the chemo/Herceptin - it's now scarred and the function unlikely to recover. If it is her heart hopefully she can have a break from the treatment or get medication to alleviate the effects before it gets any worse 

    x

  • Offline in reply to Bunty99

    Hi 

     

    thanks for this. What kind of symptoms did you have? My mum has a regular echocardiogram every 3 months with one due soon. All her obs etc where good the last day she had them checked. I am panicking so much 

    thanks

    x

     

  • Offline in reply to lgriff930

    Hi 

    I had regular ECGs too.  Started off with 'fluttering' feeling in my chest, then light headed/dizzy spells, over time started getting chest pains which got stronger and lasted longer with pounding feeling in my chest. I could feel my heart beating erratically. I ended up nearly passing out.. sudden, strong dizziness which made me drop to my knees. It's now over 4 months since my last Herceptin and I'm on Ramipril and beta blockers - I still get chest pain and palpitations sporadically but I guess this is my new normal..just a thought but your mum's dizziness could maybe be due to low blood pressure. Has she had it checked recently? I had that when I was on chemo - was light headed and dizzy. I hope she gets it sorted, I know it's a horrible feeling. 
    x

  • Offline

    Hi Bunty I have been taken off herceptin also, I had 9 dozes and it's damaged my heart. This was my second treatment for breast cancer so I had 12 dozes of herceptin 5yr ago and had no problems then. However this time it has caused problems with my heart. I am now on 3 different pills to hopefully repair the damagr to my heart. However some of the pills can damage my kidneys so it's really a catch 22 situation, but I'm doing ok for moment. Hope you recover and stay safe.

     

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