Heart issues on TCHP

tmulholl

Hi all --

I just finished 4th of 6 TCHP chemo cycles. Every time, starting 2 days after infusion, I get the following symptoms: shortness of breath; high pulse (90 resting vs. normal of mid 60's, and jumping up to 130 just walking across house); heart palpitations/forceful heartbeat; and extreme fatigue with any physical exertion. These symptoms disappear pretty abruptly every cycle about 9 days after infusion.

I had a repeat Echo test on heart after 3rd infusion, which was normal. No evidence of low LVEF, which can be a side effect of the Herceptin, or any other heart damage.

I have had mild to severe anemia, which has similar effects, but my red blood cell levels are actually lower in the 3rd week after infusion, when I'm feeling good, then in the week after, when heart symptoms are present.

The doctors can't explain it. Their best guess is anemia, but they don't know why heart effects only happen in week after infusion, and why they don't correspond to red blood cells levels.

My oncologist mentioned Perjeta/Pertuzumab as a possibility, just because it is a new drug and he is not as familiar with the side effects. However, he had never heard of this effect, and I can't find any anything about it online.

Has anyone else had similar issues?