Blood clot in heart

KarenAus

Hi New here and thought maybe I could get some info.

I have had a double mastecomy and started AC chemo at the end of June. I have my last dose on Monday and start 1 weekly taxol for 12 weeks.

In that time I have had shortness of breath and just thought it was the chemo. Last week I had 2 episodes where I had trouble breathing, fatigue to near collapse, sweating and shivering with cold and numbness of feet, hands and lips. 2 trips in ambulance to hospital and a week in hospital. They found a blood clot in my heart put me on clexane and sent me home. I now worry because of not knowing what is mastectomy, chemo or heart caused.

Anyone else been through this?

KarenAus

Meadow

Karen, welcome!. I hope you find answers and support here on this wonderful website. Wow, I am so sorry you have had a rough go. I do not know the answers you seek, but I am bumping your question to the top of the active threads, hopefully you will get some input from someone soon. Mods...any ideas? Our Moderators here on BCO are so wonderful, and sometimes have links for you to look at that can give you direction. What follow ups will you have regarding the blood clot? I am sending you a BIG cyber hug! (((Karen)))

KarenAus

Have no idea of follow ups, they just sent me home with instructions on the clexane. I have my last AC on Monday so maybe find out a bit more. There was mumbling of another Echo but not sure when.

Karen

Moderators

Hi Karen-

We're so sorry to hear about the difficulties you're having! It seems likely that the clot was a side effect of the mastectomy, rather than the chemo. Clots after major surgery do happen. They will form at the surgical site, and sometimes dislodge and travel through the vascular system. They can be a very serious matter, so it's really good that you recognized something was amiss and sought medical attention. The clexane should help prevent further clotting.

Please keep us posted on what you learn after your AC treatment on Monday, we'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

KarenAus

I was getting clexane while in hospital after the mastectomy.

Kare

Morwenna

Unfortunately Breast Cancer carries an increased risk of blood clots for a variety of reasons: According to a lecture I was at yesterday, (from an onco-rehabilitation centre) just having cancer increases ones risk of thromboembolic event to 4 times normal. Having chemotherapy increases it to 6 times the normal risk. Surgery is another well known risk factor, as stated above. Add them all together and BOOM.

Personally, I have another risk factor, abnormally high platelet levels, and have suffered dvt/pe twice since my diagnosis 3 years ago. I may have to stay on anticoagulants long term now. I was on tinzaparin injections while I was on chemo, AC and then weekly taxol, then later switched to warfarin.

It sucks, but it's not cancer!

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/cancer-questions/cancer-and-the-risk-of-blood-clots#clot

KarenAus

Had a talk to my Onc today and I am to get another echo in 2 weeks. I am to stay on the 2 clexane injections a day til the end of my chemo, just lovely. I had my last Ac today so now to the taxol.

Karen

Meadow

Hang in there Karen! I hope you transition to Taxol with ease. I found it gave me leg and joint aches....they recommended claritan, the allergy pill, as this has shown to help. Have they made you aware of this possibility? Do not get discouraged, this fight is a tough one, yours even more right now, for which I am sorry. You have to be strong, fight hard, to regain your health. Sending you positive thoughts and energy. (HUGS)

KarenAus

Had an Echo done yesterday and the clot is smaller by a cm. The original size was 2.9 by 2.6 and now down below 2cm. The guys seemed happy with its progress. Thank goodness for good news. They said they will see me again. No doubt I will be having a few of these until it is done with..

Karen

208sandy

Karen - just a tip for the future - if you are ever short of breath - go directly to the Emerg - my PCP and onc warn about this constantly as I have Afib, BC, etc. so clots are expected though I've never had one. I've had a few echos though usually when they change my meds. Sounds like your tx is working well - sending good wishes, S.

KarenAus

I did, by ambulance twice in 2 days and spent 6 days in hospital

Shirrine.

Meadow

good news Karen

Girlygirl12

Hello group and especially KarenAus! This is my first post to this website although I have found it very helpful to hear what others experiences have been. I too had a blood clot in my lung the month after finishing chemo (pulmonary embolus). I was hospitalized and started on lovenox injections twice a day. Apparently as others have said chemo can cause stasis of the blood (i didn't know that). My bilat mastectomies was then postponed a month. Prior to surgery I had an IVC filter placed in my major blood vessel to prevent additional clots. I agree with others that shortness of breath or any unrelenting pain should be considered an emergency. XOXO

Meadow

Welcome Girlygirl!

KarenAus

Had a 3rd echo on friday and it hasn't reduced at all since the last one. Just got a copy of the report and they are now thinking an artrial myxoma although still looks more like a blood clot. I am sure I will find out in time what is to be done. I don't see my oncologist til next week. As there is no change it obviously is not life threatening.

Karen

KarenAus

Blood clot has gone and I am now off blood thinners. I am thinking most of my issues came from my port. Since that was taken out my heart ratre has normalised as has my breathing and chest pain.

Karen

ksusan

Good, Karen!

KarenAus

Just been to my cardiologist and been given the all clear and that I can come off the wafarin. This is the best news I have had in a long time. My heart issues have given me more worry than my cancer.

Karen