trouble breathing on Herceptin

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jkcrml
jkcrml Member Posts: 65
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

 I had a reaction from TX3 of TCH and was put on Claritin and Benadryle for the hives. Two days after receiving TX4 I had trouble breathing, when I walked more than three steps I would have to stop to catch my breath. This lasted about 6 days. The same thing has happened after TX5. Has anyone else had this problem? The nurses think it is from the herceptin but don't know because they have not seen this problem before. I have one more chemo to go and then hecpetin for the year but they are thinking of not doing the hecpetin for awhile. Has anyone started stopped and started again?

thanks

Karen

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited June 2009

    Karen,

    As Herceptin is known to damage the heart, causing a drop in the amount of blood the heart can eject, I'd call your doctor and ask for a MUGA scan (radioactive tracer study which outlines heart function) or heart ultrasound as soon as possible. If you are found in early heart failure, the Herceptin can be stopped temporarily and medicines given to improve your breathing.

    Bumping this up for HER+ comments.

    Best to you,

    Tender

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited June 2009

    I will say, I did not have the breathing issues until I was on Herceptin alone. I do not experience them as bably as you though. I am much more winded when I exercise. And if I take off running up my stairs.. I have to catch my breath. I HATE IT!

    I have had many, many muga/eco tests of my heart. We do them here every 12 weeks or more if I have issues. My heart is as strong as a 20 yr olds they tell me.

    I just wonder if it is not a SE of Herceptin. My nurse have others talk about it too... but my Onco do not think it is ( unless my heart was showing damage..and it is not)

    My advice would be tell you Oncologist right away, and as Tender said, get a muga or eco test asap. This will rule out heart damage or let you know if it is your heart. If it is.. , like Tender said, they will stop Herceptin and give you the drugs to get the heart back to 100% AOK shape... and then resume Herceptin.

    All these drugs saving our lives are just driving me crazy...hehe.. how about you ladies?

    God Bless !

    Laura

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  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited June 2009

    I had shortness of breath off and on during chemo (TCH) was attributed to anemia.A month ago I had Herceptin only(had 5 prior) and was so weak and tired and out of breath,nauseous,no appetite,.Felt like chemo again..Doctor ordered an echo as my MUGA had shown a drop from high 60's to high 50's. Echo was fine and I am now feeling OK,but still once in a while have a feeling of breathlessness. I had Herceptin today,which nurse ran for an hour with more saline,usually have it for 30 minutes.She hoped this would help with side effects.Jackie

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  • jkcrml
    jkcrml Member Posts: 65
    edited June 2009
    thanks for your help, it's nice to know I am not alone. I have had a echo, ct and pet scan in the last week and everything looks ok- which puts it back on the herceptin. I'm hoping that it's the combination of the chemo and I only have 1 more to go. The problem is it gets so bad that I have blacked-out. Makes everyone around me a little nervous! Smile
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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited June 2009

    This still doesn't sound right, yet good news your heart shows no sign of congestive heart failure etc.

    Hives from TCH, shortness of breath and blackout or fainting??? How about a very serious allergic reaction to one of the chemotherapies? With three drugs it's impossible to say which one might be the culprit, but the taxane family are well known for being allergenic (allergy prone). 

    Have you spoken with your doctor about options? You'd hate to crump big time from a serious allergy reaction to make it through chemo. Has he mentioned Abraxane, a slightly less allergy prone taxane, and are you getting proper premeds, slow chemo infusions, good saline flush post treatment? 

    Seriously, if you've passed out while being short of breath too, it still suggests low oxygen (?air way spasm, ? heart arrhythmia) to the brain.

    I'd definitely insist on talking with my oncologist about this way before chemo is given and have a go over by an internist/cardiologist. No harm in delaying if it saves a problem. I might even have a family member with an EPI (epinepherine) pen available too at home if I ever were given the chemo cocktail again.

    Please be careful,

    Tender

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