Herceptin & shortness of breath

I just finished my year of Herceptin...and the doctor could not stress it enough that if I had any shortness of breath to call him...Thankfully I didn't have any problems..

Angie

I just finished by chemo yesterday - yay!  I had herceptin, taxotere & carboplatin ev 3 weeks x 6. I had a MUGA scan of my heart to make sure it was healthy before I started and 2-3 months into treatment - my heart was healthy.  But yesterday when I went for my last chemo my onc asked me if I get winded and I said I have been.  She was concerned & wants me to get another MUGA scan before proceeding with my year of herceptin.  I can't complain since I have felt pretty good through it all - no throwing up or anything.  I've just gotten really tired & my legs feel really weak from the last 2 treatments.  Has anyone else experienced being winded while on herceptin & how is your heart?  I have a family history of heart disease & it worries me.  Thanks, Gail

Did you have Herceptin for a whole year?  Did they monitor your heart every 2-3 months?  I go for my MUGA scan tomorrow.  Thanks for your input. 

I am going towards my 4th cycle of chemo and get herceptin once every week.  Yes, I have been and still am experiencing shortness of breath and increased pulse rate.  I am also anemic.  I read that shortness of breath/increased pulse rate is one of the effects of herceptin, and my onco confirmed that.  Plus, I have been told that my anemia has something to do with it also.  I had my heart checked as a routinary precaution a week after I had my first dose of herceptin and my onco said the results were okay.  I'm not sure when I need to be checked again, though.   So I guess what I am saying is that you are not alone in what you are experiencing. 

 dblinch

I to get short of breath, but i thought it was from my asma, or lung  dis, keep telling my dr ,but muga comes back ok, anyone getting any other side affects???? ready for round 7 monday

weety911 - you should definitely let your onc know about these symptoms.  I had TCH and I think the carbo made me short of breath.  I also had a similar heart beating feeling, and that was caused by the steriod (dex).  It could be the medication but you want to make sure with your doctor.  Best to you!!  lisa

I had a scare they found nodules on my right lung on the CT they did to set up rads.  Did a bronchoscopy and turned out to be nothing, but pulmonary doc did notice a change in lining of lungs and said it could be from herceptin or from rads, so I have to do a pulmonary function test every 6 weeks until I am done with herceptin.  I can easily go blow into a machine every 6 weeks until March to make sure my lungs stay OK.  That may be why they listen to lungs and ask if you are out of breath each time you are there as well as watching for heart problems.  They might not have known about this if I had not had bronchoscopy because I was not short of breath except after climbing 18 stairs to an office in the building where I work.  I must say I am out of shape and that contributes too.  Annette

Weety, I had shortness of breath at times when I was on chemo. I think it is partly the lower RBC, though from what you said on the TCH thread, yours isn't that low.  I had it sometimes when mine wasn't all that low either. I haven't had the symptom since I've been done with chemo and taking only Herceptin.