Coronary spasms on Xeloda. Adding Dilitazem

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Suefit
Suefit Member Posts: 36
edited June 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Anyone else get this side effect? I am starting dilitazem for the spasms so I can continue xeloda. This is very rare but there has to be someone else out there.

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited June 2016

    I have noticed occasionally since I started Xeloda 3 months ago that my heart will beat rapidly for a few seconds or feel like it skips a beat. I haven't really thought much of it . . . until reading your post.

    What are your symptoms with the spasms? How often?

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  • Suefit
    Suefit Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2016

    It was on Day 4 that the middle of my chest was burning and beating fast. I thought maybe heartburn but doc said stop Meds and go to ER. They ran all the tests and no heart damage so sent me home with antacids. I restarted xeloda and symptoms happened again when I would walk or exert myself. Did some research and found out a rare side effect is a coronary spasm. So in order to continue xeloda I have to take a calcium blocker. Dont ignore chest pain or heart palpatations

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  • stagefree
    stagefree Member Posts: 2,780
    edited June 2016

    hi!

    İt's quite a common SE of X. Also described in the prescription note inside.

    Well, I had a severe tachycardiac attack on the 5th day and almost joined our angel sisters.. Docs had a hard time regulating my heartbeat. I have been on heart pills ever since. Having a brief break from X, I've been on it for 4,5 years ;) I have random heart racing feeling, occasional shortness of breath and minimal tachycardiac attacks.. But hey! What are we expecting taking this poison to kill the c-buggers. There's a price to pay with each of these drugs. :)

    Hope you stay long on it with minimal effect, taking your heart pills, as I do.. Btw mood meds do help the heart..

    Hugs

    Ebru

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  • Suefit
    Suefit Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2016

    if it is so common why are there not more posts? I am tempted to stop it all. I tolerated all the hormonals but they just didnt work. This chemo pill is kicking my ass. Started the heart meds and feel aweful. Maybe I do need a mood enhancer

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited June 2016

    I take Dilitiazen for afib (afibrillation) which I've had prior to my diagnosis of MBC. It is common in old folks like me and I've never taken Xeloda. At first I had a lot of side effects, namely fatigue and neuropathy but after being on it for a while and stopping my statin, it really doesn't bother me other than another pill to take and it does reduce my heart rate.

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited June 2016

    I did not do well on taxol or Xeloda. heart racing to 175- caused damage. Too much neuropathy and diahrea & vomitting that meds did not control.

    Terri


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  • stagefree
    stagefree Member Posts: 2,780
    edited June 2016

    Dear Sue,

    I survived a possible dearh from X and yet preferred it to MO's Navelbine offer as my heart condition was taken care of.. And been on it for 4,5 years :) was a risky business but has worked so far. Yep, the fatigue makes you sleepy and the lıss of energy is crappy. Yep, appetite loss should be supported by stomach protective and nausia ( this is important.. One needs not be taking these pills just to avoid vomiting. These help appetite gain:) ) pills.. Most have HFS on their hands and feet.. I have it on my face.. Dealed with it with simple nivea & sebamed products.. And occasional chemo breaks.. This has been all worth it!

    If the SEs are too harsh, there are quite a few other great chemos.. Trust me I prefer chemo to most hormonals. The hormonal stuff didn't work at first.. Now trying again with chemo.

    I had cancer 27 years back. I had chemo then. Rads as well. Way worse back then! No proper supporting stuff. This has been an easier treatment so far, doable! Trust me! Hope you find the doable treatment for you soon. X is too harsh to some girls I know. I read all threads on the boards right at the start. Each and all comment.

    Yep! You do take mood meds, prescribed by a proper psychiatrist.. Xanax, Lexapro etc are all for times like these.

    Ask for pain pills, the good stuff. Becoming a junkie is the least of our problems.

    And please do have a good pulmonologist on your doc team. Well, I am not the girl I once was.. Do have hard times.. Like almost dying haha :) well still each moment smelling my son's head counts.. And well worth it. I promised myself I'll quit therapy when I lose my current qol.. Keep trying a bit more. First thing first. Do visit a proper psychiatrist for the right mood & anxiety pills.

    Hugs

    Ebru

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  • HopeFaithCourage
    HopeFaithCourage Member Posts: 156
    edited June 2016

    hi ladies. I tried X. I had such severe jaw and kneck and left arm pain it scared me. It was awful to the point I could not tolerate it. Doc said that was highly unusual and said I won't be taking it again. I think it might have been heart related.

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