Carboplatin /Taxol and Vertigo

Sam062- I did not have vertigo as you describe during chemo, but got tinnitus from Carboplatin which still hasn't resolved, 8 weeks PFC. The erratic throbbing in my ears at random times, even when there is nothing but silence made me nuts.

You should tell your doctor about it. I suspect that the Carboplatin (or taxane!) is affecting the growth of cilia in our ears which can cause vertigo spells, tinnitus. Hopefully it is not a sign of an ear infection, although I suspect you would know, being in pain or with fever if that were the case?

Take care.

Oh, I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I remember the nurses telling me that "not everyone gets all the side effects", but that I appeared to be one of the ones that got even the "rare" side effects. I'm with you - perhaps get a referral to an ENT just in case? Our hearing and vision is so important, and I worry about permanent damage, too. But you may be like me- so sick and tired of spending most of my time in doctors' offices these days, that I wait until things get bad to take any action...

All the best to you during and after treatment!

I hear you! The biggest surprise to me were the new SEs I developed PFC. I never had neuropathy or nail issues until after I completed my 6 rounds of TCHP. And then that's when I finally told the nurses that yup, I had finally gotten all the SEs, head to toe, that they listed.

I was surprised by how many SEs I got hit by as well, having been in great health. Most were just annoying - not enough to land me in the hospital - but enough to severely impact my quality of life. Thankfully, I'm starting to notice *some* recovery, finally- almost 2 months out. The tinnitus isn't AS frequent, and my watery, itchy eyes aren't leaking constantly!

Hang in there - I hope your SEs go away, and that in the meantime, keep reporting them to your doctor and nurses. The remedies they offer can be helpful, and if anything, you want to be sure you're doing what you can to prevent permanent damage. Good luck!!

Hi,

' m a 5 year survivor of triple negative BC. I had dose dense ACT chemo followed by rads. I had acute vertigo 2 years post treatment that landed me in the ICU for 3 days. Then 3 years later, this past April, I had another acute vertigo attack with 4 days of hospitalization. Both times all brain CT and MRIs were negative. After the second attack, it took me about 6 weeks to walk without a walker. I still don't feel totally normal. Dx was acute vestibular neuritis. I never had inner ear problems or vertigo before BC treatment. Since I was never on carboplatin or tamoxifen, etc., I suspect the ACT chemo permanently compromised my immune system and or damaged the nerves in my inner ear, making me prone to acute vertigo. I found a 2005 NIH study that mentioned that BC patients report what appears to be a higher incidence of vertigo. Vertigo may be a latent effect of chemo that has to be studied more. I've seen my MO, neurologists, and ENT doctors. The problem I've encountered is that all of the doctors are so specialized that it's hard to find someone who knows if treatment in one area (MO chemo for BC) resulted in an acute problem in another area (ENT vertigo). If anyone knows of any other studies linking BC treatment to acute vertigo (vestibular disorders), please post the information. Thanks.

Susanella, NY

2011 -- DX TNBC; rt lumpectomy 1.9cm; micromets; grade 3; 1 SN, 1 IM gland, Stage IIA; re-excision - clear margins; ACT chemo; 30 rads; 2012 - UC: total hysterectomy, 0 lymphs; 2014 - acute vertigo; 2015 -- DX LCIS left; BDMX; Bilateral DIEP flat reconstruction; 2017 - acute vertigo - brain CT & MRI neg., bone scan neg.