Tachycardia while receiving Adriamycin in chemo regimen

Options
RitaCarole
RitaCarole Member Posts: 3
edited January 2021 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 triple negative breast cancer (no BCRA mutations) and received my first chemo on Nov. 20, 2020. I am 58 years old with no prior heart issues or other Conor I’d conditions except for high blood pressure that is well controlled with medication.

I was scheduled to get 4 treatments 2 weeks apart of AC chemo. Between my 2d and 3d treatments I noticed my resting heart rate had been increasing and that any exertion was causing spikes. My oncologist told me to drink more water, avoid caffeine, etc. I was already drinking at least 64 oz a day, plus apple juice and an occasional Gatorade.

After my third treatment, my heart rate got worse and worse. I was/am drinking 96 oz of water a day. 11 nights after my 3d treatment, I went to ER with heart rate over 140. Over 9 hours, they figured out I was not dehydrated, my heart was not enlarged, I did not have blood clots in my lungs, and I did not have a heart attack.

I had had an echocardiogram before chemo, and had another 2 days after ER visit. And now I am scheduled to see a cardiologist next week.

I did NOT receive my fourth round of AC chemo as scheduled, and I hope to start chemo with Taxol soon.

What are others’ experiences with tachycardia after Adriamycin treatment? What medicines or other approaches have helped? I am really scared I’ll have permanent heart damage...on top of my terror of contracting CV-19. And then there’s the breast cancer...

Any shared experiences, suggestions for what to ask my doctor, and any other advice is welcome!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited January 2021

    Hi, I get tachy on chemo, even now on a taxane and definitely back when I was on adriamycin. I wear a Fitbit so was able to track my resting heart rate - do you do that by any chance?

    My resting HR prior to breast ca in 2017 was in the mid 60's. During treatment was in mid to high 80s/low 90s and I'd regularly spike into 130-140 with "exertion" such as walking to down the hall to the bathroom. My fitibt was saying I was in the cardio zone when I was slowly waddling around the house! It didn't really concern my MO. If my resting HR was consistently over 100 we would have looked at it more closely but the fitibit regularly clocked me lower. I think if really concerned I'd do an echo to check EF or get a Holter monitor to see how elevated it really is.

    My HR dropped down when I finished treatment in 2018. I don't think I ever hit the mid 60s again but definitely <70. Now that I'm back on tx, it's up again. I have had echo and 12 lead ekg and it's all ok - just a normal SE of chemo.

    hope the best for you


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2021

    Hi Rita,

    I have a heart murmur and pulmonic stenosis since birth.

    AC raised my BP, heart rate, etc, so after my first treatment, the meds were split up. I had C then A then C, etc. It took a few weeks longer, but I received the same amount. My onc felt it was a good alternative and it did make it easier to get through.

    I did not have any of those side affects with DD taxol.

    I took BP med after that first AC and continued throughout treatments. I no longer take BP meds, but I see my cardiologist on a regular basis, as I always have.

    Perhaps you, too, can divide up the remaining AC?

    Be well!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RitaCarole
    RitaCarole Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2021

    Thank you. Very helpfu

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories