Kisqali and heart issues

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EastcoasttoWestcoast
EastcoasttoWestcoast Member Posts: 24
edited October 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello and thank you to anyone reading this. I am new to this forum and posting. My diagnosis changed quickly to de novo stage IV after a few tests. Im currently finished w/ my first round of Kisqali and just feeling defeated and cried in the dr office and on the way home and thought this was the only place I could share these feelings and frustrations where someone would understand.

My EKG's were abnormal while on the Kisqali and I was having palpitations. Although last week my oncologist didn't think the abnormal results from the EKG were from the Kisqali (he said not normally what they see as far as abnormalities from the meds, but thought it could be possible from the Lupron injections) he wanted me to see a cardiologist for a holter monitor for 24/48 hours. I don't do that until the 27th-and should be starting round 2 of the Kisqali this Friday (no Monday start because I started my first round on a Friday, long story). So at today's appointment since I reported still having palpitations, although less frequent, he is having me stop Kisqali until the cardiologist clears me.

I feel frustrated and am wondering if anyone else has had this experience or anything similar? I've tried to remain so level headed since my diagnosis and this has me so sad. My neutrophils are also on the low side so w/ labs tomorrow I may have had to break anyway. Already.


If this post is not appropriate please let me know.

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  • Bestbird
    Bestbird Member Posts: 2,818
    edited October 2021

    I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with cardiac issue in addition to so many others, and it's good that you're seeing a cardiologist.

    Below is an excerpt about Kisqali and heart-related issues from my book, "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" which is also available as a complimentary .pdf. For information about approved treatments, contending with side effects, cutting edge research, and more, please visit https://www.insidersguidembc.com

    "Unlike Ibrance and Verzenio, Kisqali has been known to cause QT Interval Prolongation (accelerated heart rate that can lead to loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, or even death) as well as hepatobiliary toxicity (toxicity to the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and/or bile)."


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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited October 2021

    I'm sorry to hear about your the heart issues as well. I know it's so frustrating and upsetting to struggle with a drug that we see as a lifeline. After failing Taxol, I put a lot of hope into Ibrance, only to find that my body would not tolerate it (significantly impacted my red blood cells). It was so disheartening when there are many on that drug for years who are doing very well.

    But don't give up hope. There are many options out there for ER+ MBC. Perhaps you can switch to Ibrance? Or possibly Verzenio? I’m sure your MO will come up with an alternative if it does seem that Kisqali is not the right one for you.

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  • EastcoasttoWestcoast
    EastcoasttoWestcoast Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2021

    Thank you Bestbird and Sadiesservant for your replies, I very much appreciate your time and thoughts.


    Bestbird, thank you for the link to your book, I am going to check it out.

    Sadiesservant, you said it best, its hard when you now look at a drug as a lifeline. I was able to move up my cardiologist appointment and am back on Kisqali after some negotiating. I am picking up a holder monitor tomorrow that I will wear for a week and hope for a good outcome. I just got started with Kisqali and I do not want to switch medicines already but I will do what I have to do.

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