The doctors tell me that my chemo has caused my heartrate to become tachycardic. My echo cardiogram is normal, but my heart rate is irregular and often way too fast. My liver is now slightly inflammed.
I’m in my forties, fairly healthy and exercise. This news has scared me.
I have had 3 EC and 2 docetaxel. Just one more docetaxel to go. Will my heart and liver improve after?
Thank you
We seem to be having very similar effects @bluesatsuma . Since I have had chemo , I have become tachycardic. Whilst they haven’t said my heartbeat is irregular, I now have a murmur and my rate has gone much higher. At my last echocardiogram the radiographer said it was fast, not at the panic stage but at the upper limit. I have difficulty sleeping sometimes because it is beating so fast. They have said that there wasn’t anything significant on my last one and the ejection fraction was 69% which is ok apparently.
Let’s hope it’s not permanent.
It’s a worry isn’t it @bigpickle? When i signed my chemo forms, i just thought it wouldn’t happen to me. I just hope it’s reversible for us both.
Hi bluesatsuma
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Hi bluesatsuma
Thank you for your post.
It is understandable you would like to know whether the symptoms you are experiencing related to your heart and liver whilst you have been having EC- T chemotherapy will improve after treatment. It sounds like you are not alone with your concerns as @bigpickle mentions they too have been experiencing tachycardia whilst they have been having chemotherapy.
Do talk through your concerns with your oncologist or breast care nurse as they will have your recent echocardiogram results. Whilst it is worth knowing that some chemotherapy drugs can cause heart and liver problems, these effects are not common. You could ask to talk to your specialist again about the benefits of having the last chemotherapy cycle compared to the risk of these effects occurring.
Most chemotherapy side effects are temporary and disappear once your treatment has finished.
Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.
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