Hi. I was diagnosed in April and since then have had neo-adjuvant chemo, Phesgo injections, a lumpectomy, and radiotherapy two weeks ago. The chemo didn’t clear the 3cm lump fully and because I’m triple positive, I was offered 14 cycles of Kadcyla. I’ve had 3 cycles so far, the third one the day after I finished my 5th session of radiotherapy. Have been exhausted and weak ever since but that is to be expected. I have also been struggling with blurry vision. At first I thought it was because of the radiotherapy but I’m now wondering if it’s a side effect of the Kadcyla, or possibly the Zoladex injections I have every 4 weeks. I’m not on Tamoxifen but Letrozole.
Has anybody experienced blurry vision (mostly further away fuzziness which worsens as the day goes on) and what did you find was the reason for it? Also did you find anything helped with it, to alleviate the symptoms? I have tried Optrex eye mist and have started Artelac every day today, to help if it’s dryness and/or tired eyes that’s causing it.
My Radiologist seems pretty sure it’s not the radiotherapy so I’m going to contact my Oncologist on Monday, as I am meant to have my 4th cycle of Kadcyla on Wednesday.
Thanks for any help and advice, as always.
Best wishes to all of you.xx
Hi. Don’t know whether it’s of help. Never had Kadcyla but did have blurred vision, again long sight, I could read a book, at end of my chemotherapy. Ir did clear on it’s own and didn’t last for too long. However, I’d definitely mention it to your oncologist just in case it is a side effect of Kadcyla.
Thank you @Seasons for replying and giving me your experience of eye issues, much appreciated. I saw my Oncologist on Tuesday and he thinks it is the Kadcyla and has given me a week’s break and reduced the dose by 20%. Although both Zoladex and Letrozole also carry this risk, albeit an uncommon side effect, too. It hasn’t improved as yet but hopefully it will. Strange it occurred suddenly overnight after 2 sessions of radiotherapy but nobody seems to think that is what caused it.
Hope you’re doing well after chemo and getting back your strength. How long would you say it took for your eyesight to improve after you finished it?
Best wishes,
Helen.xx
Hey there!
I’m also on Kadcyla and have had eye problems from Docetaxel and now with this too.
I’m awaiting round 3/14 and have just been prescribed ‘artificial tears’ eye drops which help a lot. They also seem to stop my continual sniffy nose quite a bit too
Hi @missc74 . Thank you for your response. Sorry to hear you’re struggling with your eyes too. I was on Docetaxol (and Carboplatin) before this as well.
I’ve been using eyedrops and a heated eye mask I bought from Amazon for around £6. You heat it up in the microwave and it really has helped with the blurriness. What is the name of the eyedrops you’re using?
My nose is constantly dripping too so any alleviation of that would be v welcome!
Take care.xx
Hey Nellby73
It’s so weird isn’t it?!! My eyedropsae Ocufresh Lubricating Eyedrops - the oncology nurse said that other people have found over the counter eyedrops better. They haven’t cured the issue by any means but they do give me a break from the constant streaming and blurriness.
How have your joints been? Mine are shocking and hobble around for a while before I can resemble a normal-ish walk! I also have nausea, that I didn’t get before (possibly due to all the premeds), headaches and can’t sleep!
It came on so suddenly too. I’m not 100% convinced it’s the Kadcyla, as I also started Zoladex and Letrozole at the same time. I guess only time will tell.
I’m having cycle 5 next week and I’m finding it a bit of a struggle since I had radiotherapy and cycle 3 in the same week. The fatigue is high and my blood levels seem to be causing breathlessness and weakness. I feel achy and rough for the first few days but then it passes and I’m just left with extreme fatigue and breathlessness. It was better before the radiotherapy so I’m assuming some of it is that on top, and I’m hoping as I recover from that, my body will cope better with Kadcyla again. Fingers crossed.
Definitely give the heated eye mask a go as I feel it has really made a difference to the blurriness. I use it 3x a day for 5 mins at a time.
xx