I just wondered if anyone has experienced palpitations/feeling of a fast heartbeat whilst on chemo. These started yesterday (2 1/2 weeks since last chemo) and got worse last night, I couldn’t sleep so went to A & E, bloods fine and ECG okay but I have still them and my next chemo could be delayed now if they want to do further tests. Now waiting for nurse to call me once she has spoken to the oncologist. I know you can get them every now and then but I have had them for 24 hours now.
I have had both fast and what I would call pounding ( like really big thumps) I mentioned it to my onc and gp. They were not too bothered. On this cycle day 4 and 5 i woke up through the night feeling like I couldn’t breath well and my heart was pounding. I has not really happened since- am on day 7 now. Am seeing the onc on Monday and plan to mention it again. A few others on chemo have mentioned palpitations before. Would be interested to know what you bcn says. Let us know. Debx
Hi,
Just popping in to wish Carol, Vickie and Julie good luck for tomorrow, hope all goes smoothly, with few s/e.
Vickie, Really hope you have an easier time with TAX 2
Kirsty, hope all went well for you yesterday
Love
Sandra xxx
The nurse has called me back to say she had spoken to the stand in onc because my onc is on holiday until Monday and she wants to delay the chemo and see my onc on his return next Monday. She thinks he will want to do some further test such as a heart scan before the next chemo. She feels they are being over cautious but doxorubicin (one of the chemo drugs I am taking) can cause heart failure, very rare albeit). I am really worried now as I am still have the palpitations from time to time. Obviously if they get worse I will go back to A & E and they may do further tests before I see my onc. I haven’t had any difficulty breathing. How long did yours last for?
It’s hard to tell as my awareness of them comes and goes. I may also me more aware of them because I have a history of fast heart rates when I have anaesthetics. The docs are aware of it but never seem too bothered and was even sent home from hosp after my op with a rapid heart rate. It did settle eventually but it was a few days. On chemo I noticed it on day 4 of the first cycle and this time it was through the night day 5/6 I think . When I mentioned it to the gp on tues he just said it was chemo. I don’t have it at the moment so I am assuming it is not permanent. Do you still have it now- how long has it gone on for. I am going to mention it again to the onc on monday. Sorry you have this extra worry. Debx
Amanda/Deb - I have also had pounding heart, most noticeable when I am in bed, but lessens with time (now day 7 after Fec number 3 and no pounding last night. My heart rate is normal (70ish) but the pounding is like an extra heavy heart beat in the centre of my chest. My onc nurse was also not concerned, comes with chemo apparently & not to worry unless heart rate increases over 90 at rest. This may or may not help, but certainly better to be safe than sorry before the next chemo. Did you hgave a MUGA scan before chemo? My onc said it was routine at beginning and end of chemo because heart can be (temporarily) affected by drugs.
Thanks for that. My gp didn’t seem bothered the other day. But you are never too sure what they know about it all. He said it was the chemo. Cheers debx
Well I’m back, I’ve been having a week of “can’t be arsed”, I’m afraid so didn’t wind up the computer and come online!
Definitely feeling more tired this time (second FEC was 2 weeks ago), but acid indigestion wasn’t as bad and mouth ulcers are slightly better under control. However, have noticed change in colour to one of my nails, my right arm hurts (only had chemo into the vein for the first time, on 18 June) and my left arm gets pins and needles.
Bennyboo, the portacath sits under the skin of the chest, a Hickman line dangles out of the arm. I’m glad I’ve got the portacath even though I haven’t dared take the dressings off yet because I’m squeamish and the thought of it sitting there does make me feel slightly queasy when I think about it! It feels like a small bump under the skin, that’s all, about the size of a pound coin.
Julie and anyone else who asked - I have acupuncture to boost my general health, not for anything specific, but it’s been quite good at calming down upset stomachs/acid indigestion, and is supposedly good for nausea but I’ve not had much of a problem with that.
Midge and Amanda - I’ve had a problem with palpitations this cycle, not so much on the first one. I had them very badly when they were fitting the portacath before FEC 2, so much so they couldn’t put the catheter bit in as far as they wanted. Since then, for about 4 or 5 days after the chemo, I had that fast heartrate/thumpy chest feeling but it’s calmed down. But to be honest I’m such a worrier and an anxious bunny that I get random palpitations a lot, so although I’ll mention it next chemo session, I’m not worrying about it too much!
OMG! ANother unexpected SE!!! Have had increasing problems with a very sore, red and swollen left upper arm for past few days. It has got so bad I can’t straighten my elbow - saw onc who said severe phlebitis and given be antibiotics, Voltarol and anti-inflammatory cream. As if all the usual chemo SE’s aren’t bad enough, this too!
Finding ti hard to drive, can’t carry or lift anything with that arm but onc says will swap to the other arm next cycle (x3 FEC into left arm so far).
I know this is the place to get extra reasurrance that someone out there has had/is having this too and it gets better…anyone?
Hi Sal,
sorry to hear about the phlebitis…I have had a hickmsn line out in because my veins were so painful during chemo and after and the chemo nurse said the pain I had was phlebitis. That was 4 weeks ago and I am still having strong vein pain now. Hope it doesn’t develop into as bad as yours seems to be, I will keep an eye on things.
Hope the meds work for you and you get to be pain free very soon as I know from my mild pain that it’s no laughing matter.
Sorry can’t be more help
Hugs Suze xx
I’ve had two FEC in right arm and got phlebitis this tome, not as bad as yours, just sore and very tight. They’ve told me to take Ibuprofen to get the swelling to reduce and to massage the veins - hurts like a b**stard though!!
My chemo nurse said veins won’t stand up to much more so they offered a PICC but I’ve got a bit of a phobia about having leads hanging out of me and had a bit of a meltdown so they said I can have a port, just waiting for the details to come through.
Mine is no where as bad as yours but the chemo nurse did tell me that it would definately calm down so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hope the antibiotics work and that you feel better soon.
Mrs Sloth - Thanks for info on Port after you mentioned it I googled it and it seems much more up my street as felt v weird about hickman or PICC. Cheers for the heads up it’s helped me decide what to do as my veins are shot!!
Ta Joxx
Sal sorry about your phlebitis. That explains the pain in my arm. It kind of feels like cording but more stingy when I stretch it. Will try to massage it. Am starting to think I am going to have nausea the whole way through this cycle. My little girl has come down with a sickness bug too. Guess I will be picking that up too. Can’t wait.
Take care. It’s amazing how much you learn from everyones experiences. Thanks debx
Hi Ladies, l hope you ladies having problems with the palpitations are finding them a bit easier, sounds rubbish!
Just had my 3rd FEC, so now my first TAX will be on Friday the 13th!!
Sal, your phlebitis sounds awful, hope the antibiotics soon get to work.
Deb, do you think you have it too? l told the nurse today that l have pains in my arm from the elbow to the wrist, she said it is common with the ‘E’ told me to put a warm hot water bottle on it!
Hopefully it will go by the time l am on TAX.
Sandra I def have a sore arm. When I straighten it, it feels tight and stings. It is from my wrist to my elbow. My chemo nurse said that E was nasty on the veins.
Ok I may regret asking this question but does anybody feel sick the whole way through a cycle of fec? It is day 10 now and still feel sick. Am wondering if that is it sick til the next one.
Wishing you lots of good days. Debx
Tanks for the reassurance ladies - so good to hear I am not unusual and that it does get better and even there is an alternative if the veins won’t stand any more. That’s the beauty of this site, so many of us in the same boat getting the same stuff and all getting through…
Thank goodness Voltarol and antibiotics starting to work…arm less sore, less red but still wont straighten (2 out of 3 not bad!). Hoping to get away to West Wales for a few days change of scene on SUnday, so hoping it will improve enough for the drive…
Hi Deb, does your arm also hurt when you rub you hand over it, mine does, might try a warm hot water bottle later, anything is worth a try.
I was concerned when l first started having chemo, because l have always been quite a sickly person, being driven in a car, and pregnancy! so l thought l was going to be in for a rough time, but thankfully l only have the sickness feeling for the first three days, after that l don’t take any tablets, still feel a little sickly, but not enough to take anything.
My friend has just started her first TAX and all through her FEC she felt sick, they changed her tablets around but it never helped much. Not much help to you is it? sorry about that, but it is worth mentioning it to them on your 3rd FEC, l am sure they can give you something different.
Sal, Are you ok to drive? have you been told to put anything warm on your arm? supposed to help, will let you know, although mine is no where as bad as yours.
Good Luck with the driving, don’t over do it. and enjoy your days away
Carol, Vickie, Julie, Kirsty, hope you are all getting by, with your s/e. nearly there!
Love
Sandra xxx
As far as putting something warm on the arm - that was suggested as a preventative while having the chemo - wrapped the arm in a heated blanket throughout the last session but clearly it made no difference. I have found a cold pack on the sore area takes some of the throbbing away and heat makes no difference, so I guess that try once you have the phlebitis, use heat or cold to make it feel better, whichever works for you…
I attempted to start a thread for anyone starting treatment July/Aug as I’ve just had my first AC, but there aren’t many takers! So I wonder if it’s ok to join you here? Sandra said I could!!
Hope that’s alright, it’s good to be able to make light and share worries. I’m having 4xAC then a break for about 8/10 weeks while I recover then give birth, then 4xTAX.
Can’t complain about SE at all - so far the worst has been the steroids which made me go slightly mad yesterday and this morning. OH got out of the way quick when I snatched the hoover from him, brandished it and insisted I was up to doing it myself. Bizarre, that wouldn’t happen on a normal day!
Has anyone had delayed side effects? Daughter’s with my sister and I’m wondering if I’ll be well enough to have her back tomorrow.
Jane
You will be welcomed with open arms, especially with that little one of yours! what a beauty she is! oh and her mum!
Difficult to say how you will feel, perhaps she can come home for a few hours and see how you feel. I am sure the younger ones will come on and tell you how they feel and managed, easy for a grandma to talk!! Lol
Love
Sandra xxx