I wrote this on the heart board but maybe some one on this site might be able to help.Heart problems after Chemo (Taxol and carboplatian).My husband had lung cancer (non smoker)last may and they took his upper right lobe out he also chose CHEMO after just in case they didn't get it all. They did and he is for now cancer free. The last few months he has had many PVC's more so then before the surgery and his pulmonolgist said that he also has tacacardia. sp. He will be seeing a heart doc thurs and I didn't think that PVC's were dangerious. He has this thought in his mind that he will be needing by pass surgery because the pvc's are signs of a blockage. I say no they are not but I could be wrong. His colesteral leval is 186. Need I worry.Has anyone had this or any other heart problems after Chemo?

Hi, I don't have PVCs but do have an elevated heart rate quite often. The highest has been 120. My oncologist told me not to worry if it isn't any higher than that very often. I sometimes wonder just how much damage might have been done by the chemo and radiation and then I have to remind myself I am still alive right now because of the chemo and radiation. It is good that your husband is seeing a heart doctor. My thoughts are it is better to be safe than sorry. It is great news that he is cancer-free. God bless and take good care of yourselves.

HI there... My Dad has NSCLC III B and completed his last "series" of chemo when he had an episode at home where he passed out. My mom called 911 and they determined that he was having a heart attack. Long story short, he had to have bypass surgery, but they ended up STENTING his arteries instead. I have asked and suspected all along that the 2 conditions (heart and Chemo) were related but everyone has assured me otherwise. Now seeing this your posting, I believe they are. Talk about stress... you are so worried about your loved one for the Lung Cancer and the heart issues practically throw you over the edge.
My dad's heart is stable now, but no surgeon will touch him for at least 4 months and his oncologist was trying to get him to be a surgical candidate. So now he is receiving Chemo (Taxol and Paralatin) and Radiation simultaneously. Now I am worried the heart issue will pop up again.

Thank you for making me realize I am not crazy...

Hep

Hep I am sorry what you dad is going through. My husband also had nsclc but he was lucky that he could have the surgery. His tumor was almost 10 cm and the first surgeon we saw said he didn't think that it could be operated on. We then went to another surgeon at a cancer center who said he could do it. They never staged him but said he was maybe a three due to the size. After his surgery the staged him at one b.We have also been told that the Chemo does not affect the heart but when we saw the heart Doc he said it could. My husband will have a monitar put on tues and on Thurs will have a Chemical Stress test since he has asthma and part of his lung removed they fell that a regular stress test he would not be able to complete.Two weeks he will then have an ECG.So I quess we will find out then.

I just read your posting and wanted to share with you my husband's experience...my husband has SCLC (also a nonsmoker like your husband) and we went to Texas to an alternative for his cancer treatment and they needed to do an echo on his heart. The results were perfect and nothing wrong with his heart. He then began chemo in June and on July 19th was in the ER for a blood clot and his heart was having I guess what you are referring to as PVC's. They had asked if he ever had a heart problem and we mentioned that he had just had an echo a month before and it was perfect. The doctor mentioned it can mess with your heart and cause problems. I think each person is different and how their body repsonds. Anyway, wanted to share this with you. I think it is absolutely wonderful that your husband is cancer free! I hope and pray for that day for my husband and the others on this posting board.
Kim

Thank you Kim for your info. I also pray that one day all on this board is Cancer free. I say Cancer free only because his last PET and CAT scan showed NED.We have to do this every three months for two years and then scans every 6 mos but for now he is cancer Free.
I really do wish that ONC would state when asked if Chemo could cause any heart damage but I guess some want to not inform their patients. My husband knows his body and he knew that something might be wrong but it took three doctors to have one say Chemo could cause some damage. Not that we wouldn't have done Chemo since I feel that Chemo after surgery even if they say they got everything adds extra protection.
Lorrie

My husband had the Chemical stress test today and the doc didn't like what he saw. He said that he thinks he had a heart attack sometime ago and he also might have a blockage.He has us going to the hospital tomorrow and have a cardiac cath to see whats up. I do know that before the lung surgery he had a great ekg and a great one a few days after. Mybe it is Chemo then again maybe not. I would really like them to do a study on this.

Good luck with the testing. I will be thinking of you. It is almost too much to handle to have both Lung CA and Heart issues happening at once. I have been there and will be waiting for your update! I would love to see a study done on this.

My dad is back in Chemo and Radiation now... it is like we sit waiting for the next obstacle.

Take Care!

hep

Good luck with the testing. I will be thinking of you. It is almost too much to handle to have both Lung CA and Heart issues happening at once. I have been there and will be waiting for your update! I would love to see a study done on this.

My dad is back in Chemo and Radiation now... it is like we sit waiting for the next obstacle.

Take Care!

hep




My husband had the Cardiac catheder procedure and everything looks great Hep. We see the doctor on monday and then we are going on a vacation. We then will do the Echo and go from there. I agree with you about
waiting for the next obstacle but we all pray for no more obstacles right.Good luck to your dad and hang in there.
Lorrie

That is great news!! Enjoy your vacation.

One more thing to share... My MIL had to have Carotid Artery Stenting on Friday. She does not hac Lung CA, but does smoke. This was a main cause of her Blockages. My dad was also a smoker for 49 years (quit with dx of Lung CA in Nov.) I know many, many people DO NOT smoke and still get Lung Ca. My MIL does not have a single plan to quit smoking. I know I should not judge as I have never had that addiction, however, my family is really suffering right now on all ends from the effects of smoking. I only pray that my 5 year old and 2 year old will never have to encounter these same problems when they get my age.

Have a great vacation and relax! We go in June and I can not wait!!

Lorrie,
That is great all is okay with the tests and you are going on vacation...enjoy and relax....keep us updated.
Kim

[QUOTE=Kimslos]Lorrie,
That is great all is okay with the tests and you are going on vacation...enjoy and relax....keep us updated.
Kim[/QUOTe

We had a great time and we are going back (husband has another work related trip there)So I get to see the Grandkids again in June.Since we moved cross country two years ago we both miss our grand kids since we had always lived within`30 min from them.
Gary had his ECG when we got home and that looks great also. The only problem when we reviewed the tests a few days ago with his doc is that the 24 hr monitar showed that he had 2500 episodes with 3000 or more PVC'S in each. The doc said not to worry since the ECG and all other test look great so his heart should not be hurt. he will see us in three months. So we go to the ONC and scans every three months and now this in three months. Thank goodness for boards like this so I can let it out and not show my husband how worried I am at times.
Lorrie

I was reading your note and the following threads and just wanted to mention that my father is experiencing similar effects from his chemo. He has been on 2 different chemos for about 8 months now and is having difficulty breathing during simple tasks like getting up from a chair and walking from the car to a store. He was diagnosed with Stage IV LC in November and has been doing relatively well until now on his treatments. I'm worried that the chemo is doing damage to his heart because his pulmonologist says this is not related to his lungs...or at least that his lungs are clear.

I'll know more after he sees a cardiologist this week. I'll post more info if I have any. It's definitely something to consider based on the limited feedback to your post.

Lorriem...
Hi there... I am glad you had a nice vacation. What will they be doing about the PVC's? My dad is at the end of a concurrent Radiation/Chemo therapy that has lasted 6 weeks. Once again his BP is fluctuating greatly. This occured last time when he was dx with the bloackages and needed stenting. Now, I realize it can't be the same thing as before, but I feel like this is the start of more heart/venous problems. He is going back to the heart specialist tomorrow and hopefully they can get it straightened out. His BP was something like 68/42 one day and then 200/117 the next.

Once again, I would really like to see a study on this. Is your dad a diabetic? My dad is and has had no issues with his blood sugar (one positive).

My vacation is in 19 days (not that I am counting or anything :) )

Hep

Lorriem...
Hi there... I am glad you had a nice vacation. What will they be doing about the PVC's? My dad is at the end of a concurrent Radiation/Chemo therapy that has lasted 6 weeks. Once again his BP is fluctuating greatly. This occured last time when he was dx with the bloackages and needed stenting. Now, I realize it can't be the same thing as before, but I feel like this is the start of more heart/venous problems. He is going back to the heart specialist tomorrow and hopefully they can get it straightened out. His BP was something like 68/42 one day and then 200/117 the next.

Once again, I would really like to see a study on this. Is your dad a diabetic? My dad is and has had no issues with his blood sugar (one positive).

My vacation is in 19 days (not that I am counting or anything :) )

Hep

Hep I hope all went well with your dad at the heart doctor. His BP is high but I am sure his doctor will give him all the tests he needs. My Husband does not have high BP but the PVC's was causing him great concern. The Doctor after all the tests said yes he had more PVC's per day then he had see. any of his other patients had but after all the tests My husbands heart is in great condition and the PVC's shouldn't hurt him. He did double the calicum blocker that he was on and that seems to help. Again good luck to your dad and you have a great vacation.We will also be going back to Ca again in two weeks. Hubby has to go to SF for his job and I will see the grandkids again. We lived in Ca for 29 years and to us it is home still.
I would also like to see a study done and when my husband sees his ONC in June after his Scan we will once again ask him whats up with this PVC thing.
Lorrie