Herceptin and shortness of breath

[gqmom]

Has anyone else experienced shortness of breath while on Herceptin? I just had a MUGA last week and it was fine....

[Jackie07]

Evebarry just posted this on her thread:

I felt better when I read on this website http://www.cancernet.co.uk/herceptin.htm


that side effects can include more than what I thought were normal herceptin side effects...maybe I'm not just making up what I'm going through...it's real.

• Fever and sweating
• Runny nose
• Chills
• Skin flushing - redness
• Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing
• Discomfort in the throat
• Agitation

If associated with a fast pulse and lower blood pressure these symptoms indicate an early allergic reaction. As mentioned above if these symptoms are prominent the infusion has to be slowed down or abandoned altogether. To avoid a mild reaction often paracetamol and an antihistamine are given before the infusion.


The ongoing effects may occur at any time whilst you are receiving Herceptin. These are usually worse a day or two after the infusion and could include:-

• Weakness, lethargy or tiredness
• Headache
• Sore eyes
• Joint pains
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes
• Shortness of breath on exertion

These are the side effects (just 1 treatment so far), I'm experiencing of the list.
Fatigue
Shortness of breath on exertion
Nausea
Headache
Tightness in the chest
Little Agitation (not much, probably because I'm always tired).
Also, when standing, heart rate goes way up...(I usually have a lower heart rate).

[7andcounting]

Talk about a timely question! I just returned from having a breathing test. My test score was very low which was concerning. Now I'm wondering if this is due to the Herceptin. Now I know to ask my onc when I see him this week.

I have shortness of breath...I only notice this when climbing stairs and I have had a cough for awhile. I have been on Herceptin for 2 years.

[Jean]

Yes, side effects from herceptin can cause shortness of breath. When I was on herceptin I would feel the shortness when I went up the stairs. But my recovery was fairly soon within a 5 min. time frame. It is unsettling to have that happen. If you are having long periods of shortness of breath do not ignore.

Best Wishes,
Jean

[7andcounting]

Thanks Jean,

Yes, I feel my recovery is quick, but the breathing test was alarming. The tech giving the test left to call my pulminologist and I was told to get back in to the pulminolgist to figure out what is causing this. I have a blood test on Fri., to test for Asthma. I am thinking the culprit is Herceptin, but I will know more after this test. I so apprectiate this site. I was a bit freaked out after this test today, but then realized there might be another answer. I look forward to getting this sorted out.

Thanks!!

[chekmark]

I would would get a heavy feeling in my chest when they would administer the herceptin, shortness of breath, then it would stop and I would be OK.