feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

my right foot is so swollen. I have never had a problem with any type of swelling. I got my first 3 week dose of herceptin today. I wonder if the taxotere problems with my toenails could have made it swell or it herceptin could have made it worse.
I remember when my mom had her feet to swell the doctor said she was maintaining water around her heart and when that happens, the fluid can drain to your feet and legs. any one know any thing on this?

i have minor lymphedema in my left arm. never had any problems with it for months and now my arm is getting thick. i put the sleeve on and been wearing itdaily. my knuckles, which are not covered by sleeve or glove is all swollen and puffy. i had to take off all my rings. my toes and fingers are tingling too. numb at times, especially my fingers.
jsut wondering if anyone has had any experience with this type of swelling and numbness. i was so excited today to get herceptin and no more chemo. i still am excited but concerned about this swelling in my foot and lower leg.
thanks!!

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

Hi Candlegranny,

I have'nt had this myself, but it may worth mentioning it to your onc or chemo nurse's, they may refer you to another specialist to check this out.
I did'nt have this on herceptin so not sure what it can be, if it does'nt subside I'd make the call though!

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

Candlegranny,

I was half way through chemo when I experienced 'swollen knees' after my 'walking' exercise. My oncologist did not say anything. I naturally cut down my exercise and tried to stay still more so there wouldn't be more fluid cumulating in that area.

After chemo was complete, I was given 'weekly' Herceptin until the MUGA score showed continued decline. So I had to be taken off Herceptin at 22 weeks (18 weeks combined chemo and 4 weekly Herceptin.)

The fluid gets cumulated in the tissue when our heart is too weak to pump the fluid back.

I've heard that the tingling is more related to the Taxane stuff because it affects the nerve endings.

I wear my compression sleeve and glove daily for at least 8 hours - and any time when I'm doing anything strenuous. Do a 'lymphedema' search and you'll find some of the discussions previously posted on how to manage lympedema.

Hope you are feeling/getting better. Don't forget to talk to your doctor/nurse/lymphedema therapist about those problems.

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

Candlegranny,

I have skinny legs but my ankles became "cankles". I went back to see when that was. Turns out it was during Taxol. My heart was fine but my ankles were huge.

I am sorry about your discomfort.

Hang in there!

Maureen

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

thank you Maureen and everyone. I will see lymphendma therapist in the morning, My onc told me to wait and see what she determines. I would gladly welcome this as a side effect of taxotere :-) I have had alot of side effects from taxotere, all I could overcome I am glad to say. It will be alot easier to deal with once we find out what is causing it. My oncologist said my MUGA was perfect so hopefully it is not my heart and i can continue herceptin. Bonita

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

Hello,
ask you onc and nurses about it. I had very swollen feet during chemo (Taxol) also taking Herceptin but neither my onc nor nurses were concerned!!! I slept with many pillows under my feet so that they were raised high above my heart - my decision no one told me to do that but just seemed to make sense to me. Like you I wondered about heart but I'm still here 6 years later so...... I also had fluid in the lungs which I wondered about but.... no worries from the pros!!! lol!!! Just grateful to still be enjoying things.
Ask questions, get answers,
health and happiness
sarah

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

Peripheral Edema is a side effect of Herceptin: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/herceptin-side-effects.html

My onc advised me of this possibility prior to my tx. Thankfully, I did not experience it. I suggest you discuss it with him or his nurse.

Best of luck to you,

Hopeful

Re: feet swelling..can it be from herceptin and heart?
 

My left ankle swelled huge after my first dose of Herceptin and my alarmed onc sent me on a lengthy wild goose-chase to check there was no clot and that my heart ejection was fine. All was fine. The same swelling has happened (generally to both ankles) soon after every dose of Herceptin. I've heard many ladies report the same thing. But every MUGA scan has come back normal for me. So it's probably no cause for alarm for you either!

All the best to you!
Lucy