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What Causes Chest Pain, Numbness In Arms And Fatigue While On Vincristine?
Question: I appreciate you responding.
I was told the chemo treatment I had might of damaged my heart before, my oncologist said that Vincrisine and I do not recall the name of the other treatment doesn't cause heart problems, yet I have been lied to and misdiagnosed several times. I walked out of both ER's in my town with the rapidly growing Medulloblastoma in my head, because they either thought it was migraines or did CT scans instead of an MRI that they know hide tumors, because of my insurance I believe. I recently tried Atenolol twice daily at 25 mg. I felt it worked just never not long enough. I started with only a half pill a day when all of this started, which did nothing. I take now Acebutolol 200 mg. 4 times daily now. After the dose was upped from 2 times to 4. I seen a bigger improvement. Almost no palpatations and when I got chest pain from walking I could sit down and it would go away. Once and a while it would not and get worse as soon as I got up and started walking. I was given a Nitroglycerin prescription and everytime I get the pain that won't let up I take one and with in a few minutes I feel much better. I rather the small headache than the chest pain. Now I don't get a headache and it just disappears. It is just these last few days. Yesterday walking with my friend to the store 5 minutes away and back to my apartment was terrible, the wind was blowing and it was cold which made me need to take a Nitro. Then getting inside and walking up the stairs started it back up. My friend said I looked pale and sweaty and she wanted to call 911. I begged her not to because I knew they were going to say my heart is fine. This morning it went from a slight pain in my chest to me having to lie down after climbing the stairs again. My heart was not just racing like as usual, it was flopping around and sometimes felt like it skipping or not beating enough NEVER happened before. I was extremely hot and weak and my left arm and shoulders started aching just like my chest, NEVER happened before!! I took a Nitro and went back to sleep. I've been in bed for hours since then, getting up only when I need to. I think I've had every test except a stress test, which my cardiologist says he know I will fail yet he is unable to find anything or explain anything but the P.O.T.S. I still am not sure if they are missing some heart problem or not. My PC was convinced it was anxiety, but it doesn't not explain why I can't walk up stairs, work full time, walk down the street, or do laundry without being exhausted or feeling like someone is sitting on my chest and squeezing my heart. I'm 23 years old!! I used to be a lot more hardworking and active. I've been avoiding things I need and want to do NOT because I am having anxiety but bc I physically can't do it without pain, weakness, and exhaustion WHICH gives me anxiety because before all of this I was hard working and active. This is just one of the EKGS that the doctor called "crappy". I honestly don't have anymore documents or tests in reach. I'd have to do a lot of searching which probably will cause me to start having bad pains again. I could tell because my arm is starting to hurt and tingle and having that same slight pain in my chest again as I am finishing the typing all of this on my phone.
ANY other outside insight, suggestions, and or things you think I should do is helpful. I apologize for such an EXTREMELY long post.
Thanks!!
I was told the chemo treatment I had might of damaged my heart before, my oncologist said that Vincrisine and I do not recall the name of the other treatment doesn't cause heart problems, yet I have been lied to and misdiagnosed several times. I walked out of both ER's in my town with the rapidly growing Medulloblastoma in my head, because they either thought it was migraines or did CT scans instead of an MRI that they know hide tumors, because of my insurance I believe. I recently tried Atenolol twice daily at 25 mg. I felt it worked just never not long enough. I started with only a half pill a day when all of this started, which did nothing. I take now Acebutolol 200 mg. 4 times daily now. After the dose was upped from 2 times to 4. I seen a bigger improvement. Almost no palpatations and when I got chest pain from walking I could sit down and it would go away. Once and a while it would not and get worse as soon as I got up and started walking. I was given a Nitroglycerin prescription and everytime I get the pain that won't let up I take one and with in a few minutes I feel much better. I rather the small headache than the chest pain. Now I don't get a headache and it just disappears. It is just these last few days. Yesterday walking with my friend to the store 5 minutes away and back to my apartment was terrible, the wind was blowing and it was cold which made me need to take a Nitro. Then getting inside and walking up the stairs started it back up. My friend said I looked pale and sweaty and she wanted to call 911. I begged her not to because I knew they were going to say my heart is fine. This morning it went from a slight pain in my chest to me having to lie down after climbing the stairs again. My heart was not just racing like as usual, it was flopping around and sometimes felt like it skipping or not beating enough NEVER happened before. I was extremely hot and weak and my left arm and shoulders started aching just like my chest, NEVER happened before!! I took a Nitro and went back to sleep. I've been in bed for hours since then, getting up only when I need to. I think I've had every test except a stress test, which my cardiologist says he know I will fail yet he is unable to find anything or explain anything but the P.O.T.S. I still am not sure if they are missing some heart problem or not. My PC was convinced it was anxiety, but it doesn't not explain why I can't walk up stairs, work full time, walk down the street, or do laundry without being exhausted or feeling like someone is sitting on my chest and squeezing my heart. I'm 23 years old!! I used to be a lot more hardworking and active. I've been avoiding things I need and want to do NOT because I am having anxiety but bc I physically can't do it without pain, weakness, and exhaustion WHICH gives me anxiety because before all of this I was hard working and active. This is just one of the EKGS that the doctor called "crappy". I honestly don't have anymore documents or tests in reach. I'd have to do a lot of searching which probably will cause me to start having bad pains again. I could tell because my arm is starting to hurt and tingle and having that same slight pain in my chest again as I am finishing the typing all of this on my phone.
ANY other outside insight, suggestions, and or things you think I should do is helpful. I apologize for such an EXTREMELY long post.
Thanks!!
Brief Answer:
Do read the detailed information. Regards
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
I will be enumerate my observations.
1) Vincristine itself can cause cardio toxicity which we just discussed in the previous post
2) Vincristine is also known to cause a lot of peripheral neuropathy ie. Weakening of nerves which may be the cause of numbness and tingling you feel , and you may miss classify it into cardiac origin .
3) Generally a 2 D Echo cardiography is good enough to rule out cardiac toxicity , however there may be misfiring by heart in spite of it being normal .
Cardiac MRI Is best in the circumstances as if there is any damage to the heart it's wiser to start on medications which may strengthen the heart like ace inhibitors / arb group apart from beta blockers like ate no lol.
4) considering you don't have cardiac issues , POTS can also cause all the symptoms you describe , most patients have chronic fatigue syndrome which may explain all the weakness
5) The nitro causes dilatation of all vessels in the body including that of brain causing headache .
Though with longer use it disappear in most patient .
The cause of headache is mostly nitro in your cause . Though a review with a neurologist for any recurrence if headache persists for long .
6)artenolol and acebutalol are rather shorter acting drugs , like it works for 4-6 hours causing in between palpitation.
I advice longer acting preparations which can be taken for once a day like metopolol extended release or bisoprolol.
7) with all nitro and beta blocker you are taking keep a tab on your blood pressure and lower pressure may cause all weakness you are facing.
8) At 23 years if all fine you can surely have a stress test it will give us an idea of how mush you can exercise or exert without pain and help you with rehabilitation. However it's not important at present
9) anxiety and psychological issues is a problem post brain radiation , so stay calm and stay strong , you are a fighter.
P.s : you are allowed to reply in the same conversation to avoid paying again .
Next you may directly send me a query through HCM.
Do rate the conversation for other ppls reference.
Hoping I could help .
Regards Dr Mody
Do read the detailed information. Regards
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
I will be enumerate my observations.
1) Vincristine itself can cause cardio toxicity which we just discussed in the previous post
2) Vincristine is also known to cause a lot of peripheral neuropathy ie. Weakening of nerves which may be the cause of numbness and tingling you feel , and you may miss classify it into cardiac origin .
3) Generally a 2 D Echo cardiography is good enough to rule out cardiac toxicity , however there may be misfiring by heart in spite of it being normal .
Cardiac MRI Is best in the circumstances as if there is any damage to the heart it's wiser to start on medications which may strengthen the heart like ace inhibitors / arb group apart from beta blockers like ate no lol.
4) considering you don't have cardiac issues , POTS can also cause all the symptoms you describe , most patients have chronic fatigue syndrome which may explain all the weakness
5) The nitro causes dilatation of all vessels in the body including that of brain causing headache .
Though with longer use it disappear in most patient .
The cause of headache is mostly nitro in your cause . Though a review with a neurologist for any recurrence if headache persists for long .
6)artenolol and acebutalol are rather shorter acting drugs , like it works for 4-6 hours causing in between palpitation.
I advice longer acting preparations which can be taken for once a day like metopolol extended release or bisoprolol.
7) with all nitro and beta blocker you are taking keep a tab on your blood pressure and lower pressure may cause all weakness you are facing.
8) At 23 years if all fine you can surely have a stress test it will give us an idea of how mush you can exercise or exert without pain and help you with rehabilitation. However it's not important at present
9) anxiety and psychological issues is a problem post brain radiation , so stay calm and stay strong , you are a fighter.
P.s : you are allowed to reply in the same conversation to avoid paying again .
Next you may directly send me a query through HCM.
Do rate the conversation for other ppls reference.
Hoping I could help .
Regards Dr Mody
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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