How can I get the oncologist to own up to possible long term damage done during my 2nd round of chemo?

Question

I had a reaction that caused tightening in my chest, pain in my chest & had a hard time breathing. I still have remnants of the chest pain over a month later & my heart races. The nurses said they were "pushing the drugs faster than last time & some have a reastion to this"??

Answer 1

You aren't going to want to hear this but the truth of the matter is that this situation probably had nothing to do with the fact that the drug was pushed "faster than last time". No one knows why some people react differently to medication than other people. Reactions happen and it is due to your body's reponse...not to anything the doctor or nurses did. Your reaction sounds more like a sensitivity to the drug than to how it was delivered. The first dose is always given very slow as you are being observed for an anaphyllactic response. The second dose is given somewhat faster. Reactions to oncology drugs often occur after the second administration since the first one sets up the sensitivity in your body. I suggest you let the oncologist know that you are are still having problems since you may require some treatment to alleviate the sensitivity response you are experiencing. Also, your oncologist may find it necessary to switch to a different oncology drug if this is deemed to be a sensitivity or allergic response.

Answer 2

Not sure I understand. I have been through chemo before. Do you know how long it takes for that POISON to get out of your body? If you are still feeling bad a month afterwards, that is understandable. I felt bad for 6 months after it was all over. How do you know you have "long term" damage? Who made that diagnosis? And what IS the diagnosis? Was it the same type of chemo, something different, what are they saying caused the chest pain and elevated heart rate? "Pushing" the drugs faster? Never heard of such a thing. I would go see a cardiologist and have them find out if there is damage or if this is just a side effect of the second round. I was MUCH sicker during and after my second round than the first. After a while, all of the chemo problems went away.