Severe vertigo/dizziness with Abiraterone !!

[whatsinaname]

As some of you guys know, I began Abiraterone a couple of days back. For the first time ever. And, boy, was I hit !!! The dizziness was unbearable.

The first day, I took the tablets (2x500mg) early morning at 6 am. I was zapped for a long time after that. Mainly, dazed and giddy. Since things were pretty bad, I decided to take the tablets on the second day at 9.30 pm after finishing dinner by 7.15 pm. I slept well but when I woke up to go to the toilet, the severe dizziness came on in full force. This continued for a while, I then took a Vertin 8 mg, meant for Vertigo. In about a couple of hours, things improved a bit and I am now here typing out this post.

Now my question : Is this a normal reaction with Abiraterone ?? If yes, for how many days does this reaction usually last ??

Many thanks guys for any help that you can offer. I am most grateful, as always.

[cesanon]

Can't you substitute a different equivalent to Zytiga/Abiraterone?

[whatsinaname in reply to cesanon]

I spoke to my MO (the female) and she advised me to cut the dose in half for today ie take one tablet of 500 mg instead of 2 tablets of 500 mg. If I still get severe vertigo, then to stop completely and meet her on Monday, 11th March, 2019. Otherwise, to continue with 1 tablet of 500 mg till I meet her and then she would take a call as to what I should do.

She said that this reaction is not common but does happen in extreme cases. It could be good because the tablets are working, but too strongly.

Lets see how it goes. Anyone with any other views ??? Thank you in advance.

[Mkeman in reply to whatsinaname]

I have been on Zytiga for 14 months and have not experienced dizziness or vertigo. Only fatigue

On occasion. Perhaps the reaction iqs being caused by the prednisone.

[whatsinaname in reply to Mkeman]

Well, I have taken Prednisone earlier and it did not have any such effect on me at the time. Thanks, Mkeman.

[Hidden in reply to whatsinaname]

Maybe it’s the combo?

[whatsinaname in reply to Hidden]

I don't think so. But, I will check with my MO on Monday.

[Hirsch in reply to whatsinaname]

Good idea to reduce dose. Taking it on empty stomach?

[whatsinaname in reply to Hirsch]

Hi Hirsch,

Yes, the idea to reduce the dose was an excellent one. But, if my problem is a ear problem (now almost certain), then I think it was not Abiraterone that caused the giddiness/vertigo.

Thank you for everything.

[PGDuan]

I don't know if it is normal as my side effects were not nearly so bad. I felt a little dizziness and other side effects when I first started in November. Even fell in the shower once --- something I've never done before. My liver enzymes went up for the first few weeks, but then it seems like my body adjusted and the side effects are much reduced. I don't have dizziness anymore, and the hot flashes and toxic feeling have away. My doctor did reduce my prednisone from the original 10 mg to only 5 mg each day and that seemed to help. I also found that taking the pills around 4am while up for the bathroom was a good trick.

Perhaps stay on it a little longer but as always check with your MD too?

Hope this helps - the drug seems to be working as my psa has been <0.01 since starting (although I've had other treatments at play at the same time).

[whatsinaname in reply to PGDuan]

Thank you very much, PGDuan, that was very helpful.

Cheers and all the very best to you.

[JamesAtlanta]

I only had dizziness once - when I forgot to wait 2 hours after eating to take my medication. Things were really swirling ... not pleasant. Never forgot again after that experience.

I take it at night right at bedtime. Seems to work best for me then.

Good luck! I’m sure you and your MO will figure this out!

James

[whatsinaname in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Yes, I think we will figure this one out.

Thanks much, JamesAtlanta, much obliged.

[whatsinaname]

Thank you, SaamO.

I will ask my MO to figure this one out.

Thanks again and all the very best.

[Chask]

Really interesting to hear of this. I have never read anywhere of dizziness being a side effect of Abiraterone, but it now registers with me.

I have been on Abiraterone and Prednisone (along with 1st line ADT) for 6 months now. I initially had no additional side effects to those I was experiencing with normal ADT, and that was mainly hot flushes. Other effects have thankfully been minimal for me, but about a month ago, I started to feel very light headed with slight dizziness. It wasn’t major but significant enough to notice.

I initially worried that it might be a repeat of a cardiac condition I had some years ago, but it was sufficiently different to make me think it might be due to current drugs. I didn’t do anything about it, and am pleased to say it has now dissipated, but after hearing of the experience of others, I am now quite sure it was caused by Abiraterone.

Chas

[TommyTV]

Not heard of vertigo issues. You seem to already have medication for vertigo, is it something you’ve suffered from in the past? It’s most likely a coincidence or you’ve got Labyrinthitis. You might want to check your blood pressure isn’t being affected by the medication.

[whatsinaname in reply to TommyTV]

On the dot, TommyTV.

The odds are very high that the dizziness/vertigo are because I have labyrinthitis. I have just returned from the ENT quack and he seems pretty sure its an inner ear disorder.

The quack has prescribed some medicines which I have bought and will begin taking tonight. If there is relief, his diagnosis is confirmed.

My blood pressure is completely normal fortunately.

Thanks, TommyTV, much obliged.

[Jbooml]

Hi again C....I’m so glad you started the Abi....I’ve been on it for 3 weeks and I must claim no effects. Lets hope this dizziness is transitional. When it comes to meds my feeling is to keep it clean...I don’t treat symptoms whatsoever rather ride out the side effects with lots of outdoorsy stuff. 🧗‍♂️ Our physiology is built on millions of years of rapid adaptation so I generally trust it’s nature....All the best regards and hopes for a return to normalcy....J

[whatsinaname in reply to Jbooml]

Thank you very much, J.

[monte1111]

Sorry whatsinaname. Can't help you, I'm taking Xtandi. Hope the quack is right. Careful, don't fall off the toilet.

[whatsinaname in reply to monte1111]

Thanks, monte1111. I have started on the medication that the ENT quack gave me yesterday and I already feel 40% better. Looks like the quack nailed it.

Cheers, monte1111

[StayingOptimistic in reply to whatsinaname]

Hi. What is the name of the medicine please? I have the same symptoms. Thanks

[whatsinaname]

Many thanks to ALL who have taken the time and trouble to reply to me.

I met the ENT specialist last evening and he told me that the vertigo/dizziness is almost certainly because of fluid imbalance in the ears and therefore not related to Abiraterone at all. That was a huge relief to me. I have taken two rounds of tablets for vertigo thus far, and I am feeling a lot better already.

Thanks again, Guys. Topic now closed.

[Hidden in reply to whatsinaname]

Whatever the cause vertigo sucks. Had it a long time ago from an ear infection. Weirdest thing. It was intermittent when I would look at something it would roll like the old TVs when the horizontal needed adjusting. Remember that?

[snoraste]

No dizziness for me, mainly fatigue and brain fog. As someone recommended, you may want to lower the dose to 250, and increase by 250 a week.

[whatsinaname in reply to snoraste]

Thank you, snoraste.

The cause of the dizziness was not related to Abiraterone, but to a fluid imbalance in the ears, so says my ENT specialist, who I met last evening.

Thanks again, snoraste, much obliged.

[Jbooml in reply to whatsinaname]

Thats what we all like to hear...short lived unrelated niggling congestive vertigo...three cheers to the ENT quack and his medicinal treasure trove....i stand corrected...hiphiphoorah.

[whatsinaname in reply to Jbooml]

Thanks, J