Last week I went to the ER with chest pains, on recommendation of my oncologist’s office. I’m on doublet therapy (Orgovyx and Abiraterone/Prednisone), and the drug info said to contact a doctor in case of chest pains. Of course, by the time I got in there I was feeling better, but they did a EKG and a CT scan of my chest.
I was feeling foolish, and they discharged me, but recommended a stress test, which I had last Friday. It was the kind with a radioactive injection, and comparative scans before and after exercise. They took me off of the treadmill early because I was winded, and used drugs to dilate my vascular system in order to finish the test.
Long story short, they found some weirdness in my heart rhythm, and possible evidence of an earlier attack (which I was not aware of). I’ve been short of breath on our walks lately, so I’m following up with a cardiologist next week. I’ve never had issues until recently.
My question is… has anyone else experienced shortness of breath, swollen feet, and chest pains while taking my regimen. I’m deeply suspicious of the Abiraterone.
Thanks.
Written by
Jpburns
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
How do I know what caused my blockage? 4.5 years of abiraterone? Or Mom' s bypass? Or Dad's stents? Probably a combo. "Just" a peripheral artery treated with baby aspirin and a beta blocker. Hope yours is easilty treatable.
I’ve actually been in the south (Atlanta, then Athens) longer than I was in Ohio. So I’ll be rooting for the dawgs. Plus, I’m enrolled at UGA in their “over-62” program (free tuition!).
I’m sorry to read about your troubles with your treatment.
I was on abiraterone and lupron for two years. Don’t know which of them creating what problems, but I also had shortness of breath (still do a year after quitting them). I also had problems walking down stairs in the mornings - this problem disappeared when I went off ADT and zytiga.
Sorry I don’t know of any helpful solutions. I hope your meeting with the cardiologist goes well.
my husband had some heart issues during chemo and we referred to a cardiologist at Mayo. I brought this up to the resident and he resident director. He said he couldn’t comment on it and request an appointment thru oncology to see a cardiac oncologist. I found only a couple studies online but will list them here. Another wife of an advanced PCA Pat, I am friends with says her husband is having chest pains. On the same doublet therapy. I also found no one wants to dig into this because the drugs are so new and they don’t have enough data. My husband’s was likely chemo related, but it’s frustrating because most men the have PC will have a heighten risk due to low testosterone/ hormones.
Heart related to Nubeqa-
Clinically relevant adverse reactions occurring in
≥2% of patients treated with NUBEQA included ischemic heart disease and
ARAMIS - 1509 patients underwent randomization (955 to the darolutamide group and 554 to the placebo group).
Few cardiac events are described during darolutamide treatment. In the ARADES study, one (<1%) patient developed grade 1 hypertension, seven (6%) grade 2 and one (<1%) grade 3. In the ARAMIS trial, a total of 63 (6.6%) patients developed hypertension, including 30 (3.1%) cases of grade 3–4; coronary disorders occurred in 31 (3.2%) patients, including 16 (1.7%) of grade 3–4, and heart failure in 18 (1.9%) patients, including five (0.5%) of grade 3–4.
Androgen receptor blockade and, to a lesser extent, androgen suppression cause an increase in NT-pro-BNP in men with prostate cancer. The significance is not clear but could imply an adverse effect on cardiovascular risk following hormonal manipulation.
I had the same heart issues and the CT nuclear scan indicated a calcium score of 890. However, upon a subsequent angiogram, my arteries were clear, and all that calcium was built up on the outside of my heart. I’m definitely short of breath, but I also figured that is probably caused by the Orgovyx dropping my hemoglobin down to 10
I've had those "same" symptoms for quite a while.... Today, for the first time I'm to see a Pulmonologist at Sloan Kettering at 2:00 PM DST. (Right now I'm taking Lupron and Nubeqa which replaced Casodex last April - 2023). I'll try to post results.
So I saw the Pulmonologist (very nice doctor) who is concerned about some clustered subcentimeter nodules in my right lung base which showed up on my CT scan from a couple of weeks ago. He wants me to have another CT scan in November as a follow up.
Good move you stopped..... Actually I spoked for 18 years (1950 to 1968), 2 packs a day of king size chesterfields (unfiltered). Stopped cold turkey and never smoked any type of cigarette again. The doctor didn't comment about my smoking but sort of gave me that so called "doctor's stare". I don't think you have any issue regarding your past smoking habit.
I developed severe swelling in both calves and ankles while I was on Abi + Pred. Same happened to a friend of mine. Surprisingly, mine went away after a few weeks, and I continued the regimen. His did not go away, and he had to stop. Of course, swollen ankles can also be an indicator of heart issues, so it is good that you are getting the cardiology check.
The symptoms you describe are very typical after a heart attack. If you have issues with your heart rythm there is a chance it is caused by scar tissue in your heart, which often occurs after a heart attack. Scar tissue can make the heart a little weaker, which often leads to edema in your legs and also shortness of breath due to lack of oxygen since the heart is not able to pump as much blood (=oxygen) as it used to. Be careful and get help immediately if you experience pain in your chest again, because if you get treatment early, it can prevent a lot of damage. Did they put you on any medication?
(I am a nurse and have experience with cardiology)
No. I think the er treated it like acid reflux. They put me on Pepcid. But after my stress test I’m seeing cardiologist Wednesday. Hopefully that will clarify things. Abiraterone can also cause chest pains, so may be my meds.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Side Effects or Symptoms?
Advice Needed, Abiraterone Failing? 
Cardiac Issues with ADT
