Palpitation and Zytiga

[dac500]

I have been taking 1000 mg Zytiga + 5 mg Prednisone for nearly 14 months for my castrate resistant metastatic cancer. In the last 3 weeks I started having flutter/palpitation. My cardiologist prescribed Zio patch continuous heart monitor. I am going to complete 14 day monitoring tomorrow.

During the last 14 months my Potassium level was in normal range. I am just wondering whether I am developing irregular heart beat. I should also mention a year ago my LAD artery was found to have 60 to 70% calcified stenosis.

I just wonder can some side effects appear after taking Zytiga for over a year.

[stealthrider]

I am taking Eligard for 2 yrs after RALP and salvage radiation. I started having premature atrial contractions "PACs" with a few premature ventral contractions "PVCs" as well at about 12 months in on Eligard. Wore Zio monitor as well. Doctor said ADT has potential to have that effect on people. The total number of PACs/PVCs was a small percentage of total heart beats so they were not concerned even though they are certainly annoying. Cardiologist suggested increasing electrolytes even though my associated blood parameters were within normal range, I feel like they occur less and for shorter duration when I drink water with electrolytes a couple times per week. I use LMNT. I bought the Kardia mobile widget to do home EKGs. Apple watch works too. Information gives me a certain sense of control. Be well.

[fireandice123]

I'm in a similar situation. My Fitbit watch gave me 2 warnings of potential AFib. I'm on Abiraterone and prednisone. My primary care doc prescribed the Zio monitor. I have an appt next week to go over the monitor results.

One of the potential side affects, albeit a rare SE, is irregular heartbeat.

Also, I just had a CMP test and the anion gap reading was low. I didn't know what the anion gap test was. I found out it is used to measure blood acidity. One of the causes of an abnormal abion gap reading could be an electrolyte imbalance and an electrolyte imbalance can cause an irregular heartbeat, among other things, like fatigue and lethargy. One cause of electrolyte imbalance could be taking corticosteroids. Prednisone is a corticosteroid and I'm taking 10 mg/day of prednisone. Looking at previous CMP results, my anion gap results going wonky roughly corresponded with me starting Abiraterone/prednisone. Before that, all was well in that regard.

These are all things I'll be discussing at my appt next week.

[dac500 in reply to fireandice123]

Let us know your zio report. I have just sent back my monitor.

[Professorgary]

Doctors often prescribe calcium to offset the detrimental effects of adt on bones. Request a magnesium test. If your calcium magnesium level is out of balance you may experience arrithmia. I was told by my mo to take calcium when he put me on Xgeva but I refused. You need magnesium to allow the calcium to be processed properly. Request the test.