Did you have radiation also, or just chemo?
Deb
Im well aware of what caused my heart condition they have traced it to the cancer treatments. Chemothreapy may be designed to treat cancer cells but also wipes out good cells. Thats why hair loss and loss of white blood cells Adriamycin is the drug linked to my heart condition and that was just one of the drugs given me. In 82 I had non Hodgkins lymphoma and did two years of Chemo. What im really needing to find out is what drug could have caused the nerve damage and if there is one as well known to cause damage as Adrimycin is. I would like to check it aganst the records I have from 82 just to ease my mind and be able to study up on it so I can be informed when a treatment (if any) is sugested to me by my doctors. Thank you!
Hi,
Possible causes of cardiomyopathy may include any of the following: long-term high blood pressure, heart valve problems, heart tissue damage from a previous heart attack, metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies,, excessive use of alcohol and drugs over many years, viral infections and use of some chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy -dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive, all of which affect the heart's muscle leading to difficult of pumping blood and delivering it to the rest of the body.
(Reference: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cardiomyopathy/DS00519/DSECTION=causes)
What cancer and treatment was done in 82? Chemotherapy is designed to treat cancer cells, but it often affects parts of the body not directly affected by the cancer itself. This side effects may be short-term, long-term, or permanent. Depending on the treatment and the patient, it is common to experience this side effect even after a long period of time has elapsed.
Take care and regards.