Can chemo cause vertigo?

Posted by mil63 @mil63, Sep 3 12:15pm

Husband Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma
Got dizzy - it stopped- thought to be viral

Now again - vertigo
Treatments tried- epley maneuver at home , behind ear patch, Dramamine - has tapered a little but still there.

MRI of brain was CLeAR

ENT can’t see for 2 more weeks.

Has been in same treatment of Keytruda and Alimta for 7 months
(Initially had added Carboplantin for 6 mos )

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frouke | @frouke | Sep 3 7:29pm

I can understand the frustration you’re feeling, it’s hard to be the caregiver in this situation but I’m sure your husband feels safer for your support. I think that vertigo is not an uncommon side effect from the drugs he’s taking, they are very powerful medicine for fighting cancer but as in most cases they always come with unpleasant symptoms. I think he’s been well looked after with the tests to rule out other issues and in two weeks he will see the ENT which is thankfully not too long of a wait. Stage 4 is a huge pressure but there are many people today living longer lives thanks to better treatments available, given time he will hopefully cope better with everything and start feeling better giving you some relief from the stress you’re under, best wishes.

mil63 | @mil63 | Sep 3 10:33pm

Thank you

valhal | @valhal | Sep 4 7:24am

In addition to the brain MRI, ask for a full spine MRI, ie, thoracic, cervical, and lumbar. I wish we would've had all these MRI s done when my husband had unbalance issues after receiving the same treatment. Could've been the beginning of leptolemengeal metastasis, which would've gotten him treatment earlier for that. Leptolemengeal metastasis is rare but common in lung and breast Cancer and is often overlooked until it's harder to treat.

denzie | @denzie | Sep 4 11:16am

Dizziness is a known side effect of keytruda. If it persists talk to your doctor about a dose reduction.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 14 8:07pm

@mil63, how is your husband's vertigo? Will he see the ENT this week?

mil63 | @mil63 | Sep 14 10:46pm

Next week . The vertigo is about a level 3/10.
He has audiology test prior ( this week)
He seems more congested post chemo.

He begins targeted therapy instead of chemo every 3 weeks which he has done for a full year. Im glad for him to have chemo break, side effects are tolerated but seem to compound and last longer. Hopefully the targeted tx brings some good results.

mil63 | @mil63 | Sep 14 10:47pm

Won’t have Keytruda any more at least for the present time.

donnademps | @donnademps | Sep 17 7:52am

In reply to @valhal "In addition to the brain MRI, ask for a full spine MRI, ie, thoracic, cervical, and..." + (show)

@valhal
Haven't heard of this kind of metastasis.
My mutation is very rare HER2/L775P and I have it, so still important to check those rare possibilities.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 17 12:04pm

In reply to @valhal "In addition to the brain MRI, ask for a full spine MRI, ie, thoracic, cervical, and..." + (show)

@valhal, This had to be a difficult time, knowing something is wrong. I'm glad that they eventually identified the cause of the symptoms that he was experiencing. How is your husband doing? How are they treating the Leptomeningeal metastasis?

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