My husband has been on Cabozantinib tabs for 3 weeks and has follow up next weds.
Last couple of days he's been quite unsteady on his feet and feels exhausted.
BP being monitored although high
Dr informed and taking Amlodipine to reduce BP
Is the chemo tablet making him feel this way
Thanks
Sue
Hi Sue,
My name is Gail, and I’m one of the cancer information nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
Thank you for getting in touch. It sounds like a very worrying time for you both, and it’s completely understandable that you’re concerned about these new symptoms. When treatment has only recently started and changes happen this quickly, it can feel unsettling and exhausting for everyone involved.
Cabozantinib is a targeted therapy drug used to treat several different cancers, including kidney cancer, primary liver cancer and some types of thyroid cancer.
The cancers it’s used for can sometimes cause symptoms themselves, and the treatment can also lead to side effects such as tiredness, raised blood pressure, dizziness and balance changes. The unsteadiness and exhaustion you’re seeing, along with his high blood pressure, can be related either to the cancer, the treatment, or a combination of both.
You’ve done the right thing in contacting his GP and getting his blood pressure treated. However, because he’s now unsteady on his feet and this is new, it’s really important that his cancer team are made aware. His oncology team may decide that it’s best to carry out some investigations. Even something as simple as a blood test can offer helpful insight. Sometimes treatment can put certain levels in the blood out of range, and these can often be corrected quite easily once they’re identified.
Quality of life during treatment is incredibly important. Your husband shouldn’t have to struggle with symptoms that could be managed or improved, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to his cancer team. They are best placed to consider whether the symptoms are coming from the cancer itself, the side effects of Cabozantinib, or the combination of medicines he’s on. Sometimes even small interventions, such as adjusting doses, adding supportive medications, or correcting blood levels, can make a huge difference.
Your husband should have a named Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within his cancer team. If you’re unsure who that is, you can call the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to his consultant’s secretary. They can give you the CNS details or pass an urgent message on your behalf.
If the unsteadiness becomes worse, appears unsafe on his feet, feels faint, confused, dizzy, or if he has any falls, please don’t wait. Contact his oncology team, GP, the CNS, or NHS 111 straight away.
If you’d like to talk this through in more detail, please feel free to call us on the Macmillan Support Line. We’re here every day from 8am to 8pm on 0808 808 00 00, and we can help you make sense of his symptoms and guide you on what to do next.
Take care, and please keep reaching out if you need support.
Warmest wishes,
Gail
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Macmillan Cancer Support
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