Is anyone elses breathing bad after BC Treatment?

Hi Summer

Have heard that Radiation can cause damage to lungs. Equally the chemo poison can cause damage to the heart.

Have you seen a pulmonologist (or at least that is what I think they are called) to assess you lung capacity?

Suggest you go back to your GP and push for a referral to get his sorted. Am saddened and surprised that your hospital are not taking you seriously - I'm in Beaumont and have had referrals for a few issues (skin issues that turned out to be ecezema thanks to post cancer drugs). Alternative is to go back to breast cancer nurse who might be able to help.

Good luck and let us now how you get on.

LindyLu

Thanks for your reply. It doesn't seem like a common problem with BC patients. Its definitely bad since Chemo so I reckon that did the damage.

I've asked numerous docs in the hosp about it and my own Surgeon said twice they'd get it looked at by a respitory doc but still nothing (I had scans and they showed nothing) so I think your suggestion is good, I will go to my GP on Monday and get a referral. I'd never heard of a Pulmonologist so thanks for that.

Hi Summer,

I had some problems with recurrent dry cough (which frightened the life out of me!) post treatment. I also had chest x-rays and a PET/CT but nothing showed up, TG.

I think it is damage from radiation (but no one will admit this). Not just to my lungs but my throat and trachea (windpipe) too because my radiotherapy field covered that area also. But its not so bad now so hopefully it will also heal and improve for you over time. I found it was at its worst for the 6 months after treatment ended. Apart from the worry, it can be very tiring having a cough for six months, my chest muscles hurt (well a bit!). So you have my sympathy.

Talk to your GP before seeing an expensive specialist. They can do a simple breathing test that they do for asthmatics (can't remember the name of it) which may shed some light on things before a referral.

Good luck. Hope you get relief soon.
Flo.

PS - Does anyone else thing its strange that they do a heart echo BEFORE chemo (Adriamycin) to see if your heart is healthy enough to withstand it, BUT they don't do another one AFTER to see how much damage has been done?

Summer, me again!

I re-read your post and your 'tightness in the chest' comment made me think. One other thing to bear in mind that it could also be linked to some anxiety??

I know I had some regarding recurrence and spread (and BrCa issues which I know you share) for some time after treatment ended. A lot of us experience it after diagnosis and treatment. It can take a while to get used to living with our risk and being careful about our health without being completely paranoid. (I was paranoid for a while after treatment ended, I am NOT saying you are!). After a cancer diagnosis (and esp with a BrCa mutation) you need to be watchful and prudent about any symptoms you have, and get them checked out.

Hugs,

Flo.

It is possible your breathing is related to anxiety, my teenage daughter had breathing probs for some time. Doc referred her to lung specialist following xrays who with careful questioning found it was school and anxiety related. Hope you find relief whatever is causing it.

And Flo, I do think its strange you don't get heart scan after chemo. Had last chemo yesterday, asked doc re scans as I thought another bone scan was due as well. He said no but after pushing re concerns I have bout poss spread of cancer, agreed to scan in New Year after r/t. It could be tho that another heart scan will be done in the event of either more chemo in the future or future heart probs?

Hi girls Just finished chemo and rads and since the end of chemo have had alot of problems with breathlessness Doctors were great and did extensive tests to find cause but nothing showed up They reckon it might be linked with lack of fitness which is possible as huge inactivity during treatment! but defo important to get it followed up Strangely enough no lung function tests done Had heart checked ,bloods, oxygen in blood, chest x ray and scan Keep well everybody