lung problems with herceptin? or rads?

LittleFlower

Hi Ladies,
With so many meds and treatments, sometimes you just don't know what's causing your problems! I have had an irritation in my upper chest for last couple of weeks, little cough, mostly just feels achy, like i'm about to develop a sore throat, but don't. SOOO i'm wondering if anyone here has had such a reaction secondary to herceptin, since it started the night of my last infusion, or could it be irritation from rads that my rad onc had warned me about?? I am waiting to hear back from my rad onc, but was just curious if it could be herceptin related...... never a dull moment in a cancer girl's life right
LittleFLower

ravdeb

There is such a thing called radiation pneumonitis that can happen up to a year after radiation treatments. I think it's checked out with a CT. It causes shortness of breath and a dry cough, from what I know of it.

bonny1963

I think the cough can come from the radiation. But I was told by my onc that Herceptin does not cause sore throats. But it seems like after every infusion, for just a little while (few hours) I feel like I am getting a sore throat.I know it is coming from that. It couldn't be anything else. But I don't think the cough comes from the Herceptin. Hope you feel better soon. Bonny

lkc

I had similiar sxs from my rads, I know this as when the rads were over the sxs gradually resolved, and I am still on Herceptin with no problems!
Good Luck.

Linda

LittleFlower

saw rad onc NP and had chest Xray- no pneumonitis. CT scheduled for couple of weeks if symptoms don't resolve. Have been hearing from various individuals that his might be allergy related? (only I can turn an allergy into cancer:)) but in all seriousness, never had allergies, so will try the claritin and see if it helps.....hope it does.

SheriH

I got pneumonia right after rads and I had just done a few weeks of herceptin. My onc stopped herceptin after that. Not quite sure if it was the rads or herceptin or my immune system still not up to speed. That was almost 2 years ago and I haven't had that since.