radiation side effect??

elena1

I have had 10 of 28 radiation treatments and am also on Herceptin. The last few days Ive noticed something a little odd about my breathing. I always had great lung capacity and was never out of breath at even a very brisk walk.I had a few breathing test during chemo and all was well. I noticed now that when I take a few deep breaths it sometimes makes my heart beat faster for awhile and I seem to breath more shallow. I asked my Rad Dr. if these treatments were effecting my lungs and she said they are avoiding them as much as possible and if at all its very minimal. I have no tumor to rad because the breast is gone but they are radiating the chest wall and some nodes more for precaution they claim. Has anyone had these symptoms and Im thinking of maybe stopping rads?? Your thoughts always help..Thanks

208sandy

Hi:

Don't stop the rads - go to your onc or your PCP and get checked out - it can be a SE of Herceptin or it could be nothing but you do need to check it out - I had a little problem with my heart during all the chemo and rads and it's gone now but I was treated right away - I don't know your age but if you are over say 55 it's entirely possible it's Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) very common and easy to treat.  Good luck.  Keep us informed.  Hugs, Sandy

amlg1

I agree don't stop the rads.I also was getting rads while on herceptin,had no trouble.It could possibly be from Herceptin,have you had a muga scan recently?Tell onco.

badexperience987

In August 2010, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and radiation utilizing the Savi breast catheter for radiation. My surgeon gave me all my options; mastectomy, lumpectomy with external radiation, or lumpectomy with Brach therapy. I consulted with the radiation oncologist and she said I was a good candidate for the Brach therapy. I asked her if there were any side affects from that method and she said "no". After speaking with the radiation oncologist I opted for the Brach therapy as I have small breasts and I could avoid the radiation damage to my lungs and heart.

Both my surgeon and the radiation oncologist said that there is minimal pain associated with the Savi device. I found that to be untrue. The Savi device inside a small breast does hurt. After a couple of days of having the Savi device inside my breast I was told that my flesh had grown away from the wire whisk type device inside my breast, and since they were unable to readjust it, they told me I would have the old one removed and a new one inserted or the radiation would not be effective. Had they told me it wouldn't be 10-30% effective I would have opted to just leave in the one I already had, but the doctor made it sound as though it would not be 100% effective. I feel I was mislead as I found out later it still would have been partially effective. Let me mention that they charged my insurance company $14,000 for a 10 minute procedure to replace the device. The new device was a size larger and it was extremely painful. And not only when it was inserted, it was constantly painful. I could barely move and sleeping was almost impossible. The pressure on my chest was unbearable and I told them that but they insisted I stay with the treatment. They prescribed strong painkillers and put me on antibiotics.

Let me mention that I have a very high tolerance for pain. I get cavities filled without Novocain and have had other surgeries with no pain and heal up really quickly. Not this time. While the radiation itself never hurt, the Savi device inside my breast hurt constantly and it pressed near my chest wall which is extremely painful.

No sooner had they finally removed the device that my side near my abdomen started hurting really bad! I got the worst case of painful shingles as a result of the Savi device and radiation. I was literally sick in bed for three months, sick with the nerve pain and skin pain that was excruciating! I was unable to move my body comfortably and even lost my appetite. I thought I might even die. Then, after the fact, the radiation oncologist tells me that, yeah sometimes shingles can result as a side effect from the radiation. It would have been nice to know this upfront. At least then I could have gotten the vaccination beforehand or have made a better decision. Knowing what I know now I would have opted for the mastectomy with reconstruction. Be forewarned that sometime doctors are not fully forthcoming and they only see things from their perspective.

Valerie77

To badexperience, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you had. I was seriously considering that option myself but was told tumor bed might be too close to my skin.