radiation pheumenitis

Calsiera

I had radiation November & December 2009. During radiation treatment, my asthma started acting up and I used my inhaler very frequently for the first time in 25 years. I was put on Arimidex following surgery which, can make you cough. I just thought my cough was a side effect to the meds. Finally in March 2010 I was diagnosed with bronchitis and took prednisone in varying doses until August. I have had pulmonary function tests showing moderate broncitis/asthma, a CT scan showing some lung scarring from radiation that the Dr. said would not cause my breathing problem. I am also seeing an allergist and another dose of prednisone. The doctors have put me on Advair, Spiriva, Albuterol inhaler.

My question is: Does anyone else have breathing problems following radiation? If so, what are you doing for it? Am I the only one with this problem?

Marple

Calsiera, I sent you a PM.  You'll see it above under Private Messages.  Just click on that.

Gentle hugs.

KansasKay

Calsiera - I just read your post and it was interesting to me because I have similar problems but hadn't seen anything posted.  I finished radiation in Dec. 2008.  The asthma that had been under control for 25 years was diagnosed by a pulmonologist in July 2009.  He sent me to an allergist also.  I've been on allergy shots for two years.  Both the pulmonologist and allergist did breathing tests.  Years ago, asthma was only after being exposed to certain "triggers", like corn dust or cigarette smoke.  I haven't had a CT scan and don't plan on that if I can avoid it due to just adding more radiation exposure.  My oncologist (3rd one since diagnosis) just blows off the mention of radiation pheumonitis but I still wonder if it is the cause of the shortness of breath.  It just doesn't feel like the sudden grasping for air I had years ago.  After all the misrepresentations of side effects I've had, I have little trust in what the oncologist says and tend to believe my fellow "sisters" to get the real story!

Calsiera

Thank goodness I'm not alone in this thing. My oncologist overlooked it for months knowing that I have asthma. He hadn't realized it had been 25 years since I used my inhaler. I just kept bringing it up each time I saw him and my primary doctor. My primary had the pulmonary function test ordered and diagnosed me with bronchitis so the oncologist thought it was being handled. I kept telling them it started during radiation treatment. I was telling my oncologist once again, and it was like a light went on. He ordered the CT scan. My primary sent me to the allergist. I had blood tests for allergies but haven't seen her yet for the results. We'll see.

I really find it strange that I have not had a problem all those years and all of a sudden it pops up. All I want is to know if this if this is how my life is going to be. I do not like taking all this medicine. I've never been one to take anything if I didn't have to. Besides, one or all of them is making me gain weight like crazy. I'll bet I've put on 40 lbs. since March.

I have read that radiation scarring can lead to fibrosis. I definitely do not want that; so anything I can do now to get the correct diagnosis and treatment is worth searching for.

Having a CT scan is the only real way to see if there is scarring that I know of. You have to weigh the pro's and con's and decide for yourself to have one. Good luck to you! Please stay in touch. It is good to have "sisters" that know what you're going through.