Lung mets, panic attack-- or both?

Juliechicago

The simple question-- what do lung mets feel like and when does one really become concerned? The harder answer I know has something to do with- it's likely a different experience for everyone and panic/anxiety can color/mimic everything..... 

The background--Diagnosed in 2000, IDC, Stage 2 3cm triple neg. Lumpectomy, rad, 4 A/C. 2008 new primary in same breast (!),  1 cm, Stage 1,, mast,rec, 5 CMF.

early October, I developed what seemed to be a bronchial infection of sorts. No typical sore throat, fever buildup, just a tickle and rattle and that grew into coughing attacks. Low grade fever, felt unwell, coworker had developed pneumonia, so saw doc who thought it was likely walking pneu or bronchitis. Heard a rattle in my lungs.  Put on antibiotic. Did little. Went back to her 10 days later, second antibiotic and chest xray. Chest xray normal "No pneumonic infiltrites found."  Second antibiotic did little- at the point I wrote it off as viral and things were beginning to improve....but never quite got there.  3 months later, I'm left with a tightness in the center of my chest- almost as if a small brick were sitting there. Occasional dry cough and some shortness of breath. Worry started in around Thanksgiving when this strange feeling just wasn't going away- not morphing into anything. Saw regular doc for third time. She tells me rattle is gone, gave me a breath capacity test- fine- and basically told me I was being a hypochondriac, but ordered chest ct.  I waited to take it as I had my regular onc appt this past week.  He listened to my lungs, said they sounded clear, wait two weeks and if feeling the same, go for the ct. 

I struggle to explain the anxiety and panic that has taken over. I can't understand what this might be- it matches no description of chronic bronchitis, asthma, costrochondritis. Xray was clear, but I worry that only pneumonia was looked for and also have read that it's ineffectual for anything that is small.  (Could something small cause these symptoms?)  The shortness of breathe worries me-though in truth, I'm not sure if this is partly due to anxiety-- chicken or the egg. It's absolutely destroyed the holiday for me and I'm to the point where i can neither sleep or eat well.  The obvious answer is that I need to get this chest ct done- but can't make the call until Monday. Wondered if anyone who has had lung mets-- or panicked about them--might advise. Ashamed to admit I'm having a terrible time with this.    -jc

lago

Julie I am so sorry you are going through this. Something is wrong so you are correct to check it out. From a quick search on the web regarding symptoms there is a good chance this is not mets to the lungs… but you should get an answer to what it is. (I don't have lung mets).

It seems initially there are no symptoms. (check this out: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000097.htm ) This is something I would check out with your oncologist at t his point if you haven't already.

Have you discussed panic attacks with your docs? Where you on Adriamycin? The shortness of breath might also be a heart issue (that is very treatable).

amoccia53160

Rads could effect the lungs too.Would be treated with steroids which can cause panic like symptoms.  Were you on any steroid meds for the bronchitis?  Coughs from bronchitis could hang on for weeks.  Give it time.  I just went through a similar experience.  I have asthma but it doesn't clear up so easily during flare ups since I had radiation.  Always a new worry...xxoo Annette

carcharm

Julie, It could be your heart and not your lungs. The fact that you are sob and it feels like pressure.... maybe the drugs did damage to your heart. Have you had an echo or EKG?

DCMom

Julie,

I've had an ongoing experience exactly like you have described.  I had a cough that I think was a cold.  I then think I began to worry it was more and then it became an anxiety disorder.  I feel like I have shortness of breath, but when I want to I can take a very deep breath, but thinking about it makes me want to yawn and you can't force a yawn.  I've spoken with my doctor and right now I am just working on the panic part.  

One test I bank on is the fact that when I am busy doing other things or enjoying myself I don't have any issues, but when I think about it wham it comes right up on me.  I also think the brick you describe could just be the anxiety settling in.

Keep us up to date I am praying for you to hear good news and to be able to suddenly realize this was all in your head...but is now gone.

neesie

Hey Julie,  I haven't been on the boards in forever.  Just wanted to 'pipe' in as the Queen of Anxiety/panic attacks.

Yes, you probably should have the CT, but I'm banking on Anxiety.  It is a wicked condition and comes on with no warning.  I have found that once you hear the C word you live in a constant state of "canceritis"........only one that has been there understands that. Headache: Brain Mets. Back pain: Bone Mets.  Cough: Lung Mets (which I have right now...not the lung mets, but the broncial cough).

I get a funny feeling in my chest every now and again......hard to explain and it isn't often.  Just often enough to convince me I'm having a heart attack (or cancer of the heart!!)  Starts around the bra band and goes up and I feel like I'm going to faint.....which of course I don't and it only lasts a couple seconds......just long enough to throw the 'panic' into high gear.  I've had EKG's, Cardiolite Stress tests, Nuclear Stress...........all okay.

Best to you........making a 'mental' note (which is a joke in itself!) to check back in here and see how you're doing.

Neesie

jdootoo

Hi Julie,

I had something similar a couple of years ago. I developed pneumonia in August, but I was still going into coughing fits in December. The doctor said it was a type of asthma that can develop after a cold and then goes away. He prescribed an inhaler for me and it really helped. 

One love, Jackie 

Juliechicago

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I wanted to post again as I know other people read these threads and sometimes it's good to know the outcome. 

I did have the catscan.  2 small 3mm "noncalcified" nodules were found in the left lung. My onc. was quick to point out that in his 25 years of practice, he has yet to see a "normal" CT that doesn't show anything at all- the tests are more and more sensitive to- anything.  The spots are too small to biopsy. Based on his experience, he doesn't think these are indicative of mets- they could be, but they could also be anything from scar tissue to even damage from the reconstructive surgery I had on that side.  Protocol is to rescan in 3-4 months to see if there is any change. I don't know that I'm entirely comfortable with the uncertainty-- but he indicated they would be very difficult to biopsy due to size and finding them.  So I will wait and rescan....ugh.

As far as the ongoing "brick in the chest" and cough-- I'm advised that these nodules are not large enough to be behind the cough.  With the test results, my anxiety has eased somewhat, though cough persists. So next step-- see pulmonary specialist to see if there is something like asthma going on as you suggested, Jackie.

Thank you to everyone-- your responses helped a lot!

-julie

Leah_S

Julie, I'm glad you're going to see a pulmonary doc. I didn't see this before, but when I read it I thought "asthma". A lot of your symptoms are ones I have with asthma.

Best of luck.

Leah

Anonymous

Dear Julie,

I know this is an old post, but I just found it through a google search of "what does it feel like to have lung mets" - which gives you an idea of my state of mind. I was wondering what happened with you?

I've got a strange dry cough and tightness in the center of my chest, as well as a strange rasping feeling when I breathe, sometimes. I'm weighing going to talk to the doctor here but I dread being told I'm a hypochondriac, which I know is no reason not to go see her. As someone wrote above, every little symptom now means oh no, this is it, it's come back. For my own peace of mind, and not to look like the girl who's calling wolf, I weigh the risks and benefits of talking to the doctor when I feel this way. But I should probably call them. I live in Sweden and it's not so easy getting into a doctor - even when you've had cancer.

It somehow helps to know others are living with this too, even though I wish no one else had to. But I appreciate the support, and having people who relate. I can't load all this on my husband all the time and make everyone suffer needlessly.

I hope it worked out for you!