Breathing issues on Taxotere and Herceptin

MelanieLynn

Hello,

I've been reading the forums for awhile but this is my first post.

I had my first round of Taxotere and Herceptin July 21st. Before that there were three rounds of FEC. Also on July 18th I had a port inserted. On July 23rd/24th my breathing became laboured and shallow. There seemed to be pressure on my chest when I lay down in any position. After trying to manage through the night by proping myself up in bed and gently moving this way and that, Sunday morning I called my Cancer Centre and was advised to go to the nearest emerg. They took chest xrays and CT scan and said I had a partial lung collapse from the port insertion. They were also unable to access the port. finally, I had been experiencing a clearly audible clicking sound near my heart. An echo cardiogram indicated nothing unusual.

Today went to cancer centre for a port check and they had no problem accessing the port. Additionally, they said there was no evidence of any lung issue, that my lungs were in perfect shape showing no sign of the problems the emerg had identified. They showed me xrays of my lungs and the port and everything looked okay. 

I plan to get the digital records from emerg next week so my cancer centre can see them but in the meantime, I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced shortness of breath and chest pressure on Taxotere and/or Herceptin. It was pretty painful and scary not being able to breathe. I have a friend who's having similar symptoms on Taxotere and Herceptin.

Any ideas about how to relieve this symptom if it arises again during the next two rounds? I have no prior breathing issues. Oh, and anybody else clicking?

Thanks for feedback.

Tiger_Blood

Oh yes....I have still breathing issues and I finished chemotherapy 3 weeks ago. Like you I took TAxotere and Herceptin. I swear, It takes me forever to do simple tasks because I have to stop for breaks. I spoke with my onc and he said it was a SE of Tax and would get better over the course of a few weeks.

Live

I have been having breathing issues also. My xray came back hypoinflation. My onc said I need to do deep breathing and coughing to expand the lungs. Then recondition my body when I am feeling up to it.  Also have been having increased pulse rate which is so uncomfortable. Everything is an effort. I am using a spirometer to increase lung function and prevent lung collapse or infection. Hope we all feel better soon!

2ND20

Yes, taxodere gave me breathing problems. Ended up in emerg. Now on pregnosone getting better but am so afraid my lungs have been damaged. Skipped my last chemo treatment because of the taxodere. Its deadly.

KarenInCanada

Had issues too, did the same chemo as you as well. Walking up a flight of stairs tired me out and left me winded. MO was not surprised at all. Said it was a SE.