Lung problems after radiation

BonnieW

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this board, but I would like to know if anyone out there has the same problem that I now have.  I finished 7 weeks of radiation on 9-11-12 for my left breast Stage 1 cancer.  I had a lumpectomy.   I was in the hospital last weekend and was diagnosed with COPD, specifically emphysema.   I do not smoke, and I was a light social smoker about twenty years ago.  Never smoked during the week, just a few on the weekends.  Like I said, no smoking for 20 years.  While in the hospital for breathing problems, I was told by the pulmonologist that I had scar tissue on my left lung from the radiation.   I am now on Spiriva and Advair.  Without these two inhalers, I was not getting enough oxygen and I would fall asleep at work, when I was driving, etc.  I could not walk up a flight of steps without trying to catch my breath.   Has anyone else had this same problem?   Thanks for your reply.

Bonnie

somanywomen

Bonnie, so sorry this happened, it seems like sometimes the cures cause us more problems than we know at the time we make the choice...I have just been taken off Arimidex (been on 3 years) because it could be the reason I ended up in the ER for Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot through out my leg)...We just make the best decisions that we are faced with at the time and keep on keeping on......

Letlet

I have radiation scarring on my left lung. I've had 3 chest CTs in total and its showing that it is growing a little bit more each time. It's being monitored yearly (or every 6 months I forget) by a pulmonologist. I had a scare two weeks ago because I couldn't go up one flight of stairs without being short of breath, my onc ordered the chest CT and it was neg for mets but showed the scarring had become bigger. The report calls it "radiation changes" but my pulmonologist told me that it was scarring. I had radiation a year and a half ago.

I don't know if that helps or not, I have not been diagnosed with COPD or emphysema. Actually the pulmo did not seem that concerned about it, just told me I wouldn't be running marathons.

I see that you just finished rads two months ago...that totally wiped me out physically and I was weak and sleepy all the time, that could also contribute to what you are feeling.

BonnieW

Letlet,  Thanks for your reply.  I  did not know that the scarring could become bigger.   I was wondering if I should be seeing a pulmonologist or my family doctor, now I am sure I should be seeing a specialist.  

Somanywomen, I am also on Arimidex.  Thanks for your reply.  Now I know I better watch for any symptoms of a blood clot. 

Thank you both. 

Denise-G

Hi Bonnie - I had many lung problems during chemo and then during rads.  I finished rads July 27, 2012.  I had heart problems from Herceptin which contributed to lung problems.  I could not go up a flight of steps without being out of breath.

My lungs have gotten so much better.  This is what I did.  I had saved my Voldyne 2500 exerciser (plastic breathing apparatus they give you in hospital to avoid pneumonia).  You can buy them on ebay relatively cheap.   I started doing the breathing exercises several times a day.  My lungs have improved SO MUCH!  No more out of breath and much healing has occurred.

I was told that there will always be scar tissue on my lung from rads and to always tell anyone giving you a chest x-ray you had rads.

I know I might be trying to make a very difficult diagnosis that you received sound easier.  But from my personal experience, this little plastic machine has a made an absolute world of difference to me!  My MO said it helped turn my rubbery lung into being more flexible. 

BonnieW

Thanks Denise.   I also live in Ohio --  Canfield, OH.  I know exactly what plastic breathing apparatus you are referring to.  I will use that also because I do not want this problem to get any worse. 

Denise-G

Oh good, Bonnie.  I live in NW Ohio...   I promise that little plastic gizmo will help you very much!  When I first started doing it, I could only get to less than 1000.  Now I can get to 2500 easily.

JREPO243

This sounds allot like what I am going through 9 years after breast cancer treatments. If I dance a fast dance I sometimes get out of breath and my lungs hurt to catch my breath. It is not pain but hurts to catch my breath. I get short of breath if I am talking to someone while walking up stairs. I do hyperventilate sometimes also. And lately I fall asleep at the drop of a hat while on my computer at night or watching TV. Walking outdoors I have no problem breathing. I did have chemo, radiation and herceptin for my breast cancer treatment. I have been cancer free for 9 yrs. now.

barbkid

Hi Bonnie

I am a 23 year cancer survivor. I had stage 1 breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and radiation..no chemo. About 10 years ago I started having breathing problems. I had a chest X-ray and it came back saying “severe lung damage most likely from radiation treatment". My GP gave me an inhaler and when I used it , it increased my heart rate to where I was extremely uncomfortable so I stopped using it. A pulmonologist told me I had adult onset asthma! So he gave me an inhaler also and I had the same reactions. So here I am no better off and still having breathing issues and I just live with it. I am 75 now and feel like I am 90!! But I have found that exercise does help but I don't stick to it and suffer the consequences. I have had many chest X-rays and all come back saying “severe lun scarring “. There are many meds I cannot take due to the interaction with blood pressure meds

MommyQ

Hi Denise. Back in 2012, you recommended the Voldyne 2500 exerciser. Six years later, do you still use it and recommend it?

I've recently been having problems with lightheadedness and tingly extremeties, lethargy, and being short of breath on random occasions. It's led me through a barage of tests, including a chest x-ray and CT scan at the ER. From looking at one (or both) results, the pulmonologist told me that there was evidence of some lung scarring, which I assume is probably from rads. I am scheduled for a PFT (pulmonary function test) Friday because when I was at the pulmonologist's office, she gave me a quick breathing test, and it showed that my lung capacity wasn't normal. So, I'm trying to learn as much about this lung issue and solutions as I can. Thanks for any advice!

Dreamer54540

hi, my Dr recommend radiation but after talking to the radiation therapist and signing the paper that said it will cause damage I refused it. I already have bad lung issues and I'm 60 years old . Now I started hormone therapy and I'm on Anastrozole. I was worried about needing oxygen after radiation. I made a life choice for quality years over quantity of years. Only time will tell if this was a stupid decision.

Denise-G

MommyQ - by pure accident I looked at this post, and here you had a question for me! I am sorry about the issues you are having.

I still have them as well.

I used the Voldyne 2500 exerciser (the plastic lung exerciser they give you when you are in the hospital to prevent pneumonia)

all during rads and for several years, and then when my sister went through rads, I passed it onto her.

Since my lungs are acting up again (happens every winter), I went looking for it a few days ago and found it. Now that's a miracle!

I'm starting to use it again tonight! I will report back how it is working! But through the years, whenever I've used it, it has

always helped improve my lung capacity.

MommyQ

Denise - I’m glad you happened to check this thread! Thanks for the reply. I’m glad you were able to find it!

macb04

I also have lung damage from rads. I sometimes use an Albuter inhaler, but it doesn't help all that much. When it's very quiet I can hear this gurgling from the top of my L rads damaged lung. One of many reasons why I wish I hadn't ever done rads.

Dreamer5454, I think you made a brave choice to skip the awful rads. I wish I had told them to shove it. Quality of life is crucial.