Radiation induced bronchitis?

Anonymous

Dear ladies,

I had 33 tx of rads April May last year.  I had no problems during rads other than skin redness, some peeling etc.  But I have noticed that after about 1 month past tx I have a cough from time to time that sounds like, well, a goose honking.  I can still climb mountains, hike canyons, (I live at 7000 feet) etc etc, my O 2 sats are 97-99% and my brochial tubes and lungs are always clear when I visit my MO for my 3 month visits.  Even my PCP said I'm fine. But I've never had this before, and when I try to cough, I can force that deep, honking sound.

I was radiated with whole breast radiation on my right breast.  My RO says that he wasn't hitting my lung or bronchials, but what about scatter radiation? 

It doesn't bother me much (the intermittent cough), I'm more curious than anything else...would like your thoughts.

Thank you much!

Claire in AZ

wenweb

Hi Claire,  My story is a little different than your's, but is has also made me wonder whether I have had radiation damage.  I'm 3 years out!!  I have been going through a tough time with uncontrolled asthma since May.  I have had 2 CT scans, 2 chest x-rays, been on some rounds of prednisone. Everything always checks out fine. Everytime I go to the pulmonologist, my O2 is 99 and my lungs always sound clear.  I end up thinking that the docs think I'm crazy!!  The pulmonologist says I am a mystery to him, and he is ready to send me to a cardiologist to see if I have any heart issues.  My gut is telling me that I don't, because I am like you and live an active life style (running, walking, yoga, back packing) with no difficulties.  I have had asthma for 30 years and never had any difficulties that have lasted this long.