One year out, now shortness of breath

mudd

About a year ago I had a BMX followed by TC chemo and I'm now on Femara and developed shortness of breath but not when I exercise or move around a lot, only when I'm not doing anything. Could this be the cancer spread to my lungs or extreme anxiety attacks (obviously since i'm positng here!) Should I call the MO? What tests would be done? At my last exam the doctor said I was doing great and had no concerns but I didn't have these symptoms. I did have a chest xray during chemo because I was getting chest pain and it was clear. thanks for any advice.

Peacetoallcuzweneedit

Mudd- I think you should have it checked out....any shortness of breath typically needs to be explored....it sounds a lot like anxiety. I deal with anxiety 24/7 - we go hand in hand over here...I know the road is difficult mudd and I am sending you peace...

KBeee

Because it comes on at rest and does not get worse with exercise..... and because it comes and goes..... it is very likely anxiety. If it persists, be evaluated and treated once they figure out exactly what itbis

Spoonie77

Mudd - I know Femara is different than Tamoxifen, however, since they both block hormone receptors, it doesn't seem too much of a stretch to think that some of the same side effects found there could be found in Femara. I've been doing my research on Tamox and have found many people report issues with trouble breathing, at rest. Exactly as you mention.

Here is a link to Mayo's list of SEs for Tamox: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tamoxifen-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066208

Here is a link to Mayo's list of SEs for Femara: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/letrozole-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067579

On the Femara page, there is a "troubled breathing" SE listed. I would definitely contact your MO and let them know. It could be anxiety, but IMO, it's better to be proactive and make sure it's not something that needs to be treated rather than assume it's something "known".

Also, there is this:

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/breathing_probs

"Several breast cancer treatments may cause breathing problems or shortness of breath:

• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• some hormonal therapies:
  • Evista (chemical name: raloxifene)
  • Fareston (chemical name: toremifene)
  • Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant)
  • Femara (chemical name: letrozole)
  • tamoxifen
• some targeted therapies:
  
  • Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab)
  • Tykerb (chemical name: lapatinib)

A number of pain medications, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and opiates also may cause breathing problems."

Hope this helps in some way. Keep us posted. Wishing you peace and healing.

Mahsa_sh

Hi Mudd,

When I was reading your post, I thought that's me. Exactly the same one year out and now experiencing shortness of breath that comes and goes and not getting worse with exercise or activity. Exactly like you I had chest pain and short of breath during my check and ended up doing it and ct came clear and my MO believed it was because of anxiety. This time though I developed symptoms after long flight and still having it. My GP just ordered a blood test to rule out blood clot formation but I'm anxious if this is lung Mets. Hope you are doing well. Please let us know how did you go?

mudd

Thanks for your responses. The dr. gave me a lung function test which was normal, told me to take anxiety meds if I feel short of breath and see if it goes away but AHHH now that Mahsa_sh mentioned blood clots I'm nuts again. I guess this never ends. Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone - we're better off this year than last.