Has anyone had pleural effusion?

NBee

Has anyone had pleural effusion? I developed it and I have to drain my lung once a week. I have stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer that has metastasized to my bones and my left lung. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I have a tube sticking out of my left side that I'm using to drain.

LoriCA

Hi NBee, you may get a better response over in the Stage IV forum. Seems most of the people in the IBC forum are Stage 3, only a couple of us Stage IV folks here. There aren't many with IBC in the first place!

Sorry to hear about your pleural effusion, that sounds miserable. Is it malignant pleural effusion or is it due to treatment (ie a side effect of Herceptin)?

sbelizabeth

NBee, this sounds pretty uncomfortable. I'm sorry you're going through this. Lori gave good advice--head over to the Stage IV forum, where I know you'll find others who have wrangled a pleural effusion. We will help and support you all we can, though. Gentle hugs--SB

amarantha

perhaps we have a pleural effusion page.. I 'll join it wherevrr you end up. Sigh. I had a punction today 500 ml. Not my best day.

Sadiesservant

Hi All,

Just look for lung mets. While it sounds more like a discussion of solid tumours, you’ll find information on malignant pleural effusion as well. In fact, MPE seems more common.

I was rediagnosed as a result of MPE in my right lung. I had a PleurX Catheter inserted and drained my lung twice a week for about six months. At its worst I had over 3 litres drained. Eventually I had what they call a spontaneous pleurodesis and the lung stopped filling up.

PM me if you have questions. Hugs. Pat