Shortness of Breath?

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Irishred
Irishred Member Posts: 136
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Has anyone else had this problem?  It seems to have started about the time I was done with rads.  I am so short of breath sometimes I just have to sit down.  I can bring in clothes from the dryer and fold them and I am totally out of breath, cant seem to get enough air in my lungs.  The rad onc's nurse did mention in the very beginning that a rare side effect is "radiation pneumonia".  Lord I hope I dont have that now.  Went to PCP last Fri and he gave me two breathing treatments and a steriod shot, put me on antibiotics and steriods. Not seeing much effect so far.  Will be seeing rad onc in a few days for my first check up since rads are done.  Would appreciate any input if you have had this experience.  Thanks

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2009

    Irishred, the lung does get some radiation, and some people get radiation pneumonitis--the timing is about right for you to get it. It usually goes away with steroids. Sometimes they'll get a chest xray to check it.

    About a month after radiation I had a weekend of lung soreness and congestion, and the rad onc checked a chest xray--which was clear. I have some mild asthma, so I used steroid inhaler for a week and it got better.

    Hope you get it checked out soon. Sounds like your PCP did all the right things.

    Kira 

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2009
    Haven't had that experience...but like Kira said above it does happen...I do get a cough now and then....hopefully you will clear up soon...maybe have someone else do the laundry?Kiss
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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    thanks for your input and support.  Apparently my PCP is much smarter than my rad onc.  I went to rad onc today,  all notes were written by nurse about the pcp visit and treatment and he never even mentioned it at all.  HELLO!  He did his little touchie here and touchie there and said, OK, we get you mammogram in a month or two and back here in 3 months  NOTHING ELSE!  AND THAT WAS AFTER I WAITED 2 HOURS  FOR A 3 MINUTE VISIT WHICH INCLUDED VITALS.  LORD GIVE ME STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH IDIOT DOCTORS.

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  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 403
    edited November 2009

    The last week of radiation I too had shortness of breath and then developed a cough and 103 fever.  After three days my husband insisted I go to the ER and sure enough they said pneumonia.  They gave me a breathing treatment, antibiotics, Tylenol, and cough syrup.  Then a week later I had an appointment with oncologist and she said it sounded like asthma and put me on steroids and two inhalers.  It has been a week and the cough is no better so I am back to the clinic tomorrow.  We are headed to the U.S. in one week and I don't want anything to mess that up.  Kathy

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    WOW , before I started radiation, i was told this was a "RARE' side effect, they had never expereince at this hospital,  yeah right.  Its not like regular pneumonia,  its more shortness of breath,  I could bring in the laundry basket of dry clothes and fold them and have to sit for an hour to catch my breath,  MY PCP is the one who treated me for it.  When I went to the rad onc today ( I gave the nurse all the details, etc.) HE NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IT TO ME ( AFTER I WAITED TWO DAMN HOURS).  I am so sick of these doctors. 

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    Please keep in touch and let me know how you are,  I also had antibiotics, steriods, inhalers and breathing treatments, But i did not have a fever at all.  Please let me know.  Hope it all gets better.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2009

    Irishred, if you're still short of breath, and the rad onc refused to deal with it, it makes sense to go back to your PCP, get evaluted, think about a chest x-ray and maybe a set of pulmonary function tests or a pulmonary doctor. Rarely radiation pneumonitis can get into something called radiation pulmonary fibrosis, and you don't want that.

     Hope you're feeling better.

    Kira

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    Thanks for your input,  I did have a chest xray and it was fine.  I started getting better while on antibiotics and steroids, I would say 70%.  Now that I am done with them,  I am noticing being more out of breath again.  WHO KNOWS !!!!  If nothing improves I will be going back to my PCP.  I might need another round of antibiotics. 

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  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited November 2009

    Irish -

    I've had the same symptoms - I have a strong history of respiratory problems since I was a baby - lots of asthma, pneumonia, that sort of stuff.  I had radiation therapy to the left breast and lung about 8 years ago and that was my "bad lung" to begin with.  I know you're doctored out right now, but I'd strongly advise you to see a good pulmonologist.  I finally did that a couple of years ago after being way over medicated by my primary care physician - he had me on a nebulizer and two other inhalers as well as prednisone and I still couldn't breath.  When I finally went to the pulmonoligist, he set me straight.  Plus, they can do a diagnostic on you that will eliminate any guess work about what the problem is related to. 

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  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 403
    edited November 2009

    Well back to the doc on Thursday.  He said there is a slight possiblity that I have fibrosis but that is very rare.  I got three more breathing treatments and he put me on Allegra and Singulair and some new cough meds and still on the inhalers.  Then went back on Friday and he said I sounded much better.  Had a bad day Saturday, but better today.  Back to the doctor tomorrow.  Just when you think it is getting easier.

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