Lung and bone mets what I don't know

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Polyana
Polyana Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am reaching out to all those who had lung or bone mets to help me understand better my situation

I am stage 3b, and had my last 3 month check-up this Jan. My next follow-up is in April. Long time ago and since I was on cancer treatment I use to complain from rapid heart beat, and difficulty breathing which the onco related to my chemo and anxiety. It all went to normal once I finsihed treatment. My heart beat went back to normal, and so my breathing. I experienced the breathing thing again when I went back for my check-up, and my radiation onco asked to do chest X-Ray which showed polmunary changes due to radiation treatment, a leniar scar, and a 0.5 cm nodule. But the report said this is likely the affect of radiation changes.

My onco was not concerned, and said this is a report that says nothing, and probably when I am back we will repeat the test. It is worth mentioning that my CA markers are always very low, when I go for my medical check-up

Now a days I don't know if its my mind or not, I keep thinkling and worry about that report, I had several sever panic and anxiety attacks. I feel I am short of breath and have tightness in my chest. When I went to the clinic after an episode of PA, the doctor said nothing wrong with my kungs, my oxygen is OK!

I want to ask:

Is it a must that you feel symptoms or not, 

Did any one experience polumonary changes and was due to radiation?

Is it common to have single nodules that are small? Can they dissappear?

How does it feel when you have difficulty breathing? Is it like having asthma?

Now a days, I also feel tired, and as if I need message or accuapuncture. I feel that my muscles tight up? Now I got worried about bone mets, is that a symptom or normally you have to feel pain.

PLEASE HELP ME WITH YOUR ADVISE, SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE, AS I AM AWAY AND WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL BACK FOR MY APPOINTMENT, WHERE I AM LACKS PROFFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE THAT IS WHY I AM WORRIED.

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  • Helmie
    Helmie Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2012

    Hi Polyana, I have lung mets, and bone mets. The lung mets were dx first in Jan 2010 with a PET/CT. I did not have any symptoms. Further scans confirmed multiple nodules in my right lung. My left lung showed changes from Rad treatments, but were otherwise clear. You should probably ask your onc to have at least a CAT-scan with contrast, which would show if you have anything to worry about. An X-ray does not really work to dx lung mets. 
    In Jan 2011 I was dx with bone mets, with the help of a PET/CT as well. They followed up with a bone scan of course, which only confirmed the dx. Anyway, I also had no symptoms from the bone mets either, but by the end of 2010 I had symptoms from the lung mets. My lung kept filling up with fluid, which made breathing tougher, and sometimes painful. I had to have my right lung drained several times during 2011, and already twice in this year. 
    I have pain mostly in my right upper back area. I'm not sure, if that is caused by the lung mets, or the bone mets. 
    I usually have CAT-scans every 3 months, and PET-scans every 6 months. If my onc sees progression, I have to switch treatments. I'm on a new chemo now since Jan. So far so good. TMs have come down, and I will know more if this new tx works after my next scans in March.

    Hope this info will help you. I think, you definitely should ask your onc to order a CAT-scan at least.

    Good luck,
    Helmie 

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  • eag1954
    eag1954 Member Posts: 334
    edited February 2012

    Hey Polyana.  I was having severe trouble breathing.  I went to my dr. appointment and was immediately sent to the emergency room by ambulance.  I could barely walk up stairs though.  Got to the hospital and after a chest xray was admitted to the hospital.  They were trying to rule out TB.  Sad to say would have rather had it than stage IV cancer.  They found that I had pneumonia and the flu at the same time.  Initially I was on O2..only need it now if I really exert myself. 

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  • eag1954
    eag1954 Member Posts: 334
    edited February 2012

    Oh I agree with Helmie..they did a CT scan and thats how the lung mets was determined.

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited February 2012

    I did have an xray that showed pulmonary changes as a result of radiation.  I didn't have any symptoms as a result and, as far as I know, I do not have lung mets.  I was dx'd with asthma about 3 years after I finished tx., and most of the time, I don't even realize that I am short of breath.  I just feel as if I need to sit down. If I check my oxygen levels, they are low.

    As for bone mets, mine were discovered when my tumor markers went up, and my onc ordered a bone scan.  Right around that time, I had started to have a slight pain in my hip.  

    I hope you get some answers.  It can take awhile to feel yourself again after treatment.  It took me more than a year before I felt better emotionally.  Good luck!

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  • Polyana
    Polyana Member Posts: 200
    edited February 2012

    Oh, by the way, mine was a CT scan without contrast cause I have allergy to contrast dyes

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