Shortness of breath 4 hours after AC

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Oasis2016
Oasis2016 Member Posts: 52
edited October 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

hi all,

Anyone has shortness of breath after chemo and last for a couple of hours? This is my 3rd cycle of AC and each cycle I experienced it. Had done echo tests and all are normal. On my 3rd cycle I used an oximeter to check the oxygen level. Whenever I am falling asleep the 02 level will drop from 97 to 86. I'm really worried .

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited October 2016

    Hi Oasis, I had AC and I did not experience this. Have you tried measuring you level between the infusion cycles, let's say ten days after the infusion? Do you still see the same drop? I think oxygen levels in the blood are always lower during sleep.

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  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2016

    Hi muska,

    Strangely I only experienced this shortness of breath during these hours and each time I was woken up gasping for air. I don't think I fall asleep for more than a few minutes. I also noticed the 4 hours leading to this I had no urine even though I drank a lot. The moment after I can breathe normally, maybe like 7 hours later,I have to go toilet a few times. I had the impression my kidneys aren't working right after infusion till 7 hr later.

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  • Buttercup16
    Buttercup16 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2016

    have you told your provider about what you are experiencing? Some meds can cause a fluid build up around the lungs. I would suggest you call them today and discuss your symptoms so they can check it out for you. Let us know

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  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2016

    Hi Buttercup, i have informed my oncologist every time i experienced this. That's why echo tests were ordered before and after the 2nd cycle as I suspect my heart but results turned out to be ok. So it could be the lungs? My oncologist at first thought it could be me getting too stressed and urged me to take the sleeping pills to relax. I refused as I am quite sure it is not in my mind, I was sleeping and woke up gasping for air. And from that moment, I woke up gasping for air every time i fell asleep and lasted for a few hours till i broke out in cold sweat. And this time I got the oximeter to measure the oxygen level and it went down to 86%. Normal should be around 96% up. I will call my onco again as I missed her call back today. And I'm puzzled why I need not go toilet for so many hours even though i drank like 1 litre water from my last pee.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited October 2016

    Do you get steriods with your chemo? I did with my AC, and the steriods were very hard on me, gave me shortness of breath the first 24 hours. Ask your Onc about steriods perhaps? My Onc ordered them to be reduced and did help. Be sure to always discuss problem with your team, of course.

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