Long Way from Home with a cough - worried about metastasis

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waltingmatilda
waltingmatilda Member Posts: 3
edited January 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello There

I am two years out from diagnosis at 41 – Stage 111a; triple positive (very high oestrogen, inconclusive HER2) and one year since the end of treatment - chemo, Herceptin, mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, currently on tamoxifen. The year since finishing treatment has been a mix of relief and moving on, then moments of panic. I see my breast surgeon and oncologist every 3-6 months and they say I'm doing fine.

I live in the USA but am currently visiting Australia until late January. For the last 3 weeks, I've had a tickle in my throat that comes and goes. It makes me clear my throat a lot and occasionally cough. When I stop and think about my breathing, I can't always breathe deeply and I have the sensation that it's harder to breathe.

Other times, I hike and jump on the trampoline with my kids, go about my daily business and don't feel any tickle or breathlessness. When I am resting, do breathing exercises/guided meditation and have no difficulty with deep breathing or the tickle in my throat.

I don't know if I'm imagining things or if this is the beginning of lung metastasis. As I'm a long way from my doctors, I'm worrying about it even more and convincing myself that this is the beginning of something, that this will be my last Christmas/New Year with the family etc, etc. My mind is running away with me and I don't have anyone to talk to about my fears. In the US, I can talk to counsellors over the phone but haven't been able to find this service in Australia.

It would be great to hear from someone who knows about lung metastasis or can offer me any advice about dealing with worries.

Thanks so much!

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2017

    Hi

    Is Australia a dry climate? I live in a very dry climate and will sometimes have the same symptoms. The more I worry about it the worse it gets!! What helps is taking an allergy pill like Clairtin. That usually clears things up. Good luck !!


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  • waltingmatilda
    waltingmatilda Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2017

    Hi Shoppygirl

    I'm not in a dry climate but it is summer so heaps of pollen flying around and my parents' place is dusty and sitting in a big old garden. I'll try the Claritin idea, thanks!


    You're right about it getting worse with worry. I can't figure out if if the problem is my lungs/throat or that I'm anxious which plays havoc with my breathing.

    Thanks again

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited January 2017

    Hi waltingmatilda. I am Australian and the cough and throat tickle you are describing sounds like a bug that is going around. I has taken me a month to get over it. My husband and other friends have also had the same thing. It is of course worth getting it checked out for your peace of mind. You can find a nearby medical practice and see a GP.

    1800 022 222 is a free direct health line you can call. It will get you through to a nurse, if they think it is necessary they can put you through to a Dr.


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  • xxyzed
    xxyzed Member Posts: 230
    edited January 2017

    There is also the Cancer Council that can assist with support. The number is 131120.

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  • waltingmatilda
    waltingmatilda Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2017

    Thanks for all your replies. It's nice to hear some reassuring voices and useful info!

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  • Brightsky
    Brightsky Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2017

    I am having the exact same symptoms. My cough is mostly dry, but sometimes a little productive. It comes is spurts, but when it starts its hard to get it to stop. I also feel a heaviness in my chest when I breathe sometimes. Occasionally I feel a weird sensation, not exactly pain but a feeling that I associate with bronchitis. It's in my right upper chest. I know that I have a small lung nodule in my RUL. It was looked at twice, 4 months apart. They said it didn't grow during that time but I was getting chemo...so, I thought maybe that's why it didn't grow! It has not been scanned in over a year. I question my symptoms constantly. It makes me feel crazy like a hypochondriac. I try to ignore them and wait for my follow-up appointments which are 3 month so apart. My symptoms always seem to improve immediately before my check-ups so I tell my docs, "everything is fine!" then things seem to get worse right after :-) The whole thing freaking sucks!!
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    I hope your cough is improving.

    I also just wanted to mention how awesome it is to have so many supportive people from around the world here. Halfway around the glode, nad there are awesome folks telling you exactly what you need to do to get care.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2017

    👍👍👍

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