What do lung mets feel like?

Options
tessu
tessu Member Posts: 1,564
edited July 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

What do lung mets feel like? Can you get them only 8 mos. after last Herceptin?

My last Herceptin was in the beginning of 11/2016. At surgery my nodes were clean. I've had the gradually increasing feeling that it's a bit hard to breathe, for almost two months now. Also, I cough sometimes in Pilates in head-down positions. I still can push myself on my exercise bike, and my heart checked out ok one month after last Herceptin (ejection fraction just above 60%), my blood pressure is fine, no ankle swelling, and a nurse friend listened to my lungs and said they are clear (asked her if it sounded like astma. I've had so many "false alarms" that my husband (and probably the docs also) are a bit sick of my complaining. So I'm afraid to make a big deal out of this, Also, here in Finland, non-emergency med stuff is shifted until August if at all possible, because pretty much everybody who can be, is on summer vacation; the docs there are mostly those still in training. Thanks for listening. We are leaving for vacation next week; if this keeps up, I'll probably at least call the clinic and ask what they think. But I'd like to hear first whether this "not getting quite enough oxygen" feeling could be what mets feel like.

Thank you for listening.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited June 2017

    A pleural effusion could cause the symptoms you describe which would most likely be found on a CT, although sometimes they show up on a Xray.  They can be caused by many things besides mets, like pneumonia.  It is also called water on the lungs because the extra fluid takes up lung space that you need to breathe.  Larger effusions can also be found by a dr. listening to your chest.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2017

    If it continues to concern you, do get it checked

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited June 2017

    I had 50 lung mets and really could not even tell it. I have a touch of asthma but didn't feel much different at all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited June 2017

    Thanks for your comments. I called the ER nurse, and she said yes come in. 4 hours total, very friendly nurses, xray techs, lab techs, and doctor. No answer as to what's causing the breathing difficulties and chest pain, but dangerous stuff ruled out. No pleural effusion, no pneumonia, heart film and bloods ok, also blood test for blood clots completely normal. Only had a regular chest x ray, but the doc said to call my oncologist during the week if the symptoms continue, for possible further testing. Still not feeling well, but am a lot less scared now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2017

    Hoping you feel better soon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited June 2017

    Thanks, KBeee.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • siddhivinayak
    siddhivinayak Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2017

    My mom is a tnbc stage 3 BC survivor.She had CAT scan of abdomen and pelvis last month because she was experiencing some pain during urinarion and passing bowels Although everything is clear but she got a 4mm nodule in upper part of RIGHT lung and she had breast cancer on LEFT side.Is it a cause of concern for her?? Her radiologist was not concerned about that????What should be done to rule out any discrepancy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited July 2017

    Most lung nodules are benign, even in women with breast cancer.  That is likely why the radiologist is not very concerned.  They will keep an eye on it in future scans to see if it changes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories