Anyone survive pleural effusion?

[Faith1111]

My brother has just had one thing after another these last two months. He has been getting weaker and he’s short of breath and has developed a cough. His voice is very hoarse. His wife looked back at his last scan and it revealed a large plural effusion of the right lung and a moderate one in the left. His doctor did not say anything about it. This past week we have noticed symptoms. The visiting nurse has listened to his chest twice and told us that she hears nothing. Now, the weekend is here, his doctor is on vacation and we have nowhere to turn. Of course Monday is a holiday. Sorry to vent it is just all so stressful. Any information would be appreciated. Faith

[Ramp7]

Have you contacted Dana Farber, Dr. Beltron.

[Faith1111 in reply to Ramp7]

She is on vacation this week

[j-o-h-n]

Do a search here on H U for "pleural effusion" and you will find many posts regarding this subject. Say hello to Robert....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 02/19/2022 6:23 PM EST

[Faith1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I searched found only 2 posts

[j-o-h-n in reply to Faith1111]

Here are some I found with a limited search, more on site!!!

Unfortunately you'll have to separate the wheat from the chaff.....

Pleural effusion post second round(18 cycles) of Taxotere

The recent scan does not show any mets but there was only this pleural effusion in lungs.

caretkr profile image

caretkr

in Advanced Prostate Cancer

2 months ago

New diagnosis

A scan in November has shown a cancer in her scar tissue which has spread to the pleural cavity and she has a pleural effusion. We have been told that it is not treatable. We can't understand how it has been missed after regular scans and are shell shocked by the diagnosis.

TAstar profile image

TAstar

in British Lung Foundation

1 month ago

Pleural effusion

Looking for reasons of pleural effusion apart from tuberculosis. Any help appreciated.

Swamy21 profile image

Swamy21

in NRAS

8 months ago

Pleural drainage

If so, did the pleural effusion reoccur after the completion of thedrainage? I had a drainage installed on Wednesday. Boy oh boy, what a nightmare it has been so far. Would appreciate any input in the subject.

EZSZ profile image

EZSZ

in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6 months ago

Pleura effusion

Morning all, I’ve got a pleural effusion on my right lung. It was partially drained on Thursday via pleura tap and I’ll go again Monday to drain more. In a week or so I’m due to start weekly taxol with bevacizumab every 2 weeks. Has anyone had a similar issue?

Horsesrock profile image

Horsesrock

in My Ovacome

3 months ago

Surgery

I have been told that my CT scan has shown a complete resolution of ascites, decrease in the omental nodularity as well as the adnexal mass and also decreased right pleural effusion and a confirmed good response to chemotherapy. This is good isn’t it? Lots of love and hugs Sheenagh

SEckett profile image

SEckett

in My Ovacome

5 months ago

Anyone developed a Pulmonary Embolism while stimming?

So I am just out of hospital after suffering severe hyper stimulation syndrome after my egg collection last week, which also left me with a PE and pleural effusion! Just wondered if anyone else had had this happen?

Fairsy2021 profile image

Fairsy2021

in Fertility Network UK

4 months ago

Bronchovascular lung markings / interstitial changes

There is no appreciable pleural effusion. There is no pneumothorax."

British_Pluck profile image

British_Pluck

in British Lung Foundation

8 months ago

Pleural effusion

CA125 went down after pleural effusion drainage? Mother is scheduled for PE thoracentesis next week. Is it possible that CA125 will go down after fluid drainage?

Hope4allG profile image

Hope4allG

in My Ovacome

9 months ago

Third pleural effusion in 2 weeks..

Hi....I have just had my third pleural effusion in 2 weeks. All in all they drained out about 5 ltrs of fluid. I know that pleural effusions often return, but I hadn´t imagined them to return that quickly. Has that ever happened to you before? What did your doctors recommend?

Tinita profile image

Tinita

in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

7 months ago

First appointment with rheumatologist

I have painful joints, fatigue and a pleural effusion and I continue to work which is immense effort at the moment as I’m so tired. He said he’ll keep a watchful eye and then if it gets more aggressive will consider treatment.

Sarahze profile image

Sarahze

in LUPUS UK

3 months ago

Pain when taking a deep breath

This scared me as I am wondering if the pleural effusion is back . I am going away tomorrow for a week to Northumberland shall take all my meds . Just wondering if anybody else has issues taking a deep breath when PMR flares up

PMRnovice profile image

PMRnovice

in PMRGCAuk

9 months ago

Faslodex

My PET scan showed three new areas that have metastasized plus pleural effusion. I've been on Letrizole for 2 1/2 years and it obviously has stopped working. My oncologist is switching me to Faslodex injections. What can I expect for side effects? Is anyone familiar with this treatment?

Gram10 profile image

Gram10

in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

10 months ago

Weight gain with Rubraca

Always bothers me in case I have any ascites or pleural effusion and fluid is causing weight gain, tho I feel alright. Scales are ok

Lizzieanne profile image

Lizzieanne

in My Ovacome

10 months ago

COVID while on targeted therapy

The thing is, when she was firstly diagnosed, she had malignant pleural effusion. They drained it and I think they put some medicine there (sorry for my lack of knowledge on this topic).

Uniquem profile image

Uniquem

in My Ovacome

5 months ago

Worried

I am newly diagnosed and also suffered a small pleural effusion . My worry is my inflammatory markers are still high crf is 200 and esr 70 . On 15mg of prednisone but wake up at 4.30am every night in pain with shoulders. Still hurting to take a deep breath .

PMRnovice profile image

PMRnovice

in PMRGCAuk

10 months ago

lupus diagnosis

My main issue is a a long standing pleural effusion. GP has no information and has said wait for a hospital appt. It just seems like a long wait not knowing whether I have it or not.

Sarahze profile image

Sarahze

in LUPUS UK

9 months ago

Why am I so breathless.?

I had a pleural effusion previously so was glad to rule that out. Could it be caused by the carbo/ caelyx? Thank you ladies Christine

Duskygem profile image

Duskygem

in My Ovacome

9 months ago

pleural effusion coursed by liver cirrhosis , Any experience .?

pleural effusion coursed by liver cirrhosis , Any experience .?

Longan profile image

Longan

in British Liver Trust

1 year ago

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Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/20/2022 10:35 PM EST

[Faith1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thank you so much John for all of your research. I appreciate your time and effort. He is in the hospital now as we are dealing with this.

[Tall_Allen]

If he has trouble breathing, I hope you won't hesitate to go to urgent care. A sonogram should show it. I was going to write the ER, but with Covid-19 he may be better off not going there if he can avoid it.

[Faith1111 in reply to Tall_Allen]

We thought about urgent care but figured they’d sent us to the ER. Bob has no interest in lining up waiting 22 hours to be seen.

[Yadifan]

You and your brother have been heavy on my mind and included in my prayers. He's been through so much. Hope you get some answers and help.

[Faith1111 in reply to Yadifan]

Thank you for yor concern. I am devastated right now. Trying to deal with all of this. It is too much

[NickJoy]

Faith I think the lady who writes about 'my Jeff' has some experience of this. Maybe she could give u some advice but really I think TA is right and a Dr needs to be involved ASAP if there is a way to get one with out too much exposure to covid.

[Faith1111 in reply to NickJoy]

Thank you so much for your reply. I agree that he should be seen. He is so sick of tests and hospitals. He is overwhelmed and scared. It is really rough right now for all of us.

[marc_andersun]

My first grandchild just spent one month in NICU with chylothorax (when lymphatic system liquids leaks into the chest cavity). It was noticed due to low oxygen at 82%, and xray showed plural effusion (usually on the right side).

In the case of chylothorax, special diets can reduce the fluids in the lymph system, allowing healing. In any case, make sure his oxygen level is monitored.

[Faith1111 in reply to marc_andersun]

Thank you for your reply. That is just horrible about a young child. Life can be cruel. My prayers for this child’s recovery. Thank you for your reply. Never thought about monitoring oxygen. Will definitely do. Thank you.

[DenDoc]

Faith, it really depends on the cause of the pleural effusion. If it is heart failure or inflammatory there are different approaches. Mine was a malignant pleural effusion 4 years ago. Acutely, they can drain it with a needle and syringe. Your brother will be able to breathe much more easily. It can recur depending on the cause.In my case they put in an in dwelling catheter in my left chest and we were removing at least a liter every 3 days. After my chemo the effusions decreased and now are completely gone for the past 3 years. I had the catheter for 7 months and it was a bit of a bother for showers, etc.

To avoid the 22 hour wait, just go in and say he has chest pain and can’t breathe. I guaranty you it will be a quick trip into an acute care bed in the ED. They pay a lot of attention to people with chest pain!

I also live in Denver so I am more prone to being short of breath at this altitude. I discovered my effusion when I stepped off a plane from Mexico and suddenly could not breathe normally.

This is generally a treatable condition but probably represents some underlying problem.

I hope he can get relief. It is frightening to be that short of breath.

[Faith1111 in reply to DenDoc]

Thank you so much for your reply. It gives me hope that you had this four years ago. When I read about it, it is a bit more dire. Hopefully he can get this under control and then start his chemo March 9 which is scheduled. It’s just that he’s been through so much and this is another hurdle. I have read that it’s very rare in prostate cancer. Thank you again, I wish you good health.

[dentaltwin in reply to Faith1111]

Like DenDoc my late wife had malignant pleural effusions (lung cancer). Drawing it out with a needle (pleurocentesis) is a quick effective way to remove fluid (and incidentally biopsy to confirm the cause). Also like DenDoc, she had a catheter placed (PleurX) to draw off fluid if it re-collects rapidly. There is another procedure called pleurodesis which can be used which we did not opt for. Agree that you should make clear to whomever you speak to that this is urgent--good luck!

[Grumpyswife]

I know the stress and hopelessness. However, there are several posts on here that show up on the right side of the screen regarding pleural effusion. When you click on one it leads to many other people posting as well about relief after having drainage and drain tube placement. Prayers for you and your family.

[Faith1111 in reply to Grumpyswife]

Thank you for always replying. I will check that out.

[TonyS58]

Call his oncologist's office and ask to speak to the oncologist on-call. I've been fighting fluid in my lungs since June. The difficulty breathing and persistent cough started to clear when my pulmonologist and cardiologist put me on torsemide in December.

[Faith1111 in reply to TonyS58]

Thank you Tony. I sent this to Bobs wife. We will definitely talk to Dr. Beltran about this. Bob does not have any heart issues and I believe his is caused because of the cancerous cells infiltrating the tissue around his lungs. Hopefully we can get this under control

[TonyS58 in reply to Faith1111]

Faith, I don't have any heart issues either. I was on Decadron for several months because the tumor in my sacrum was putting pressure on the nerves to my legs. In June, I had a bad anaphylactic reaction to Docetaxel. After that, I started accumulating fluid in my lungs.

[TonyS58 in reply to TonyS58]

My PCP was concerned that I had so much fluid on board and wanted to rule out congestive heart failure, so he sent me to a cardiologist who ruled out heart issues and put me on the diuretic.

[Faith1111 in reply to TonyS58]

Thank you for clarifying that. I am hopeful that something like this can be done for Bobby. Thank you again for letting us know what worked for you. We’re definitely going to mention it to his doctors. So much appreciated

[TonyS58 in reply to Faith1111]

I accidentally confused the fluid inside the lung with the pleural effusion (fluid outside the lung). I apologize. I've had both and the treatment for the pleural effusion was to drain the fluid with a syringe. It's not as bad as it sounds and can give instant relief.

[Faith1111 in reply to TonyS58]

Certainly it all gets confusing after a while!! Yes we are hoping this is what can be done. He is at ER now

[TonyS58 in reply to Faith1111]

I wish him luck. The last year has been so busy for me I can't keep it all straight.

[TonyS58]

Faith, my oncologist had originally prescribed Lasix. When I saw my lung doctor, she increased the dose, then after my cardiac workup, the cardiologist switched me to Torsemide which is a stronger diuretic.

[Curehunter]

Hi Faith1111You just have to take each day as it comes. As you know I am in a similar position. Since my spinal operation, I have been paralysed from waist down and over two months in hospital. Whilst in hospital, I have caught Covid, then hospital acquired pneumonia in my left lung. I am told my infection has cleared but all the improvements I made with physio have been lost and can't move either of my legs. Doctors don't know the reason but h

I have been getting weaker in hospital. Nowhere I am waiting for a PSMA scan to see whether I am suitable for Lu-177 treatment. Will find out next week. Just have to have some hope to carry on.

[Faith1111]

Dear God, you poor soul. To hear the hope and optimism in your voice after all you have been through is admirable. I agree, one day at a time. It’s all any of us really have anyway isn’t it? I wish you healing and some good news in regards to LU. Thank you so much for your reply Curehunter.