I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer 3 yrs ago I did rad.and chemo.I seem to be short of breath a lot more than before is this normal?

[tinaamiller]

Shortness of breath/ lung cancer

[JanetteR57]

I would suggest seeking an appointment with your doctor. Any change in breathing could be due to a number of things as I've found out lately - having found myself in the same position (but had lung surgery to remove half my left lung 8 years ago) and have been sent for lung function and heart tests after I was hospitalised in January in isolation with a respiratory virus that has left me much worse than I've been in years. I also changed an inhaler in January (to Fostair) and having had 2 puffs morning and night every day for almost 5 months, decided this and the virus were the only things that had changed for me yet I was debilitated to the point of not really being able to work, walk or swim as usual. After several tests and still undergoing investigation, I read the leaflet with the inhaler for side effects and breathlessness/heart irregularities were side effects. In discussion with my GP and respiratory consultant, I stopped the inhaler (a preventer) for 2 weeks to see if I improved. I did. I've now reverted to my old inhaler (but a lower dose) and gradually things are improving. Your changed symptoms could be infection, viral, allergy, weather differences or something else so always worth getting checked out, especially with a lung cancer history. hope they get to the bottom of it soon.

[Getalife18]

Hi Tina it could definitely be side affects and also from the radiation you can get pneumonitis which shows on X-ray and symptoms as respiratory infection or pneumonia. It’s actually inflammation. The only treatment is high doses of steroids for 3-4 weeks and retest to see if you need more. But this does work. You didn’t say but hopefully your doctors have looked into this.

[KimGO2 Partner]

Hi tinaamiller,

Glad you reached out to us. Any new change in how you feel needs to be communicated to your healthcare professional. Reach out and let them know of your new onset of shortness of breath.

Sending you hugs!

Kim

[tinaamiller in reply to KimGO2]

Thanks Kim, I am going to see him next week. Hoping and praying for good results. Trying to keep the faith

[katherineNED in reply to tinaamiller]

I had the same symptoms last year and went to my pulmonologist. The radiation I had done a couple of years ago gave me radiation pneumonitis and that caused scaring in my lung. She did a lung function test and determined I have COPD or Emphysema from the scaring and my lungs weren't able to expand because of it. She prescribed an inhalant and that has helped. See your pulmonologist and get a lung function test.

[Ncpoet]

I am glad you are seeing your doctor. When I was having trouble breathing, it was pneumonia. By seeing doctor, it was diagnosed early and started on treatment right away. Let us know how you are doing after your appointment.

Judy