Lung cancer

[susandewbery]

Hi my name is Sue had lung cancer in 2010:had half of my lung remove had nothing but chest infection since

[JanetteR57]

Hi Sue,

I had half my lung removed in Dec 2010 and had a lot of chest infections since. Personally I think some of the problem is that doctors are quick to prescribe steroids ( I seem to need higher and higher doses of them) which reduce our immune system leaving us susceptible to infections so it's one of those vicious cycles. The medics are understandably focused on getting our breathing stable and under control worrying less about the longer term effects of such medications. Mine seem to come in seasons - i.e. usually one before Xmas, one after Xmas and always one (usually the worst one) around June and another in autumn so I asked for allergy tests in case something was triggering them. Nothing showed up that I wasn't aware of (I'd been tested at 14 and 25) but as I've been told one time it was pneumonia, another time a HealthCare Acquired Infection resistant to antibiotics (probably picked up in the hospital whilst there with pneumonia) and other times I haven't hasn't been tested for what it is. I try to keep active as can so it doesn't inhibit my life.

It's worth noting if there is anything in common when you develop these - time of year? been near anything that could trigger it - fur? mould spores? pollen? This year more people than ever have been impacted by high pollen counts as the weather caused all kinds of plants, trees and grass to pollinate at the same time triggering a massive increase of sustained pollen which can trigger respiratory issues in people with weak immune systems. I've just gone back through diaries (as I've been referred to a new chest physician) who asked me for more details and there are less noted down than I remember. Sometimes they take several weeks to recover from. This year I've taken antihistamines continuously since Easter (had a violent swollen face reaction to something) and a couple of short courses of prednisolone and so far, seem to have avoided the usual 'June' worsening that has hospitalised me each year. Worth asking your doctor if you can be referred to a chest physician to investigate further in case there is an underlying cause such as asthma or COPD or allergic response. good luck.

[susandewbery in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks for that I have asthma the doctor s never said why I get them

[JanetteR57 in reply to susandewbery]

Given that, probably best for you to have a 'flu jab each year. are you on inhalers for your asthma? probably worth a conversation when you next see the nurse or doctor about your asthma. one really big downside is that everytime we have anything wrong with us or any symptom after a cancer diagnosis is that we automatically assume it's related to the cancer - more often than not, it isn't but it's hard to stop our minds thinking that. I found a book really helpful in explaining this called 'cancer is a word not a sentence' by Dr Rob Buckman. Hope you get some relief from the infections soon as they can take a long time to recover from.