Immunotherapy

[petrabbit]

I have had 18 doses of immunotherapy and will have a further dose scheduled for 2 January. I am coping very well. I was expecting 36!doses in all. But I am positive and active but can’t climb stairs or hills without getting out of puff!! The oncologist is talking about stopping it and giving me a rest !! Trouble is when I rested after 33 doses chemotherapy and four weeks dose of radiotherapy. I had to undergo a major operation to remove a tumour which had appeared!! We shall see how this goes. Kind regards pet rabbit

[Denzie]

Have they diagnosed or considered pneumonitis? It’s like pneumonia but it doesn’t need a virus or bacteria. It is a known side effect of immigrants immunotherapy.

[Manninmaid]

Is this a new problem since you have been on immunotherapy and is that the reason for the suggestion of a rest? I ask as I have had two years on immunotherapy and before that had radiotherapy and chemo but have been breathless walking up inclines and to some degree stairs ever since I was first diagnosed in 2016. This has never stopped treatment in my case. Wishing you well and sending positive thoughts. 🌻🌸🌺x

[DMR1]

Hi Petrabbit. You have been through it! I too am v breathless after 3 weeks of chemo and 6 weeks of radio although it was really only after a bout of pleural effusion that it got bad. Walking on the flat is ok but I have to rest on inclines and the stairs. I have been told that it is due to the effects of radiotherapy damaging the lung tissue. No one has suggested anything to help. when I wake up in the night my breathing is very noisy - a singing noise and bubbling except when I lay on my right side (my left lung had the tumour)

I am swing my oncologist soon so I will ask him and report back!

Enjoy being alive

Wishing you a happy Xmas/New Year

[Denzie in reply to DMR1]

Ask about pulmonary rehabilitation. It’s not standard of care for cancer patients but it should be. Even if you didn’t have chemo or radiation there is scar tissue where the cancer used to be. The lung cannot regenerate.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

It is good to hear that you are coping well with your immunotherapy and it is not unusual to temporarily stop this if the goal is to manage side effects or to give the body time to recover then it may be restarted.

Perhaps have a chat to your lung cancer nurse specialist about why it is being stopped, and when you are likely to restart it.

If you wish to discuss anything else you can call our Freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 or email us at [e-mail]

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team