Pleural drain infection

[On_your_bike]

I am on the targeting drug Osimertinib which unfortunately gives me skin sensitivity. I have a pleural drain which was fine to begin with, but having commenced the target drug I have developed an infection in my drain site. I have taken several rounds of antibiotics, when I take the antibiotics I usually stop my targeting drug. The infection improves but doesn't fully clear and as soon as I stop the antibiotics and commence the targeting drug the infection comes back.

Has anyone else had problem with their drain site? I would like to ask my team to give me a low dose antibiotic to see if I could tolerate the drain as well as the drug.

I had a pleurodesis last week which has not worked, I am actually draining more fluid each day following the procedure. My team intended to remove my drain later this month but I do not want them to do this now.

Any similar experiences or suggestions welcome.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi

I am very sorry to hear you have recurrent or resistant infection in your drain site. If this has not been done already, it may be worth having this site swabbed so that anti-biotics are targeted for the appropriate infection rather than generalized antibiotics. Some infections are resistant to some antibiotics and of course your immune system may be compromised, so you are right that a discussion on antibiotics should be had with your medical team.

If you are concerned with excess drainage following your pleurodesis then you should also make your medical team aware of this. Perhaps you could consider contacting your Cancer Nurse Specialist. They are a great source of information and support.

All our information booklets can be found on this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

These range from diagnosis, staging of lung cancer, treatments and living with lung cancer. There is some information there about options for chest drainage and pleural complications.

You may find this link helpful helpful mypleuraleffusionjourney.com/

The best advice is to keep the area affected clean and dry and to take prescribed antibiotics to help fight the infection. A balanced diet can also help with wound healing and fighting infection, there are lot of recipe ideas online

wcrf-uk.org/wp-content/uplo...

macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

If there is anything you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

I hope things improve for you soon.

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Bow-19]

Just wondered if you know about the EGFR Facebook page, that’s if you have the EGFR mutation? Also wondered if it’s worth asking for a second opinion.

[On_your_bike in reply to Bow-19]

No I did not know about the Facebook page, thanks I will take a look. I am seeing consultant next week to discuss treatment and will consider asking for second opinion if plan does not work. Thanks.

[Bow-19]

egfrpositive.org.uk/

[Bow-19]

This is the link above its for the U.K. group. There is also a worldwide one with people from around the world.

Hope your appointment goes well. If not, worth asking for a second opinion. Am sure some people in the EGFR group will be able to recommend someone who specialises in EGFR.

Treatment does vary depending on the experience of the doctor who you see. Some doctors don’t see many patients with your type of lung cancer and so may not have the same level of expertise as others. As a patient I have experienced both ends of the spectrum and honestly believe that I wouldn’t still be here today without the expertise of current Consultant. You have nothing to loose by getting a second opinion if you think that might help.

It’s also so important to advocate for yourself and ask questions. I usually write a list of questions before I go to my appointment so that I don’t forget anything. I also take my partner to face to face appointments if I am having problems so that he can listen and ask questions as well. It might be worth asking how many EGFR patients your doctor sees.

Also given your concerns asking to see the Consultant at your next appointment and not a junior doctor as it’s probably best to get their opinion of your situation. Sometimes you aren’t told things unless you ask so it’s good to be clear on what you want to know before you go in.

Roy Castle also have a booklet about targeted therapies which is worth reading.

Hope some of this is useful. Wishing you all the best x

[Bow-19]

This is the worldwide EGFR group too egfrcancer.org/