Advanced lung cancer breathlessness

[Rach80]

Hi, my father has recently been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and given “months rather than years”. He’s coping well under the circumstances but the breathlessness is becoming very worrying, esp the speed in which it’s worsening. He’s been given liquid morphine to help but is finding the nausea quite bad (even with anti sickness tablets). Does anyone have any recommendations for how we can manage the breathlessness a bit better? Nothing has been said about oxygen, might that be worth mentioning to nurses? Thank you x

[Peppercat10]

I have metastatic cervical cancer that has traveled to my lungs (my lungs is the only place in my body with active cancer/tumors) and I am currently on hospice. I also take morphine for breathlessness. I have found that the liquid morphine does makes me nauseated too and I sometimes would vomit. What I have found that works much better for me is MORPHINE SULFATE 15MG ER (extended release) pills, also knows as MS CONTIN. I get the breathing relief without any nausea. I just have to stay on top of stool softeners or Miralax because it does cause constipation (especially for me, who has had pelvic radiation at max strength). I am in the US, but hopefully your father's doctor can prescribe him some, it makes a huge difference for me. I don't have any advice on oxygen even though I have tanks because I am too afraid to use it since the chemo's and avastin I was last on caused me to have horrible nose bleeds and I know the oxygen can trigger them. So sorry about your father.

[Rach80 in reply to Peppercat10]

Thank you so much for your response. I will definitely get this medication mentioned to the doctors, it sounds like it could be very helpful. I’m so sorry to hear of your story too and wish you every bit of luck and peace. Thank you xx

[Peppercat10 in reply to Rach80]

Thank you so much for your kind words, please keep me posted (if you want) on how your father is doing.

[ginkgo]

I have advanced lung cancer and suffer with breathlessness on the slightest exertion. I am not receiving any treatment for the cancer, but do have oxygen at home. The oxygen does not stop the breathlessness, but it makes recovery easier and quicker. I bought one of those oximeters that is placed on a finger to monitor the % of oxygen in my blood and it has been very helpful. If you keep a record of your oxygen levels then regular low readings should result in him being given oxygen. I hope he gets better help as I know how frightening it can be.

[Rach80 in reply to ginkgo]

Thank you so much for your reply, that’s really helpful. I’m so sorry to hear you’re in a similar situation.

[JanetteR57]

breathlessness can have a number of causes not just respiratory disorders so do ensure he's checked out - often when a patient has one condition it can slow investigations for others but can also be infection, virus, heart or other causes - not every symptom we experience when diagnosed with lung cancer is related to that as we can still be prone to develop/contract infections/viruses etc.

I had my upper left lobe removed in Dec 2010 for lung cancer yet initially recovered well but when I have any chest infection (and I've had some serious ones since 2015) my breathlessness makes my partner think I'm not long for this world yet with appropriate medication it usually improves.

Does he have a nebuliser? inhalers? it may be relieved with other things than oxygen - I can often be breathless despite my Apple Watch saying my oxygen levels are fine on the pulse oximeter so it's better to see what triggers the breathlessness. is it all exertion? stairs/steps/incline? walking on the level/flat? something else? bending? noting anything specific that triggers it can help medics determine the best treatment. it can also help to practice breathing exercises as most of us even without respiratory conditions don't use our lungs properly and respiratory physiotherapy or pulmonary rehabilitation may also help... hope this helps in the meantime... good luck. roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

[Rach80 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much for your reply and all your helpful suggestions 💚

[Keepingstrong]

A couple of things that may help that no one seems to mention is getting your lymphatic system moving through the body. This should help stop fluids building up in the chest. He can use a rebounder 20 minutes a day or a vibrating plate. My husband uses the vibrating plate. Try to keep inflammation down in the body. This can be done through food and supplements. Also what really works well is a Rife machine. We use one called Spooky 2. It helps with so many things including breathing, inflammation, cancer and cancer pain and so much more. We bought one almost a year ago and use it everyday. Hope this helps.

[Rach80 in reply to Keepingstrong]

Thank you so much, I shall look into those machines and pass the info along to my Dad 💚

[JLOD2023]

sorry to hear your dad is poorly. My dad had a small hand fan which he used when feeling breathless, it helped him catch his breath as the cool air blew on his face.

It would be worth speaking to your dads lung nurse too, my Dad had a pulmonary embolism caused by his lung cancer which was also contributing to his breathlessness. They were able to treat it with medication and it did help his symptoms.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Rach80

So sorry to hear about yours Father’s lung cancer. This will be a very worrying time for you all. I see you have had some great advice from other forum members. We would also always advise that any symptom escalation be discussed with your Father’s medical team as there are numerous options for pain relief and nausea control and for symptom management too. This would include some of the ideas mentioned by other forum members. We would echo Janette’s advice that it’s important to find the cause and determine the correct course of treatment. Your father should have been allocated a Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse and she will be a great source of information and advice. I have attached a direct link to our booklet on Managing Lung Cancer Symptoms which your father may find helpful.

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

In addition all our information leaflets can be found here:

roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

These range from diagnosis, staging of lung cancer, treatments and living with lung cancer. Paper copies of these are available on request.

It is important that your father gets support, in addition to this forum, here are some other options for this. We have a range of support services, from one to one support to online support groups through zoom , if you are interested in any of these you can register through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... Or by emailing [e-mail]

Our campaign section provides encouraging accounts from those living with lung cancer: roycastle.org/campaigns/

The Maggie’s centres are a great place to have a cuppa and a chat, they provide practical, financial and emotional support; maggies.org/

If there is anything else 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 your Father gets some symptom relief soon. All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Beccaf]

hi Rach80, I’m so sorry to hear this. I feel I am in the same boat as you, my father has also recently been diagnosed and they have said there is nothing they can do but keep him comfortable. He also is incredibly breathless.

The nurses have been amazing, he has been given oxygen which is helping, he has a portable one and one by the bed. They have also fitted a stairlift for him so that he can get outdoors easily.

It’s such a tough time and I hope you are all coping as well as you can be