why after the op did we suffer from s... - Oesophageal & Gas...
why after the op did we suffer from short of breath?? do we need to expand our lungs a few times to help ourselves?
Hi, I too suffered shortness of breath, but almost two years on things are much better. Don't know about you but my stomach is higher in my chest and when I have exerted myself and am breathing deeper I feel as if there isn't enough room in my chest for my stomach and lungs, which used to make me panic a little as I felt I couldn't get a deep breath, it still happens but I don't panic the same. My physio gave me deep breathing exercises to do as she said I was breathing very shallow
It still amazes me how much this surgery has changed my life, and I am sure Alan will explain it all to us in a much better way :-))
Best wishes to you
Edwina X
After my op I was told it was very important to expand my lungs to their full extent and keep doing it as during our types of ops, the lungs can either be deflatted deliberately or by chance and its important to keep excercising the lungs to their full extent. Everybody should do this anyway. I think the expression "use it or loose it" fits well.
Apart from anything else the surgery involves collapsing one of your lungs and then re-inflating it, so this sometimes takes the lungs a while to recover from. If there has been any infection, this can cause extra recovery time too. There has been a lot of re-arrangement of your internal organs, not least your stomach being up in the space where your lungs used to be, as Edwina says.
You have had this period when you have not moved about much, if at all, and the muscles shrink and lose their tone.
Gently progressive exercise is a good thing to aim for. It does your morale good, and gets the rest of your body working a bit better. But 'gentle' and 'progressive' are important. Do not overdo it. Remember you might not feel so bad at the time - be guided on how you feel the day afterwards! I think that trying exercise too soon after eating could be disastrous!
Personally I found that whenever I took a deep breath I would always have a coughing fit for quite a while afterwards. I had also stopped breathing properly (if you breathe in, your stomach should go out; and vice versa). My voice went weak (partly because of not breathing properly).
Gradually, however, all these things got sorted out, but personally I do not think they do necessarily get better unless you gently walk a little bit further each day, take deaper breaths, and start to move bits of your body around; it helps to get things settled down again, but do not try and do it all at once. 6 weeks after surgery you are not normally going to do any damage to your scars.
I was 54 when I had my operations - my oesophagus ruptured and was then repaired. I had a lot of infection problems in my chest, but I am fortunate that I still have my oesophagus in its normal place and it was not cancer-related, so did not have chemotherapy etc. I had been fit, refereeing local football matches, and did my first match again about 9 months later, but I did give it up shortly afterwards because my stamina was never the same. I did go back to work, part time self-employed, 6 months afterwards, but gradually started to overdo things, and suffered for it about 15 months after my first surgery. I think it was coming to terms with when you are as better as you are going to get.
I go walking/rambling, and my wife says that it was about three years before I got to the point where I did not sound like a traction engine when I was walking up a hill.
So the answer is 'Yes' to gentle exercise, and to gradually recovering confidence in your body.
Hi Alan, you are a diamond with all your help I want to thank you so much and I will do as you say go gentle.
Take care speak again.
Tina
Hi. In my case my right lung was collapsed during the operation to give room for the surgeons to do their work I was told to do breathing exercises prior & after the op. I over exercised walking in JAN 11& had to rest on doctors orders.My breathing is now OK but possiblly not back to pre cancer days. If they planned to collapse your lung Im sure they would have told you but they must make a big diference to the chest area just by moving the stomach. Good luck in your recovery best wishes BRUCE
Hi, I had the op in Feb 2012 so we are both newbees to the symptoms we are getting. So far things have been ok for me, yes I have had ups and downs along the way.Most people I meet are surprised how well!! (apart from the weight loss) i look and how quickly I have recovered.
My cancer was in the very early stages so I did not need chemo or radio treatment, From being found in Nov`11 and having the op in Feb `12 I look back only a few months and think how far I have come in such a short time.
I was told that during the op they would have to deflate the right hand side of my lungs to operate. After the op I was told that I had to exercise by taking in a deep breath hold for 5 seconds and then breath out this was to get the lung working again, repeating this 3 or 4 times.
If I am out doing a bit of gardening or pottering about in my shed I find I do get slightly breathless. Probably because I am doing too much. One thing I have found is that if I do too much I get the shakes in my hands and start sweating. At this point I find if I have a drink and something to eat (biscuit) it then slowly settles down.
I am lucky that I retired at 55 (3 years ago) and started my own locksmith business (now on hold until I feel well enough) so I dont have to worry about getting back to work quickly.
Keep hanging in there, family, friends and sites like this give plenty of support. With this type of op it seems like time is the best medicine.
Hi Mick, or should I say Mr newbee well done to you. Your right about this site really good people with lots of information and good wishes.I am flying out to cyprus this week to see my sister and have some chill out time and a little bit vitamin c on me back and the rest of the body even tho its a little skinny one now but that's ok cos I am not going to look in the mirror.
Take care and speak again,
Tina
Hi Hunsdon, I too suffered with shortness of breath after the op..it did get worse and it was discovered that I had anaemia so now take iron tablets, this has made the breathlessness much better, although not perfect after 3 years, when I go up hills I find that deep breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth, helps enormously, although it sometimes sounds disconcerting to others. I do challenge myself with the hills and stairs. I also find after eating I cannot walk far for about 1 hour (maybe less) without getting breathless. Good Luck
Hi Bernadette, thank you so much I'm not too sure where I would be without you guys with all the information yiu share.
Once again thank you.
Tina
Hello Hunsdon
I think comments so far have said just about said it all. The only other point I can add is that even years after the op its good to have a physio regularly check out how deeply you are breathing because its not always easy to tell by yourself.! Breathing is something we don't usually think about or try to control. Gentle and gradual progress is the way I think. I do some breathing exercises most days and I think that has really helped me.
Good luck and best wishes to you
Julia
All good words in the comments.Myself my one of my lungs was deflated so breathing excersises very important to get lungs working good again and getting rid of fluid although I ended up in intensive care after surgery when back home due to serious infection.My op was 10 hours!! I am now a year on and can say have not noticed breathing difflcultieseven though my stomach is high up.In fact since my early retirement have gone back on the road as pro entertainer singing as i did many years ago and in fact was on stage for 1 half hours with no problems.Since surgery and all goes with it I do get washed out and will need good rest today!but nothing like the pain and suffering I endured for around 8 months after!But have adapted but still struggle with eating but yes life does get better and think you learn to manage it and accept life wont be exactly the same.Its great to be alive which is the thing for me
Griff
Hi Griff, thanks for the good answer and very clear on how things are for you now, good luck in all you do and good on you for getting back into something you so enjoy, well done
Take care
Tina
Another option to also look at whether you are anemic.
We can find that this can also cause shortness of breath if low.
I get b12 and vit d jabs.
Breathing exercises are important.
My dad did not have op as cancer is incurable with spread to lymph nodes, liver and lungs. This particular symptom came after he had a stent fitted. He feels unable to breathe deep and feels a tightness in his chest. It comes on with no obvious triggers eg. exertion and subsides. Chest xrays reveal nothing and he has been checked by 6 different doctors. No answers as yet. Could this be similar to all the other posts here? Any answers or comments will be so greatly appreciated.
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