Help from olaparib ladies if possible !

[Rankij11]

I’m stressing a bit here cos of the dreaded virus I think . Just completing third month of olaparib . Just after starting second month, I had a temperature and cough. Went to a/e and was told viral , went home and by end of week was ok . But I have since had tight feeling in chest , no cough but feel like I want to cough . Bit breathless coming up stairs , but seem to be able to do fairly fast walking fine . Bit of cough on waking . So question is do you think olaparib ? Or hangover from virus .? I have telephone appointment this week but I’m scared to mention in case onc take me off olaparib ? [Edited by moderator] This all sounds a bit ‘all about me’ but would really value any help from people who have been on olaparib for a while .

Best wishes to everyone else out there in difficult times

Jennifer

[sticky3006]

Hi Jennifer,

sorry I can't help as not yet on Olaparib but have you looked at side effects data sheet? Have other women had similar problems? If yes then I'd assume it's Olaparib related. Also has your temperature stayed down?

thanks,

Sticky3006 x

[Rankij11 in reply to sticky3006]

Hi yes feel ok and no temperature . There is a thing about cough in there ??? So hoping not olaparib ! But I sort of think it could be ?

Hope you are keeping well

Jennifer

[sticky3006 in reply to Rankij11]

Hi Jennifer. Probably best to phone your CNS just to check. I'm sure she'll have been asked similar questions before. Glad you feel ok.

Good luck,

sticky3006

[Rankij11 in reply to sticky3006]

Will do

Thankyou

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Jennifer. A cough or upper respiratory tract infection is a side effect of Olaparib. You will need to be honest with your clinicians. Hopefully it's just your body getting used to the drug. I used to have a cough but don't now and have been on it 6 years 3 months x Good luck. Kathy xx

[Rankij11 in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Kathy

I suspect I’m being ‘head in sand ‘ about this . Character flaw ! I know you’re right and I will talk to them this week. Really helpful to know you had a cough at beginning, which went ! All encouraging news great so thank you for your reply

Thank you and hope you’re doing ok in in this difficult time

Jennifer x

[bamboo89]

Difficult to pick this one apart - I too had a virus at the end of January with the same symptoms you describe (high fever, followed by dry cough then a worse cough) -because I have asthma, I couldn't breathe (really bad) for 4 weeks, but here I am, some weeks later and I'm still having a bit of trouble with my chest. I am not on any cancer treatment either, so no question of its being that - I did ask whether I'd had this new virus, but at that time, if you hadn't been to China, the answer was no. I would very much like a test to see if I had it, but that's not available yet and isn't for you either. For you, you may have had an ordinary virus, or coronavirus, or it might be the treatment you're on... I think its best to come clean with oncology and see what they say.

Miriam

[Rankij11 in reply to bamboo89]

Thank you Miriam

I’m going to man up and talk to them about it tomorrow! Not following my usual routine makes it easier to worry about things I think . Sounds like you have had a difficult spell with this virus , whichever strain it is . My sister in law who has asthma but no cancer has just a very similar experience to you . Maybe some spring sun will sort us out a bit.

Thank you for sharing and take care

Jennifer

[bamboo89 in reply to Rankij11]

I was going to say, seeing you mention your sister, I wasn't the only one with that virus - my neighbour, although the same age as me (69) with no asthma or chest problems, had the same thing and she couldn't breath properly for 4/5 weeks either... the symptoms were spot on for coronavirus, I can't wait for the home antibody test to be available, cos if I or others have already had it, we can go out and stop worrying about it! Bad enough having cancer without worrying about a virus too... Good luck with your appointment...

[Rankij11 in reply to bamboo89]

Even more, my son in law 46, fit as anything ended up with heart failure ! So... bring on antibody. Btw, just out of interest which part of country are you in ?

[bamboo89 in reply to Rankij11]

London - West London to be precise, not that far from Heathrow...

[Rankij11 in reply to bamboo89]

So you may easily have met with someone, I’m in West Sussex , one of first outbreaks here! Anyway I think I must go and do some home exercise , I could do with Mr Motivator!

Take care

Jennifer

Ps love the name Miriam , really unusual!

[bamboo89 in reply to Rankij11]

Really? Thanks, but I'm not keen on my name - when I was young, people assumed I must be Jewish or that my name was actually Marian... these days they think I'm moslem, although their version of the name is more usually spelt 'Mariam' which oddly, I prefer... I don't actually subscribe to any particular religion at all, which makes it even more irritating! But, yes, at least its different, so I should just be grateful I guess...

[Rankij11 in reply to bamboo89]

I think lovely! Just an update , hospital phoned today instead of appointment. They didn’t seem too worried re cough , just said if you get worse follow normal procedure ! And signed me off for 2 more months olaparib. I am a bit anaemic, which might explain some of symptoms, so all good really, just buckle down to 12weeks of isolation ! And get antibody test ASAP Same for all of us so mustn’t moan .

Take care

Jennifer

[bamboo89 in reply to Rankij11]

oh that's good news they weren't concerned - I had a text today from my oncology department telling me not to attend my appointment next week to get my scan results - it will be a phone consult instead. I'm much relieved I don't have to go there. As for isolation, yep, biting the bullet on that one, just wish I didn't have ascites, makes it difficult to bend down properly when I'm gardening... but, never mind, I'm still here, still enjoying the weather...

[Rankij11 in reply to bamboo89]

So now I’m going to keep everything crossed for your scan results

Enjoy the sunshine xx