Why am I so breathless.?

[Duskygem]

Hi ladies, I started carbo/caelyx a week ago and now Ihave a tight wheezy chest causing breathlessness and a feeling of chest pressure. I went to GP yesterday he declared that my chest was clear and I should take anti histamines for relief. I had a pleural effusion previously so was glad to rule that out. Could it be caused by the carbo/ caelyx? Thank you ladies

Christine

[Lyndy]

Low haemoglobin makes me feel this way, particularly on chemo when the drop is dramatic. I would ring your chemo line and report it...even if they do nothing you have a line in the sand if anything else develops. Mine often resolved after a couple of days xx

[Duskygem in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lyndy I will ring the chemo line. Did your breathlessness resolve without treatment? Christine

[Lyndy in reply to Duskygem]

Yes it did... I was worried because I had so many problems with pleural effusion and ipc drains being infected but it did go and the next chemo I didn’t get it again. However I have had times when I have had to get a blood transfusion if levels really crashed...that’s why it’s best to let the experts decide if it’s ok to leave xx

[SUE7777]

I'm sure there's nothing to worry about but I had breathlessness and pain in my left lung while on treatment, I didn't mention it as I thought it was normal and it turned out to be pneumonia which was left for about 2 months until I ended up in hospital. Pneumonia can be a side effect so please get checked but don't worry it can be treated with antibiotics. Sue xx

[Neona]

I have had this caused by low haemoglobin, low iron, low calcium, low magnesium so think it a good idea to make sure these are included in blood tests. Chemo can certainly cause low magnesium.

[Mumsie13]

I had this while on carbo/caelyx. I had terrible breathlessness on simple exertion and a feeling I couldn't draw in enough breath plus the odd twinge in my chest. Also I had trouble breathing through my mask when simply walking.. I let it go thinking it was part of recovery from chemo as it wore off a little. Purely by chance on visit to Chemo Rapid Response for another issue it was discovered my magnesium levels were extremely low. I didn't know but the carboplatin is well known for causing this. I ended up in hospital so that I could have long IV infusions of magnesium. I also had result from my mid-way scan while there and was told I had a pulmonary embolism. So two possible reasons for shortness of breath. I don't wish to be alarmist but please get this checked with chemo line/rapid response or oncologist. It may be something that will ease off but the chemo line always tell me they'd rather I rang than let things slide. At the very least it will put your mind at rest. Jackie

[Joanne59 in reply to Mumsie13]

Hello I had awful breathlessness when I was on carbo/taxol.A few months after I finished treatment I was back to normal x

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, my hemoglobin dropped and caused me to be short of breath. They gave me 2 units of blood, which helped tremendously. You probably should have a blood test. Hope things go well with you. Donna U.S.A. xx

[Duskygem]

Thank you so much for your replies ladies I will be getting in touch with the chemo line.Christine