Breathless!

[27-359]

I completed six sessions of Carbo/Caelyx in February, and almost immediately noticed breathlessness. Up until then, I had no issues at all, and could walk for long distances and do my housework and gardening. This condition came on so quickly, and is having a huge impact on my life. I make the bed, then need to sit and rest and find myself constantly monitoring how far I will have to walk, and whether I will be able to factor in stops to recover my breath.

I have had a chest x-ray and a scan, and the oncologist says that there is no apparent reason for this. Does anyone have any ideas please?

[Cumbrianlass5]

Have you had bloods done recently? You might be severely anemic. I believe that can cause a breathless exhaustion. Hope you get it sorted soon x

[27-359 in reply to Cumbrianlass5]

Yes, I am on Rubraca now, so my bloods get done every month.

[Cumbrianlass5 in reply to 27-359]

Ah so not that then. Some people say they find taking antihistamines helps reduce side effects of cancer drugs. Might be worth a try. Hope things improve soon x

[delia2]

Hi. That sounds awful. For me it was anemia when I felt like that. It might be a side effect of rubraca? Also could you have a breakthrough case of Covid? Maybe see your go.

[27-359 in reply to delia2]

I hadn't started Rubraca when the breathlessness started, and the condition hasn't got any worse since I started it.

[Cynthia18]

Oh I can absolutely relate to your condition. It sounds like my life.came on so quickly.0 energy,im on breathing treatments now and rescue inhalers.my i live in my home. Barely do anything. I was active like your self.please also see a good pulmonary dr that communicates with your oncologist

[Neona]

I have had exactly the same experiences. After 3 doses of frontline chemo I could barely stand up - let alone walk but the hospital couldn’t find any reason for it other than some slight kidney damage. After about 3 weeks it subsided but has recurred numerous times. I am convinced that it is mostly caused by low magnesium caused by chemo damage to kidneys which apparently is quite common. I suggest asking if they have checked this as it doesn’t seem to be done routinely. I now have a magnesium infusion weekly and take magnesium tablets every day. As the infusion wears off the breathlessness returns so am pretty convinced that this is the main cause.

[27-359 in reply to Neona]

Thank you. That is really helpful. I have a phone consultation next week, so will ask about magnesium.

[Neona in reply to 27-359]

I also have developed acid reflux since having chemo and have just been reading that this can also cause shortness of breath. The reflux crept up on me - started with mild sort of gurgling but has got worse over time. I have some opacification at bottom of lungs showing on CT scan and lung specialist said it could have been caused by reflux.

[27-359]

I have noticed a change in my digestion, though not acid reflux. I sometimes get indigestion now, and frequently get hiccups after eating. These have only come on in the last few months.

[Mumsie13]

I agree with Neona. Good idea to get magnesium levels checked. I have had very low magnesium during and since treatment with carboplatin/caelyx. It started with chronic fatigue and lethargy, breathlessness and weakness in legs. They don't appear to do mag tests routinely although why, when it is a known side effect of carboplatin, I don't know. It was a clever doctor who thought to check my magnesium levels from the symptoms I was presenting at the time. I also have IV infusions and take daily magnesium supplements. Incidentally I did also have a pulmonary embolism as well but treated and all gone now🤞. But that, I was informed, was caused by the cancer and not the chemo.

I also had really bad acid reflux during treatment - felt like bottom of my oesophagus was always "gurgling" and constricted when food was passing through. It disappeared eventually but was so uncomfortable and played havoc with my appetite/diet. Anyway, please do get magnesium checked if only to eliminate as a possible cause. I really hope you get this sorted soon.

[27-359]

Thank you. I will do that.

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, it could be that your hemoglobin is low. I had that problem which can cause breathlessness. Hope you get it figured out. Donna xx

[27-359 in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

Apparently my bloods are fine.????