Ovarian cancer fluid around lung

[Aliollie]

Hi does anybody know if you can have tablets to get rid of fluid on lung due to ovarian cancer, mum had them drained but she thinks some fluid may be back and really doesn’t want a drain in again as it was so painful so hoping there may be some medication to reduce it any help would be appreciated. She has just finished chemo so thought it would have gone. Best wishes to all xxxxxx

[SUE7777]

Sorry I have no idea but wanted to wish you the best. Sue

[Saffery1]

Hi Aliollie. I had 2.5 litres drained off last autumn and it was painless, much to my surprise. I'm wondering why it was painful for your mum?

Sue

[Lyndy]

I am sorry Aliollie but ‘water tablets’ don’t work on pleural effusion…. I know this because the Covid ward I was on tried it on me and got told off by oncology! The process of draining can be painful. If the pain is from the drain insertion…she should ask for more local anaesthetic. If it’s from the draining, she should ask them to go very slowly and stop if she is uncomfortable. The suction vessels they sometimes use are a nightmare and I refused to use them.

But whatever they use to drain, going very slow with lots of breaks will help her have a better experience. Best of luck to you and your Mum x

[Aliollie in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks for your reply Lyndy xx

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello Aliollie,

Thank you very much for your post. I can see that you have had a number of helpful replies from members of the forum. I just wanted to message to add that we would encourage your Mum to contact her clinical team if she is concerned that some fluid may be back. They will be able to assess her and advise her on what the next steps may be. Your Mum could also speak to her team about her past experience, her concerns about having fluid drained and what pain relief may be available for her.

Macmillan produce information on pleural effusions which I will share a link to here: www93-preview.macmillan.org... A pleural effusion is when fluid builds up between the two sheets of tissue that cover the lungs. I do hope that you find this information helpful.

We are here if you would like to talk things through. You can contact us on this forum, by calling our support line on 0800 008 7054/07503 682311 or by emailing [e-mail].

Best wishes,

Cathryn

Support Services

[Rai_Nakoa]

I had a pleural effusion as well, although did not need it drained. Mine increased throughout cycles of chemo 1-3 (Feb 6 -Mar 18: as per CT scan on Mar 30) and increased very slightly throughout cycles of chemo 4-6 (Apr10-May20: as per CT scan on June 4).

I was sent for another scan and chest x-ray on June 21 to see if it would need to be drained prior to debulking surgery…. And it was completely gone!😳

Everyone is unique in their experience and treatments, so I’m not saying it may improve like mine did. However, I would think she should get it assessed and have a drain if uncomfortable with the current buildup, etc.

Maybe inquire about a more aggressive sedative for the procedure??? (I am in Alberta 🇨🇦 ….and our oncology/surgeon team has been very good about listening to my concerns.) I am very grateful for that. Although I cannot speak in regards to you health and medical care system where you are, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for alternatives to make the procedure more comfortable.

Wishing you the best!

Trish

AKA: ZENA - Warrior Princess

[Aliollie]

Thank you for all your reply’s you are a most helpful bunch xxx