Fatigue and cough

[library2019]

I had to go to er today to have fluid drained 4 liters came home and I am beat having trouble breathing get winded easy back to dr tomorrow

[Betbop]

So very sorry to hear this hope tomorrow is a much better day for you.

[library2019 in reply to Betbop]

Thanks

[nstonerocks]

I'm so sorry you are still short of breath. Let us know how your MD visit goes.

[library2019 in reply to nstonerocks]

Will do

[Bestbird]

I am so sorry to hear you're dealing with cough and periodic draining. Below are some other options you may want to consider. I had a Pleurx catheter for about 6 weeks, which was very manageable. You may want to speak about these possibilities with your doctor.

This material can be found in my book, "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" which is also available in a complimentary .pdf. For more information, please visit: insidersguidembc.com/about

I hope you feel better soon!

For patients who have pleural effusion, there are three methods of draining the fluid to provide relief:

Indwelling (Pleurx or Aspira) Catheter: This is the surgical insertion, under general anesthesia, of a small tube placed temporarily into the pleural space that allows the patient or his/her family member to drain the fluid into a bottle as needed. Patients with an indwelling catheter are fully mobile and are not “attached” to the draining bottle except when draining the fluid. Once there is no more drainage at all, the catheter is removed either in the doctor’s office or an outpatient procedure. Overall, indwelling catheters seem to help prevent the fluid from building up again, provided that the patient’s systemic treatment is working. The Pleurx catheter works via suction, and the newer gentler model is the Aspira catheter, which is a bit less uncomfortable because uses gravity instead of suction for draining.

Pleurodesis (sometimes referred to as a “talc procedure”) is a process in which substances, such as talc, are used to try to get the edge of the lung to stick to the chest wall to decrease the chance of the fluid returning. Although this procedure seems to help prevent the fluid from building up again (provided that systemic treatment is working) it can be painful and usually requires a brief hospital stay. Some patients have reported discomfort months and even years after the procedure. In rare cases, the procedure may fail altogether, rendering it impossible to drain the fluid thereafter because it becomes trapped in a honeycomb of many small pockets (called “loculations”). Of all options for draining malignant pleural effusion, this appears to be the most risk-prone.

Thoracentesis (sometimes referred to as “tapping”) is an outpatient procedure that involves placing one needle per required side into the pleural space. (This is what you are having). Although local anesthesia is administered, this procedure can be uncomfortable and may cause scarring if repeated over time. The procedure also does not hinder fluid buildup again. These tips may make the procedure less uncomfortable: 1) Request a numbing agent before the needle is inserted to feel more comfortable after the procedure. 2) Request that the fluid to be withdrawn slowly in order to avoid low blood pressure or a “fainting” feeling afterwards. 3) Lean forward with a soft pillow supporting your head and upper torso while the draining is underway via your back.

[library2019 in reply to Bestbird]

Great info I will check out the website and let you know what dr says

[Hidden]

The exhaustion is miserable, I know!! After my pleural effusion and in hospital draining I had a hemothorax and a collapsed lung which caused the shortness of breath. If your shortness of breath continues or gets worth, an x-ray may be warranted. I hope rest will alleviate all your symptoms. Feel better! Let us know what your doctor says.

[library2019 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks will do

[library2019]

Went to my regular md yesterday checked lungs clear vitals checked out my onc office called going to get bloodwork and see dr hopefully can find out cause of cough and shortness of breath keep you all posted hoping for answers🙏

[Mindysooty in reply to library2019]

Hi

I was at first told my cough and shortness of breath was down to my swollen chest lymph nodes. After my last scan I was told the cancer is presenting as plaques in the chest cavity and causing a thickening and thats why Im breathless. I take codeine as a cough suppressent - it helps because I get so fed up of the coughing but its just masking it really so Id say find out the cause first.

Hope you get sorted soon. Xx

[mariootsi]

Hope you feel better tomorrow. Take it easy today. Rest and try to relax.

[Felish48]

Awww im just seeing this, I hope that you are feeling better. Keeping you in my prayers.

[Arkait]

I have pleural effusion, also. I was having trouble breathing, especially at night,

lying down. I had one lung involved, first time drained a liter off it. THen my oncologist

suggest I have a permanent catheter put in so I could keep it drained regularly, without

the pain of needle and inconvenience of hospital visit to effect. Now, after 5 months,

the fluid is finally starting to abate ( between 200 and 300 ml every other day, now) and there is hope it

will eventually dry up I am used to the permanent catheter, so it doesn't intefere with

my sleeping or daily living, (but it took 2 weeks before I got used to it, and they were

difficult weeks). But it is a far better solution than the painof a needle draini ng.

I recommend it highly as a temporary solutiom to mbc lung pleural effusion. My catheter

is called a Pleurx. I understand there are a newer , gravity driven one, I am going to

loo k into trying. Good luck. Mary

[Sunnydaz]

I felt the same when I was getting drained. They told me to breathe though my nose. No deep breaths for a while. It also helped when they drained it very slowly. I hope your feeling better, it’s been a few days.

xo