Breathlessness and dry cough since last October

[Julie2233]

Has anyone else had chest problems and have you had any successful treatment.

I've always been prone to chest infections and a scan over 12 months ago found damage to my left lung (around the area that the radiotherapy was delivered to) and then more damage was found on my scan in December which was attributed to the afinitor that I was taking at the time. The last scan showed improvement but I've had a dry cough since last October, breathlessness and mild pain. No lung mets have been found and I saw the GP a few months ago and my lungs were clear of infection (and I've never smoked.)

It's not awful just uncomfortable, it feels like I've been standing next to a bonfire in the smoke for too long. I just wanted to know if any of you had had this and did you do anything about it, and if you did, did it work. I know in the scheme of things this is very minor but any suggestions gratefully received. 😊

[Andersl]

How did the GP assess your lungs? Using a stethoscope?

I'd suggest you get an x-ray and possibly a CT. I'm sure your oncologist would arrange this for you (if you're in the uk), not sure how it would work elsewhere.

I had lung damage from dexotaxol -pneumonitis. Fortunately it was caught early and the dexotaxol was stopped. I don't seem to have any day to day issues now but I am prone to pneumonia if I get a viral infection. Incidentally the pneumonia showed up on a PET scan. I coughed for many weeks after the pneumonia I had in January this year.

The above mentioned tests should give you the reassurance you need either way. It is/isn't due to pneumonia/lung damage.

Hope that helps x

[Julie2233 in reply to Andersl]

Thanks 😊 The ct scan found fibrosis which was improving and areas that were no longer functioning. But I think I will go back to the gp to see if anything can be done to ease it.

[Hidden]

I have shortness of breath and feel u can’t get enough air in my lungs. I also have a dry “seal” cough more so at night. I don’t know how to describe, like a croup cough. My ct is clear except for scar tissue for a collapsed lung after a car accident. My family doctor gave me a puffer to use to help open things up and it helps for a little while. I would keep asking to get it seen to or for a puffer or something. The burning shouldn’t be there that long I would t think.

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, that's interesting that you are using a puffer. I will go back to the gp and ask if one would be suitable 🙂

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

Ps, I have the same sensation that I can't quite get enough air into my lungs.

[Hidden in reply to Julie2233]

It’s a scary feeling, isn’t it.

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

It is 😕

[Hidden]

My wife (who has MBC and has had a mild stroke) recently became breathless and had a dry cough but this cleared up once she came off her newly-prescribed Ramipril. Could it possibly be one of your meds causing the problem? The only other time she had breathlessness was when she had a pleural effusion a couple of years ago. She had to have her left lung aspirated but her symptoms were different in that she had been bringing up phlegm.

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

I’m so sorry to hear about your wife’s stroke, that must make things feel even harder.

I’ve been going through different meds quite quickly recently. It started when I got cold while on afinitor but since then i’ve had intravenous chemo and I’m on xeloda and the symptoms have remained constant. I don’t think the meds help though. I’ve been trying a deep breathing technique this weekend and it seems it have helped a little. 😊

[Julie2233]

Thanks Sandra, that's really useful. I've bought a home saturation monitor and the readings have been fine, (same as those taken at the hospital) but I will go back to the gp and ask him to look into this further 🙂

Julie x