For the last month or so, I've noticed a fairly significant change in my lungs, like I did a sprint after smoking a pack of cigarettes, making it uncomfortable if not slightly painful to breathe ... Deep. Anyone else have this problem? How did you resolve it?
Hi Calicricket, I am so sorry for how you are feeling, and although I cannot directly relate to what you are going through, I am here to help you in any way that I can. Did your doctor tell you that this is a normal symptom?
Yep. Very normal. That's why abvd patients cant ever use oxygen again, lest our lungs, at worst, collapse on us.
My husband is currently undergoing what will be a total of 12 chemo treatments. After his 7th ABVD the Oncologist discontinued the Bleomycn (sp?) because of lung decline.
He just had his 9th A-VD last Friday. Because of lousy PFT tests, the doctor is considering steroids. I will say that John’s extreme breathlessness on exertion has improved, and I HOPE it’s not permanent damage.
~ Joyce
Sigh.... Or wheeze. That's not good to hear Joyce. Please keep in touch.
Does your doctor have you on Neulasta or nuepogen? Because that can really exacerbate the issues caused by Bleomyacin. I haven't had any serious issues with breathing or wheezing, but I was extremely concerned about it when my doctor started me on Neulasta (unfortunately I had no other option, because I have pathetic white counts). My doctor told me that, like Joyce's husband, if I experience severe lung decline, steroids might be an option. It does seem to be kind of a craps shoot as to whether or not it will be permanent. If it's being triggered by the Neulasta or neupogen, your doctor might be able to space out your shots more so that your lungs have more time to recover between the chemo and the immune boosters.
I just finished my chemo treatment--12 rounds done, 11 rounds of abvd, the last one without bleomycin. I do neupogen shots every week... I have two more left. My oncologist never said anything about a link between neupogen and breathing probs due to bleomycin. I am currently awaiting a ct scan. I feel like a paranoid schizophrenic suffering from delusions, I.e., there is nothing wrong with me and the tests will prove it's all in my head. But the last time I ignored various health problems I was diagnosed with hl.
I just wish someone would say: this is normal. Give it 3 weeks and then give us a call. Instead I get ct scans and pulmonary tests and so forth. Stupid cancer. Stupid life saving health damaging chemo.
Sigh**
Calicricket - a tough call. I ended up with pulmonary fibrosis. But my lungs are not your lungs, so speak to your doctor. It may be something else.
I didn't make the link with bleomycin, as my HL first showed as a sizeable tumour on my chest. I had quite major surgery to remove a piece of lung as part of the diagnostic bit, then chemo, then radiotherapy, and could have blamed any of these for lung damage.
Fibrosis is a loss of lung elasticity, and that makes it harder to breathe. My doctor, when he had explored and confirmed his diagnosis, said it wasn't likely to progress. I was already above the level of lung function that would have merited treatment, and so I would get used to it.
The good news is that I did, fairly quickly. I've had it for 8 years, during which time I've learned to fly, spent a lot of leisure time walking, been in work full time, etc. I struggle with steep hills, have to stop for breath part of the way up, and take it slowly. But I get there, enjoy the experience, and recover quickly. The same is true for, er, other activities enjoyed with my wife, so to speak.
If you sprint after smoking cigarettes, I would urge you to stop both. Now.
Scans and pulmonary tests are at best a drag, at worst scary, but always necessary. As you get older, this sort of episode will alarm you less. Don't panic.
Whoops - accidental duplicate.
Glad to know certain activities er... Are ok. Not a smoker or a sprinter, so I think I'm safe for
The time being. Enjoying a good sense of humor....
Certain activities, er, are fine! Better than sprinting, anyway. Sorry to sound coy, not like me, but children may read this.