symptons

• By Boomer1
• Posted October 6, 2007 at 4:38 pm
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Hi Janet,

I just read your post and I think that if you feel the least bit scared about some symptoms or reactions you should have your questions answered immediately. There is no such thing as a dumb question and anyone who has cancer doesn't need to wonder what's going on. Your not neurotic , you just need to have some things explained to clear yor mind. If your doc thinks your neurotic , you need to find another doc.

I just finished my chemo and have 2 radiation treatments left for total of 34 and I am having some severe throat pain and can't eat. Last night I was so high anxiety I didn't want to go to sleep. I awoke at 6 AM with one of the most severe night sweats I've ever experienced. Believe me, I will be talking to the docs Monday morning.

Hope your are feeling better soon. Hang in there!

Sincerely,
Boomer

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• By Toddy
• Posted October 6, 2007 at 7:47 pm
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Hi Janet,


I'm not only neurotic but paranoid as well. My Oncologist who is my PCP as far as my LC goes knows it and expects it, he tells me we are fighting for my life not his. I was diagnosed stage 1 B, had both my left lobes removed and chemo some fifteen months ago.


No one, and I mean no one knows their body better than the heart and soul dwelling in it. Fortunately my Oncologist believes as do I that we are a team in my fight and he encourages a proactive patient. I don't know who's the choreographer in fighting your cancer, a general doctor, a surgeon or an oncologist, but your trusting that person is essential. So if you are concerned call that person if he or she doesn't listen or isn't responsive and you feel uncomfortable in anyway, second opinions, third opinions whatever are always not only acceptable but recommended.


Now as to the symptoms you mentioned I will just tell you what my personal experience is with each of them. After I heard the word "Cancer" I arbitrarily stopped taking my estrogen (lowest dose) and after surgery, chemo, thorencentisis, etc., I realized I was having night sweats and unable to sleep because of it. When I talked to my Oncologist, he said that I may have thrown myself back into menopause and to go back on my HRT, which I did and sure enough the night sweats stopped. I don't know where you are with the menopause thing but your age is that which it may be a consideration.


Before someone jumps me about HRT, let me just say I have no family history or personal history which precludes it and my Oncologist feels at least in my case that the possibility of my LC and other cancers which may be connected with HRT does not apply.


As for pain/pressure in the chest, ribs, and back on the surgery side; I still have it all this time later and I do cough. Sometimes the cause of the cough is post nasal drip from allergies or a cold. In my case it doesn't feel that it is from deep within my chest where one lung was and the other is. You didn't mention if your were 1A or B? There is a difference as to wheather chemo is recommended or not. Have you had a PET or CT since your surgery? just something to ask about and you might feel better if you have one the other or both done.

All the very best to you.

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• By oldgrumny
• Posted October 7, 2007 at 11:03 am
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Janet:: I was diagnosed Stage III September 2006. Since then I had radiation, chemo and URL removed February 2007. Healing has been an ordeal to say the least for I had 5 hours of VATS and then three hours of regular surgery not to mention the cut ribs. About 6 months after surgery developed cough and pain and the night sweats also. Went to doctor told Bronchitis and then Sinusitis, neither of which I think is the problem. Chesy x-ray was okay. Went to pulmonary doctor and she felt it could be scar tissue forming or because I was a smoker that COPD could be starting as possibly indicated after breathing tests. She put me on Spiriva which seems to be helping not to mention the post nasal drip which is murder. My own personal opinion is that is radiation pneumonitis to the remaining lung and bronchial tubes which I am told is very hard to diagnose. I am waiting for my next CT scan to see what it could possibly be causing this situation. I also was put on prednisone to see if my cough would be alleviated if possibly radiation pneumonitis. My cough was alleviated by 80%. I find that the cough is heavy in the morning right after getting up and then I can go all day with little or no and then around early evening it starts again for a while. This could also be allergies or post nasal again. This is all I can share at the moment. I must say that there is always areas of concern for every ache and pain is cause for alarm because of what we have been through. We all hope for cure and it seems we go through so much and then we could be hit again. My doctors have been real up front. They will give you statistics but they tell me they just don't know how long or what else to expect and to take each issue as it comes, otherwise we will drive ourselves crazy and not move ahead in life. May God bless you and keep you.

Paul

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• By sb
• Posted October 7, 2007 at 2:05 pm
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My experience has been that the weather really can affect my breathing - my entire life before cancer I never had trouble with allergies or asthma but now I seem to be bothered by weather changes and possibly allergies. My surgeon says the remaining lung tissue has less volume so is more sensitive to irritants of any kind - there just isn't as much tissue there to deal with all the junk we breathe in. Has it gotten cold there for you yet? My first fall after surgery I had a scary episode where I hit the "wall" after I had run an extremely short distance in the cold weather and I thought I would not be able to get my breath. That happened a few times that first year and then not again. I think there are "kinks" that work themselves out over time in the healing process. Another example is I went through a period of constant yawning - I thought I'd go crazy if it didn't stop. It happened for probably a few weeks every time I left my house and got in the car. But that went away too.

The night sweats I don't know about but certainly sounds hormonal. But I'd tell your oncologist about them just so everyone is on the same page.

Sharon

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• By MaryAnn
• Posted October 8, 2007 at 1:28 am
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Hi Janet

First let me say that it is perfectly normal to have lots and lots of questions. If your pain is more than you can tolerate or you are very concern with your cough call your doctor. Your body has been through traumatic a shock and along with that comes anxiety and stress.

I had my URL removed in Sept. 2005. I was diagnosed stage 1B with no other treatment at this time. About six weeks after the surgery I started having the really bad night sweats and would wake up with my hair soaked with sweat. I would get up in the middle of the night and have change my bed clothes. I increased my intake of water, cutting out sugar, and started walking on the treat mill. This seem to help the night sweats for me. I still have pain under my right rib cage. I describe it as a feeling of tightness. My ribs are sore right now, because I just got done helping my husband paint the ceilings in five rooms on the first two floors of our home. I would have never thought two years ago that I would be painting ceilings at the age of sixty and be capable of painting ceilings (with the help of Aleve). LOL

May GOD Bless You
Mary Ann

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• By SharonS
• Posted October 10, 2007 at 3:52 pm
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I look this very simply: you have symptoms. Report them. Night sweats, difficulty breathing, coughs -- could be anything from a need for medical oxygen to pneumonia. If you also have symptoms of anxiety, those are also symtoms, and there are treatments ranging from meditation-type calming techniques, to hypnosis, to anti-anxiety medications. One of the very best things we can do for ourselves is to report accurately and completely to the experts in whom we entrust our care. No one can help if they don't know about it.

So go forth and speak, Janet! Best wishes, SharonS

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• By Z
• Posted October 25, 2007 at 1:57 pm
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My pain level varies as well, and caughing; and night sweats sound like menopause (had that too). If you feel it is bad, call the doctors. Who cares what they may think - your life and wellbeing is a priority.

Possibly loook into physical therapy for the surgery affected muscles.

Best of luck,

Z

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• By Sybil
• Posted March 29, 2008 at 3:59 pm
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I've been having day and night sweats for about 2 weeks now. I checked my temperature and I either didn't have one or it was extremely low grade. I was scared to death. I finally shared with my husband how I was feeling (through tears) one morning and he told me that he had been having the same problem.

We sleep in separate beds sometimes during the week as it's more comfortable for me since surgery and because of his schedule! :)

Anyhoo, we called our Primary care doc and he told us that from the symtoms we shared with him, that we had a virus that was going around and many of his patients have it!

I know how paranoid I get since I was diagnosed with first breast and them lung cancer (not related.) Don't do it to yourself.

It's not always the big C. We are still normal and will get the bugs and the infections and the stiff necks, etc. just like everyone else!

Be good to yourself and take a breath - laugh and relax!
Love ya!

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• By janet54
• Posted March 30, 2008 at 5:14 pm
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I just wanted to thank you for responding,since I did that post I have gotten more at ease with this.I still have THE FEAR but not as bad.Right now my problem is pain,I thought I no longer needed my pain patch so I,with my family Dr. reduced the dose.I on a daily basis hurt,breathing hurts and now I have this new fatigue thing going on,seems all I want to do is sleep! I get another ct scan in end of June.Until then I just carry on.
All my best, janet

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• By Angie-in-SC
• Posted March 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm
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good to hear from you. just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.
Angie

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• By deciccork1
• Posted March 30, 2008 at 6:56 pm
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Hi Janet,
By all means call your Doc.!!!!!! My husband was having night sweats for a couple of weeks, coughing like mad. We thought he had a small cold. Guess what??????? On Feb. 28 I came home early (thank God I did) to take him to a Doc. appointment and I found him on the bathroom floor!!!he was getting oput of the shower) He could not get up and was there for 1 hour!!!!!! Long story short he had Phonema.....His b/p was 60/50, heart rate was 170 and a fever of 104.5!!!!!! He was in the ccu for 9 days!!!!! He was a very sick man.He was FINE the day before......So please, please go get a x-ray or something.....Please keep in touch and let me know how you are making out. Put me on your friend list so we can talk.
Prayers from my house to yours,
Rox (Roxanne)

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• By sha5662
• Posted October 11, 2008 at 6:04 pm
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Hi,
Can you please tell me what Phonema is? I hate to ask stupid questions, but thanks.

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