Effect of cisplatin on lungs

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lindachris
lindachris Member Posts: 173
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My wife Linda is experiencing shortness of breath in normal activities. We're through two complete rounds of chemo with Cisplatin/Gemzar. The effect has been addressed with our doctors who have not made much of it yet? Anyone have any perspective or experience with this?

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  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #2
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    Hi Lindachris,
    Is she showing any kind of edema elsewhere?? I ask because, I started to have a tough time breathing after my 5th cycle of Gemzar. When the Dr. listened to my lungs they were clear, the ct scan showed no fluids, and I even passed a stress test...I had very bad edema to both feet,ankles and calves. My b/p went crazy (206/104), they got me on Lasix to stop the fluid, and had blood work done that indicated I was going into congestive heart failure. So please keep an watchful eye on your wife, and if it gets any worse go to the ER. They caught mine fast enough so I have no damage to my heart, but the opinion of the cardiologist was I had a bad side effect from the steriods and chemo. Good luck sending (((hugz)))..Joanne
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #3
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    floridajo said:

    Hi Lindachris,
    Is she showing any kind of edema elsewhere?? I ask because, I started to have a tough time breathing after my 5th cycle of Gemzar. When the Dr. listened to my lungs they were clear, the ct scan showed no fluids, and I even passed a stress test...I had very bad edema to both feet,ankles and calves. My b/p went crazy (206/104), they got me on Lasix to stop the fluid, and had blood work done that indicated I was going into congestive heart failure. So please keep an watchful eye on your wife, and if it gets any worse go to the ER. They caught mine fast enough so I have no damage to my heart, but the opinion of the cardiologist was I had a bad side effect from the steriods and chemo. Good luck sending (((hugz)))..Joanne

    No signs of other edema. But we have an appt. Thursday and we'll bring this up. Just looking for perspective from the "real world."

    cc
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
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    Hi CC:
    My experience is with Carboplatin/Taxol/Taxotere. I know that Joanne gave you some good information regarding Gemzar. I can give you one more thing to ask about - low blood pressure. My 'normal' blood pressure is about 106/65. The regimine I was on can also lower blood pressure even more. That was nasty for me - difficulty getting oxygen to the brain which made me feel short of breath, light headed, rapid heart rate, etc. My BP got as low as 87/72. The doctor-on-call at that time didn't seem too concerned, although I felt like I was 'leaving this earth'. I found what helped me get through those first few days after chemo was having a little extra salt (I could only manage a few bites of potato chips, which also gave me some potassium which is important for the heart). I had an occasional 1/2 cup of coffee (caffiene can help bring up BP). And, although I sure didn't feel like moving around, I would get up every 1/2 hour or so and just slowly walk a few feet here and there, holding on to the countertop or something like that. The more you can move, the more your BP will go up. So, it might just be something to check into. I have a BP unit at home, and sure enough every time I felt this way my BP was extremely low.
    Hope this helps. I wish you both well with your next appointment.
    Hugs,
    Monika
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #5
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    Chris - I haven't had the experience with the shortness of breath on Cisplatin - but in my book of "when to call the doctor" new onset of shortness of breath is one of the ones as a must due. I'm sure Linda is even more worried since the last time you guys had the fluid problem and it didn't seem like they were thinking it was a big deal. Keep calling - it's your body and you have to do what feels right to you. Sending best regards. Kris
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #6
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    mopar said:

    Hi CC:
    My experience is with Carboplatin/Taxol/Taxotere. I know that Joanne gave you some good information regarding Gemzar. I can give you one more thing to ask about - low blood pressure. My 'normal' blood pressure is about 106/65. The regimine I was on can also lower blood pressure even more. That was nasty for me - difficulty getting oxygen to the brain which made me feel short of breath, light headed, rapid heart rate, etc. My BP got as low as 87/72. The doctor-on-call at that time didn't seem too concerned, although I felt like I was 'leaving this earth'. I found what helped me get through those first few days after chemo was having a little extra salt (I could only manage a few bites of potato chips, which also gave me some potassium which is important for the heart). I had an occasional 1/2 cup of coffee (caffiene can help bring up BP). And, although I sure didn't feel like moving around, I would get up every 1/2 hour or so and just slowly walk a few feet here and there, holding on to the countertop or something like that. The more you can move, the more your BP will go up. So, it might just be something to check into. I have a BP unit at home, and sure enough every time I felt this way my BP was extremely low.
    Hope this helps. I wish you both well with your next appointment.
    Hugs,
    Monika

    Kris and Mopar: Thanks for both perspectives. Linda is moving around more. She actually had what I'd characterize as a "good" week this week, other than shortness of breath earlier on. No shocking revelations for once. So healthwise, blood pressure and such are decent. She goes today for chemo and will ask about that. And again next Wednesday, day before Thanksgiving. She's not thrilled about that. Fortunately there's been no swelling in the abdomen since chemo started. Now we start tracking the numbers and hope they go down. God Bless to all.

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