Symptoms of Lung Metastisis

rizzo15

Hi All. Haven't posted in a while as I've spent the last two weeks trying to track down the origin of some symptoms. Mainly shortness of breath after walking short distances (3 blocks or less), with rapid heartbeat. Until the end of November 2003 I was bicycling at least 15 miles a week, so couldn't understand why the relatively sudden onset. Finally got checked into the hospital for 3 days. They did a bronchoscopy (sp) and a lung biopsy, a CAT scan, chest X-Ray, blood gases, all the usual blood work. They sent me home with an oxygen machine and several cylinders of oxygen. The cylinders are so I can continue to go to physical therapy 3x per week for my frozen shoulder. Supposedly the pulmonologist will have the biopsy results back later in the week...but for those who have breast cancer metastize to the lungs...did you have this shortness of breath thing?

jeancmici

Hi Rizzo,
Initially I don't think shortness of breath goes with lung mets - usually is a dry cough. I am somewhat short of breath from little exertion but it is blamed on anemia as is the rapid heartbeat altho' I have mets in both lungs. You have had a number of tests to rule out lung mets - CT scan etc. Maybe you need to lighten up on your exercising - 15 miles a week - after cancer, there is a new you that will require some adjustments - don't overstress yourself after all you have been through. We do not have to be super woman for ourselves or anyone else.

Wishing you good news - keep in touch.
Hugs, Jean

lindatn

sounds a lot like what I had with a very over active thyroid, had it zapped, had that problem finally under control only to start the bc journey. Try not to think the worst as it is hard on the immune system. Prayers are with you. Linda

DeeNY711

I had those symptoms while on chemotherapy, and while the shortness of breath has subsided, it has taken almost 7 months for my resting pulse to be consistently under 100 beats per minute.

rizzo15

Thanks everyone for your responses. The women who had breast cancer move to their lung during the time I was doing chemo (Nov 2002 to May 2003) didn't have my set of symptoms either! One of the blood tests they said was to check thyroid function and the results came back in the normal range. My doctors say I can go back to work (half time) starting on Monday. So, I guess that is a good sign. They say I have to take a portable oxygen cylinder and use it any time I am asked to any strenuous work such as moving heavy boxes or jogging short distances--neither of which is very likely. I can drive, go shopping, etc. I was reading the chemo literature again and it was saying that chemo and/or radiation sometimes damages the lungs, but the radiation oncologist says she would have detected lung damage long, long ago. What a mystery! I guess no matter what the experts think they know, there are still mysteries even to them.

penhass

rizzo15 said:

Thanks everyone for your responses. The women who had breast cancer move to their lung during the time I was doing chemo (Nov 2002 to May 2003) didn't have my set of symptoms either! One of the blood tests they said was to check thyroid function and the results came back in the normal range. My doctors say I can go back to work (half time) starting on Monday. So, I guess that is a good sign. They say I have to take a portable oxygen cylinder and use it any time I am asked to any strenuous work such as moving heavy boxes or jogging short distances--neither of which is very likely. I can drive, go shopping, etc. I was reading the chemo literature again and it was saying that chemo and/or radiation sometimes damages the lungs, but the radiation oncologist says she would have detected lung damage long, long ago. What a mystery! I guess no matter what the experts think they know, there are still mysteries even to them.

I was just diagnosed with Inflamatory Breast Disease (breast cancer stage IV)mets in the lung. The original cancer was diagnosed 2 years ago and with chemo, surgery, and radiation we thought we had it, but surprise. I have been reading the thread of these messages and there seems to be a common theme about shortness of breath and using oxygen. Am I going to end up on oxygen?