Radiation Pneumonitis

Hi dbqueen,

I had this. It cropped up around the last week of my rads. (I had 37 tx, total)

I had no fever or particular fatigue...just a bit of a dry, hacking cough, which was off and on but not severe. When it didn't clear up after a day or two, I rang my pulmonologist (I've had mild ashtma for about 15 years). He knew I was having rads as I'd seen him for a ck up before I started. He went ahead and prescribed an antibiotic immediately and told me to begin using my albuterol inhaler (the
bronchodilator type) but no steroid inhaler or steroid pills. That was to keep the airways open. Next day I went for a CXR and a visit with him, just to confirm his suspicions. There was one small spot of it, on my left lung, which was easy to see. My bc was on the left side, so that made sense.

Radiation pneumonitis isn't uncommon, from what I've heard and read but seems it should begin to clear sooner, with treatment, than you've experienced. Mine cleared within about 10 days and never got any worse and I had no residual problems. A follow up CXR confirmed that it was indeed gone. It was addressed early on and that probably helped a lot I think.

How long have you been treated for it? Have you noticed any improvement at all since you began the steroids? Are you still having rads? Did you have a CXR to confirm what's going on in there for sure? Have you had bronchial allergy issues in the past? I'd imagine that the cough syrup is to quiet your cough so you can rest at night? It's sometimes helpful to sleep propped up on several pillows, if you haven't tried that yet. If you've experienced no improvement over this two month period, I'd suggest seeing a lung specialist...or a different one, if you're already seeing one. I understand that it can sometimes hang on for a while but it sounds like you're having quite some difficulty since you cannot talk without coughing! That has to be exhausting and I can't imagine having that going on for two months.

Wondering if you may benefit from some moisturized 02 therapy or something along those lines...and/or some respiratory treatments to open your lungs up so you may breathe better and take in more oxygen? Ask your doctor.

You must get this under control and the sooner the better. I feel so badly for you, that you've suffered this long. I've had secondary pneumonia before...as a result of a nasty flu some years ago, but nothing which ever went on for the length of time you're talking about. Keep us posted and warm hugs ((((dbq))))

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

inkblot said:

Hi dbqueen,

I had this. It cropped up around the last week of my rads. (I had 37 tx, total)

I had no fever or particular fatigue...just a bit of a dry, hacking cough, which was off and on but not severe. When it didn't clear up after a day or two, I rang my pulmonologist (I've had mild ashtma for about 15 years). He knew I was having rads as I'd seen him for a ck up before I started. He went ahead and prescribed an antibiotic immediately and told me to begin using my albuterol inhaler (the
bronchodilator type) but no steroid inhaler or steroid pills. That was to keep the airways open. Next day I went for a CXR and a visit with him, just to confirm his suspicions. There was one small spot of it, on my left lung, which was easy to see. My bc was on the left side, so that made sense.

Radiation pneumonitis isn't uncommon, from what I've heard and read but seems it should begin to clear sooner, with treatment, than you've experienced. Mine cleared within about 10 days and never got any worse and I had no residual problems. A follow up CXR confirmed that it was indeed gone. It was addressed early on and that probably helped a lot I think.

How long have you been treated for it? Have you noticed any improvement at all since you began the steroids? Are you still having rads? Did you have a CXR to confirm what's going on in there for sure? Have you had bronchial allergy issues in the past? I'd imagine that the cough syrup is to quiet your cough so you can rest at night? It's sometimes helpful to sleep propped up on several pillows, if you haven't tried that yet. If you've experienced no improvement over this two month period, I'd suggest seeing a lung specialist...or a different one, if you're already seeing one. I understand that it can sometimes hang on for a while but it sounds like you're having quite some difficulty since you cannot talk without coughing! That has to be exhausting and I can't imagine having that going on for two months.

Wondering if you may benefit from some moisturized 02 therapy or something along those lines...and/or some respiratory treatments to open your lungs up so you may breathe better and take in more oxygen? Ask your doctor.

You must get this under control and the sooner the better. I feel so badly for you, that you've suffered this long. I've had secondary pneumonia before...as a result of a nasty flu some years ago, but nothing which ever went on for the length of time you're talking about. Keep us posted and warm hugs ((((dbq))))

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

I am a survivor over 5 years out. I'm having new respiratatory problems like never before and wonder if it is just another one of the side effects that I'll have to live with because of BrCa treatment. I'm having coughing and bronchial spasms that nearly leave me gasping for any air I can get. I'm now doing the steam, albuterol,steroids and have had 2 antibiotics. As far as I know, I'm doing everything by the textbook. Would someone shed some light on why this is happening?