chest and abdominal pain

aandj
aandj Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am writing on behalf of my wife (34) who was diagnosed with Ovain Cancer in October. After two lots of surgery (second - total abdominal hysterectomy) and second cycle of chemo last thursday (Carboplatin). She has acute upper chest pain which started in the left shoulder about a week before the first cycle of chemo. The doctor dismissed it a a muscle strain but it has got steadly worse and now is right across her upper chest and right shoulder. She had a Xray and CT scan with contrast as all showed clear. The doctor now thinks that it is Pleurisy but after futher tests by a lung specialist this was discounted. She is also complaining of abdominal pain too. I am just writing to see if anyone else has had similar pain and what can be done about it of if it is just chemo side effects but it started before the first cycle and got worse over the christams period. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    Hello.
    How wonderful of you to research this for your wife. I know this must be a difficult time for the both of you. But this place is great for info, tips, venting, and making lots of friends.

    I personally don't recall any shoulder/chest pain. I too would have thought of pleuresy, so I'm glad it has been ruled out. Is she getting her chemo through an IV or port?

    As for the abdominal pain, most of us are probably going to mention the terrible constipation that comes with most chemo drugs. I took Senna-S several days before chemo, as well as during and after. Naturally, the best things to do is keep up lots of liquids and good veges and grains, even prune juice. And that's difficult to do when you're not exactly feeling well to begin with, plus it seems like you are always 'chasing' it and can't catch up. This might be a consideration, so pose that question to the doctor. It is vitally important that you keep up with that situation - intestinal blockages are not uncommon.

    What stage is your wife? Does she have a gynecologic/oncologist? Those are usually the best to work with.

    In the meantime, here's hoping that things will go better for your wife. Come back and let us know how she's doing. Keep in touch, and maybe someday she'll feel like visiting here, too.

    Monika
  • aandj
    aandj Member Posts: 33
    #3
    mopar said:

    Hello.
    How wonderful of you to research this for your wife. I know this must be a difficult time for the both of you. But this place is great for info, tips, venting, and making lots of friends.

    I personally don't recall any shoulder/chest pain. I too would have thought of pleuresy, so I'm glad it has been ruled out. Is she getting her chemo through an IV or port?

    As for the abdominal pain, most of us are probably going to mention the terrible constipation that comes with most chemo drugs. I took Senna-S several days before chemo, as well as during and after. Naturally, the best things to do is keep up lots of liquids and good veges and grains, even prune juice. And that's difficult to do when you're not exactly feeling well to begin with, plus it seems like you are always 'chasing' it and can't catch up. This might be a consideration, so pose that question to the doctor. It is vitally important that you keep up with that situation - intestinal blockages are not uncommon.

    What stage is your wife? Does she have a gynecologic/oncologist? Those are usually the best to work with.

    In the meantime, here's hoping that things will go better for your wife. Come back and let us know how she's doing. Keep in touch, and maybe someday she'll feel like visiting here, too.

    Monika

    Hi Monika,

    Thank you for your reply. As I write my wife has gone to her local ER where she used to work for a abdominal xray so I will have to wait and see. I am not sure my wife believes that the chemo and its side effects is the cause of the problems she is feeling and I dont want to judge her on that and just say it is probibly the chemo so I am trying to find out from people that are or who have gone through the same situation. Sometimes I would rather not rely on doctors for their prognosis unless they have been though it. May I ask what chemo drug you are/were on. As I said my wife is on Carboplatin (just carbo) and the information on it does not really go ito so much detail on side effects other than the tireness and Nausia.

    My wife was diagnosed very early thankfully so it is stage 1 but everything came out in the second op after the first op discovered a cyst that one encapsulated in the one ovary was cancerous. Test on the second ovary when taken out also had small clusters of cancerous cells but the rest was clear. She has a gyne oncologist so he is over seeing her treatment but he is the one that say that the pain she is feeling is from irritation of her mucus membrane of the lungs. The abdominal pains have only started recent.
    So any insight from a personal side on the effects of Carbo would be greatly appreciated.
    Best wishes Jeremy
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    I had shoulder pain on the right side after 4 rounds of taxol and carboplatin and the debulking surgery (mine was extensive involving radio frequency ablation of three liver tumors). I was told the shoulder pain was referred pain from the liver trauma and took ibuprophen. That cured it. I had no chest or shoulder pain from the chemo, just leg and hip and feet. The constipation is everyone's main problem and that does cause pain all over the abdomen. Flooding by drinking lots of water is the best and hardest thing to do. Lots of experience on this site so ask any questions you like.
  • paula2
    paula2 Member Posts: 162
    #5
    I agree with the ladies on this one, be sure that your wife is staying regular, no matter how many laxatives it takes. The anti-nausea drugs given with chemo are also constipating. I have had gas pains clear into my chest and shoulder...and extremely painful in the intestines. If the problem is in the lungs, sometimes steroids are used against inflammation. All the best of luck to you and bless you for being supportive. I imagine that you've been riding an emotional roller coaster yourself. Hang in there, Jeremy, her prognosis sounds good at stage 1. Encourage her to take walks, nothing strenuous but enough to keep things moving. Sennakot S is the best laxative I've found, and maybe, Swiss Kriss, an herbal senna. Again, prayers and good thoughts for strength and healing and easier times.
    Paula2
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #7
    aandj said:

    Hi Monika,

    Thank you for your reply. As I write my wife has gone to her local ER where she used to work for a abdominal xray so I will have to wait and see. I am not sure my wife believes that the chemo and its side effects is the cause of the problems she is feeling and I dont want to judge her on that and just say it is probibly the chemo so I am trying to find out from people that are or who have gone through the same situation. Sometimes I would rather not rely on doctors for their prognosis unless they have been though it. May I ask what chemo drug you are/were on. As I said my wife is on Carboplatin (just carbo) and the information on it does not really go ito so much detail on side effects other than the tireness and Nausia.

    My wife was diagnosed very early thankfully so it is stage 1 but everything came out in the second op after the first op discovered a cyst that one encapsulated in the one ovary was cancerous. Test on the second ovary when taken out also had small clusters of cancerous cells but the rest was clear. She has a gyne oncologist so he is over seeing her treatment but he is the one that say that the pain she is feeling is from irritation of her mucus membrane of the lungs. The abdominal pains have only started recent.
    So any insight from a personal side on the effects of Carbo would be greatly appreciated.
    Best wishes Jeremy

    Hi Jeremy:
    I was on carboplatin and taxol the first time. Again, the second time, but developed an allergy to taxol so it was switched to taxotere. As you're finding out, there's lots of side affects with all of these chemo drugs, almost unavoidable. So, we just try to stay on top of it; knowing what's possibly ahead helps us to be prepared. I also had to take pre-meds before chemo and several days after treatment. Then they pre-medicated me again just before infusion with Benadryl, steroids, Pepcid, Anzemet, etc. All these were to help minimize allergic reactions and other unpleasant side affects. I kept a journal of everything that was going on, what I took, how I felt, etc. So I was able to have certain things on hand to help, and to be prepared.

    Stage 1 is VERY encouraging. Tell your wife to be positive and hopeful, as she and you will find on this website there is cause to be positive. We have many survivors even at Stage 4!

    Stay Strong!
    Monika
  • curlee8661
    curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
    #8
    Hi Jeremy,

    Welcome to our group! I'm sorry that you and your wife are going through this. I think you're right in that the people who have gone through this can sometimes be of more help than the docs. But, of course, you always want to get the medical advice and testing first!

    I had chest pain for a couple of days following my first chemo (Carboplatin/Taxol). It sort of felt like someone was sitting on my chest, a heavy/constricting feeling. My oncologyst ordered a chest x-ray and EKG which came back normal. He said the chest pain must've been a reaction to the chemo, and suggested that I take the steroid Decadron, (prescibed for pre/post chemo use) for 2 additional days following each treatment. That must've done the trick since I had no more chest pain. About 12 hours after my second surgery, I had the same sort of pain across my chest again. I didn't think too much of it, but when I told the nurse they immediately began EKG, blood work, and a CT scan. None of the tests showed anything, other than my blood being slightly low in Magnesium. Thinking back on these two episodes, I can't help but wonder if the chest pain was stress induced. Going through surgery and chemo (and just the idea of having cancer) is very frightening. It's all very unfamiliar and anxiety producing, so as simplistic as this may sound, some relaxation training might help. Get a relaxation/meditation type of CD and have your wife use that a couple of times a day. It can't hurt, and it may just do some good.

    I aggree with the other ladies that the abdominal discomfort is likely to be from constipation. A common problem that needs to be avoided, but be careful what you use! You don't want to use something that causes cramping or other type of discomfort and make things worse. Personally, I found a preventive method of using MiraLAX (OTC), which is more of a stool softener than a traditional laxative, very helpful. Taking it the day before chemo and for the next 3-4 days took care of the problem for me.

    Keep coming back here! Even if we don't have an answer for your particular question, at least you and your wife know that you're not alone! If nothing else, this place is always a good sounding board. I hope the test results from the ER came back negative!

    ((HUGS to you both))
    ~Marianna~
  • aandj
    aandj Member Posts: 33
    #9
    Hi there all - This is Angela - Jeremy's Wife - feeling a bit better today! He has shown me the comments that people have made - and I am really amazed and touched by the caring that is shown. This is my first time seeing a site like this, and I have to say that I am amazed at the willingness of total strangers to offer help - so thanks everyone, you have given me some great ideas, and if I have more questions about anything I will most definately come here! The worst part for me at the moment is that I have not really had anyone to talk to who knows exactly what I am going through. Jeremy is the most amazing supportive husband, but my friends, although caring, are a bit clueless, and often make comments that they do not realise are very insensitive - my one friend the other day made a comment about how glad I must be that I will never have a period again - how do I explain to her that I would give anything to have that minor inconvenience back! Anyway, that's a whole other chat!
    Thanks again
    Angela
  • curlee8661
    curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
    #10
    aandj said:

    Hi there all - This is Angela - Jeremy's Wife - feeling a bit better today! He has shown me the comments that people have made - and I am really amazed and touched by the caring that is shown. This is my first time seeing a site like this, and I have to say that I am amazed at the willingness of total strangers to offer help - so thanks everyone, you have given me some great ideas, and if I have more questions about anything I will most definately come here! The worst part for me at the moment is that I have not really had anyone to talk to who knows exactly what I am going through. Jeremy is the most amazing supportive husband, but my friends, although caring, are a bit clueless, and often make comments that they do not realise are very insensitive - my one friend the other day made a comment about how glad I must be that I will never have a period again - how do I explain to her that I would give anything to have that minor inconvenience back! Anyway, that's a whole other chat!
    Thanks again
    Angela

    Hi Angela,
    It's nice to see you here. I hope this means that you're feeling better! What did the ER doc say about your pain?

    I know what you mean about people being clueless. Unfortunately, cancer is such a scarry topic for most people that many can't deal with it at all and just stay away, avoid the topic, or become tongue-tied and blurt out some stupid things. I was hurt by some family and friend's reactions until I realised that they just don't know what to say. Before being diagnosed, I used to feel akward too when people talked to me about their cancer. Now, of course, I could practically write a book on the topic.

    It's that feeling that nobody understands you that really makes this place special, because here we all do understand. Our experiences may not always be exactly the same, but our fears and our hopes are, so we can relate to each other, and we can reassure those still going through treatment that what they are experiencing is "normal". You're very fortunate that you have Jeremy by your side through all this, being so helpful and supportive, but let's face it, some things the guys just can't relate to. Whenever you feel the need come back here and ask a question, or just let us know how you're doing! You can always email any of us if you need to talk, just click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the post of the person you want to contact. Also, you might want to look for a local support group in your area! Where do you live? I'm in the Los Angeles area, and there's a support group specifically for ovarian cancer survivors, as well as a couple of general cancer support groups. There are lots people to talk to, you just need to reach out to find them.

    Take care!
    ~Marianna~
  • aandj
    aandj Member Posts: 33
    #11
    curlee8661 said:

    Hi Angela,
    It's nice to see you here. I hope this means that you're feeling better! What did the ER doc say about your pain?

    I know what you mean about people being clueless. Unfortunately, cancer is such a scarry topic for most people that many can't deal with it at all and just stay away, avoid the topic, or become tongue-tied and blurt out some stupid things. I was hurt by some family and friend's reactions until I realised that they just don't know what to say. Before being diagnosed, I used to feel akward too when people talked to me about their cancer. Now, of course, I could practically write a book on the topic.

    It's that feeling that nobody understands you that really makes this place special, because here we all do understand. Our experiences may not always be exactly the same, but our fears and our hopes are, so we can relate to each other, and we can reassure those still going through treatment that what they are experiencing is "normal". You're very fortunate that you have Jeremy by your side through all this, being so helpful and supportive, but let's face it, some things the guys just can't relate to. Whenever you feel the need come back here and ask a question, or just let us know how you're doing! You can always email any of us if you need to talk, just click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the post of the person you want to contact. Also, you might want to look for a local support group in your area! Where do you live? I'm in the Los Angeles area, and there's a support group specifically for ovarian cancer survivors, as well as a couple of general cancer support groups. There are lots people to talk to, you just need to reach out to find them.

    Take care!
    ~Marianna~

    Thanks Marianna - What Jem and I have not mentioned is that we are almost on the other side of the world! We live in Cape Town, South Africa. It's really amazing for us that there is not something similar to this in South Africa - or not that we can find anyway! I still need to investigate actual support groups in Cape Town. I am seeing a counsellor at the oncology centre, and she has been great. I need to find out from her what support groups there are! Thanks again, A
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #12
    aandj said:

    Thanks Marianna - What Jem and I have not mentioned is that we are almost on the other side of the world! We live in Cape Town, South Africa. It's really amazing for us that there is not something similar to this in South Africa - or not that we can find anyway! I still need to investigate actual support groups in Cape Town. I am seeing a counsellor at the oncology centre, and she has been great. I need to find out from her what support groups there are! Thanks again, A

    Hi Angela & Jeremy!
    Wow! That is on the other side of the planet! It's great to have people from all around the world on this discussion board.

    I'm so glad you stopped by, Angela. And I hope everything you're reading here helps you. There's a lot more here, so come back often.
    Sending luv and hugs to you in South Africa!
    Monika
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #13
    aandj said:

    Hi there all - This is Angela - Jeremy's Wife - feeling a bit better today! He has shown me the comments that people have made - and I am really amazed and touched by the caring that is shown. This is my first time seeing a site like this, and I have to say that I am amazed at the willingness of total strangers to offer help - so thanks everyone, you have given me some great ideas, and if I have more questions about anything I will most definately come here! The worst part for me at the moment is that I have not really had anyone to talk to who knows exactly what I am going through. Jeremy is the most amazing supportive husband, but my friends, although caring, are a bit clueless, and often make comments that they do not realise are very insensitive - my one friend the other day made a comment about how glad I must be that I will never have a period again - how do I explain to her that I would give anything to have that minor inconvenience back! Anyway, that's a whole other chat!
    Thanks again
    Angela

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