Hi would appreciate some feedback on my situation if anyone is having the same symptoms. Aug had chemo followed by radiotherapy and started tamoxifen late Dec. Early January started with herceptin have had 2 going to have 3 next week. Chest feels heavy, feels like I cannot get enough air into my lungs causing discomfort. Had all tests done to eliminate clot on the lungs CT scan all negative and sats all perfectly normal this only started 1 week ago. Could this be a combination of the drugs I am on or subconscious anxiety. Would appreciate some help.
Hello Terenia
Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to hear that you are having a tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
Maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Terenia,
It must be very worrying for you. I think anything that affects breathing would set off my panic button! You say you have had some tests but have they done a MUGA scan? I know if you are on herceptin with primary bc they normally do one at the beginning before starting on the drug, and then I think 3mths or 6mths later. But if it is the herceptin causing these breathing problems for you, you should really have another MUGA. If they haven’t suggested that maybe you could ask to speak to the oncologist urgently and ask him directly if that is the problem.
Sorry if this has all been done and I am poking my nose in - but I have many years!!! of experience with herceptin. Do hope they can sort it out for you soon and find out what is causing it.
Dawn
xx
Hi Dawn, thankyou for your feedback. Initialy a heart scan was done and everything was fine, CT done of the lungs no worries this just came sudden a week ago and still the same no better no worse. I feel that I need an answer to why I am feeling like this I have narrowed it down to 3 things anxiety -subconscious- if there is such a thing or the tamoxifen or heceptin. My concern is that if I receive another dose soon will the symptons get worse or am I going to stay like this until the heceptin is over and that’s not until next Jan. xT
I’ll be starting Herceptin after chemo so have been reading up, and also spoke to my onc this week. I will have a heart scan every three months on Herceptin because of the risks of heart problems so you might want to ask your onc if you’re due another heart scan seeing as you’ve started getting breathless.
Hi Terenia,
I think the scan of the heart you have had will have been before you had any herceptin. Because this breathlessness has happened since then you really should contact your onc before you have any more herceptin. It may well be something else but I would not take that risk.
Dawn
xx
Hi Terenia,
I’ve had a problem with breathless in the past, I would describe it as not being able to get enough air on breathing in. I found it really distressing, I am on Herceptin for secondaries (bone) so I was worried if was lung secs or the Herceptin. It went on for about 2 months about 18 months ago. I hoped it was anxiety and I did some breathing exercises and I concentrated on breathing out for longer than breathing in. I read the book Breathing Free by Teresa Hale and that helped a lot.
I’ve not had any problems since.
Hope you get it sorted out.
Sue xx
Hi Terenia
Sorry you don’t feel too good. Please scan back to Nov 22nd same category, heading Herceptin Affecting My Heart, and have a look how Caroline was also feeling and my reply.
Take care
Grandma Pat