Hi all has anyone else experienced problems with lungs after treatment I’m 3 n half years since diagnosis had chemo n rads but ever since treatment have suffered with chest problems 1 year ago I got whooping cough which did not help and had pleurisy in November last year but since November when laying down I hear crackles like Velcro and I am still coughing ad get exhausted easily Ian finally seeing a lung specialist and I’m having tests for asthma etc which I don’t think it is but has anyone else had anything like this ? Rozita
Hi Rozita
Have you thought about contacting our helpline 0808 600 8000 it is a freephone number and open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-2.
I am sure that you will get some support and responses soon but please remember that our helpline is there to support you as well.
take good care
Anna
Forum Coordinator
Well, not in your situation, and the lung specialist should be able to diagnose the problem, but I wondered if you have some long term damage from the whooping cough, eg bronchiectasis and/or emphysema? The severe and prolonged coughing in WC can damage the integrity of small structures in the lung tissue, and also cause increased mucus secretion which is difficult to clear and so tends to rattle around on deep breathing. WC can be associated with asthma, but only insofar as a higher proportion of people suffering WC also have asthma. It doesn’t actually cause asthma, as far as I am aware.
Hopefully the lung specialist will confirm that it is nothing too much to worry about, and give you advice on management.
Hi Rozita
I had a CT scan a week ago to look at my lungs and thoracic area - I get the results on 21 June.
My symptoms are a cracking or popping sensation in the left side of chest going through to the back, especially worse when laying down, breathing deeply or sitting in some positions. I’m also coughing too but I wouldn’t call it a bad cough, just a bit niggly at times. I get a bit breathless when moving around/walking or doing something strenuous but I put that down to being so unfit.
To give you my background : IBC dx in 2008, right breast - chemo first, mx then radiotherapy along with Herceptin
second dx - new primary in left breast 2012, lumpectomy then radiotherapy and now tamoxifen
I think radiotherapy can be quite damaging around the rib area, Ive suffered 8 cracked ribs since 2009 - 4 on each side for no reason at all.
Hope this reassures you a bit, let us know how you get on and all the best
Thanks for your replies I had some bronchial tests yes today to rule out asthma and I wasn’t I didn’t think it was but had to go thru it anyway. Still coughing and get palpitations but crackling is only when laying down just wish I knew what it was. I don’t think it’s related but my breast tht I had lumpectomy and node removal is very painful at the moment 3 n half years on. Thanks rozita
Hi. I’ve got exactly the same. im on holiday now and have only noticed it as lying down and aware of my breathing. I’m so scared that it’s some thing sinister. and it’s only when I take really deep breaths. And not all the time. I had mx chemo and finished rads in April. Let me know how you get on. X
Bump?
Bump?
Hi Mandy I’ve had these breathing problems since November but taken till may to finally get to see someone about it had those tests the other day but knew it wasn’t asthma so hav t wait for appointment to go back and discuss what next I have palpitations too and sometimes the coughing gets so bad I’m sick I was hoping mayba someone else on here might have had something similar like you I worry X
Rozita
Bl••dy cancer! I’m hoping its damage from either chemo or rads. I keep in touch. Feel free to pm x
Rads can really damage around the area of the lungs, I’ve had some damage to the pleura from my first radiotherapy in 2009, I was coughing enough to fracture a rib especially worse when laying down. Have you thought it might be reflux? In the end I was prescribed tablets for this and the coughing stopped.
I’m back to see my doctor for results of my recent scan on 21 June, this is for the popping sensation.
Hi peacock I hope your scan results are good let us kno how your doing iv woke up this morning with pain in my lung area in right side of back prob from coughing will Ghent Gp t check x rozita
Bump x
Just to report back my scan was ok although showed 4 fractured ribs on each side so 8 in total, thankfully nothing else was revealed so I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Rozita how are you doing?
Bump for Rozita, how are you?
Hi peacock so glad your scan was ok !! But 8 fractured ribs !! That’s not good must be so painful have they given you any answers to why? I’m going back to the specialist on 12 th August can believe it takes so long they did the bronchial tests and that came back ok which I thought it would as they were testing for asthma but instead of doing more tests I’m back again to see him so between seeing him in may thats all ths been done!! I’m still coughing some days I’m ok and if I take tramadol that helps but some days I wake up and just cough all day and usually end up Being sick sometimes after a bout of coughing but sometimes just one or two coughs then up it comes I’m getting good at catching it as I run to the loo!! Charming isn’t it my daughter said “mum your a prise” haha still have some crackling when laying down breathlessand occasional palpitations will just have to hope I get some more tests or answers when I go back . Have asked gp to write a note to try and get an earlier appointment but won’t hold my breath excuse the pun !! I was diagnosed dec 09 Just realised you’ve got a picture of a gorgeous black cat we took on a black kitten tht at was abandoned 6 weeks ago at 6 weeks old and she is just gorgeous totally mad and causing chaos but so cute ! Hope your doing ok at the moment and did they give you any answers for your popping sound? Take care. Rozita x
What a long bout of waiting you’ve had and still no real answers. Just a thought, is your coughing worse when you are in bed or lying down? It’s just that in 2009 after my first lot of treatment, I had coughing then and after tests and scans it was put down to acid reflux. After a week on medication for this (which I’m still on) the coughing had stopped. It never made me actually sick though although I guess it could be part and parcel with having dyspepsia or acid??
No answers to my popping, which I’m pleased has now stopped - it stopped a few weeks back when I thought I’d try a course of anti inflammatories, whether this is what helped or not I will never know. As for the fractures, they’re all pretty old now so no discomfort at the moment - but have had a lot of pain in the past. Again another one of life’s mysteries to keep me on my toes as no reason for the fractures.
Keep me posted with your appointments and hope the coughing eases up for you. Take care xx