Hello ladies, I am looking for some advise, help for my sister . Her recent ct scan showed progression. She has secondaries to her bones, liver and large pleural effusion.
The problems that she has been experiencing have really been since they drained her lung . She has more pain in her ribs,back and abdomen. She has been having issues with constipation which she is on various meds for . Her oncologist seemed to think that the pain was from constipation but even after ’ going to the toilet’ the pain doesn’t get any easier and now she has had to start oramorph although I know this is in itself constipating. They have done a talc pleurodisis but the oncologist says there is still some fluid on her lung! . Can a pleurodisis cause pain ?. I think she regrets having it done as she did not have this pain before . She has been taken off xeloda and can’t wait to start halaven as she seemed much better whilst on chemo .she still hasn’t got a date , but told not this week . Frightened now as not on any treatment and scared lung is refilling and worried what liver is doing . Sorry for long post , but she is at the end of her tether, won’t come on here herself but asks me to for advise . Thanks for listening, love and best wishes xxx
Hi Flo12,
While you are waiting for replies from your fellow forum users you might find it helpful to give our helpline team here a ring and have a chat with them about your sisters problems, I’m sure they’ll be able to help in some way. Lines are open now until 5pm tonight, 9-5 Mon -Fri 10-2 Sat, calls are free, 0808 800 6000.
I hope this helps. Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Flo12, sorry to hear about your sister’s progression and discomfort. I have secondaries in my pleura, the first sign of which was a pleural effussion. I had 9 pints of fluid drained and then a pleurodisis. About a day after the procedure I had bad pain in my rib cage which lasted about two days. it felt like I’d been crushed. I wondered at the time whether it the tube they inserted to drain the fluid had somehow put my ribs and back out of position. I also had a little fluid left and was told this was normal and that the chemotherapy would clear the last little bit. I remember being very scared about my lung filling up again, particularly as I hadn’t really had any syptoms. That was about four months ago now and I no longer think about it. As for the abdominal pain, I don’t know. I had a 2cm tumour in my liver which never caused me any pain or discomfort. I hope this helps a little bit. Please pass on my best wishes to your sister.
Moondog