Just wanted to know if anyone else is having the same sort of symptoms as me.
It has been a year this month since I finished my 4 week course of radiotherapy for Breast Cancer. The last six months I have noticed my chest is weaker, and I have been susceptible to minor colds which turn into painful chest infections. My gp has prescribed me with an inhaler to help me breath a little easier, but has suggested steroid preventative inhalers to help keep my airways open.
Does or has anyone else had anything similar, im pulling my hair out with this and no one seems to know the answer. To top it off ive received a letter from my employer to go to a meeting with personnel because ive triggered the absenteeism review as Ive had odd days off work because some days I just can’t breathe.
Can anyone help please??
Re the work thing - you are covered by Disability Discrimination Act at work even though you may have finished treatment. Not sure of all the ins and outs but sure someone could help.
I finished rads 2 yrs ago and still find I get tired quickly and am more susceptible to colds and they take longer to get over - think it’s just part of the long-term effects. My mum is the same and she’s 7 yrs post rads. If you are uncertain and want some reassurance, can you contact your oncology dept or bcn ? They can tell you what you can expect to be ‘normal’ in your case.
And thankyou, its nice to know that it isn’t just me. I knew deep down it was something to do with Radiotherapy, people have short memories that you work with. Although I am now thankfully clear of any cancer, the side effects from treatment look as though they may continue for some time. I have an appointment with my oncologist 30th march so I shall be asking far more questions than I usually do.
I may research a little more so that I am armed up for my interview with personnel next week.
Thanks again Liz
Hi,
It’s really interesting to read your post as I have had the most awful cough for the last three weeks (finished rads last Nov). I’ve been trying to ignore it but am off to see the Doctor tomorrow as it has become worse over the last few days and last night I started coughing up blood. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried sick about it, but as it’s the second time I’ve had this since rads I wonder if that’s what may be the cause. I have never been prone to coughs before, so will ask Doc tomorrow if the rads may be the reason. Probably should have gone today bu my own GP wasn’t in and I will only see him! It’s so annoying as was going to go for first swim tonight since MX but don’t feel up to it now.
Sorry! That was all about me. Do you have a union or HR person you could speak to about your time off work. Oh flippin heck, why do we feel we have to keep explaining ourselves all the time. As you say, people have very short memories! This is not a situation any of us ever wanted to be in in the first place! I hope things go ok for you at work and healthwise, let us know.
Love Esme x
Glad you are going to the doctors with your cough. You need to get that checked out. Could be another side effect from the radiotherapy for you too, good luck with that.
I am in a union at work so might give them a call and see if someone can come with me to the meeting, thanks hadn’t thought of that.
Will let you know how I get on, my meeting is at 10.30 next wednesday.
Look after yourself and let us know how you get on at the docs
I am posting a link to the BCC web page on EMPLOY which contains useful info about work issues after a diagnosis of breast cancer, you can download information for yourself and your employer to ensure that you are being treated fairly at work, hope this helps:
Thankyou for the information, I have downloaded both files onto a memory stick and will print them off at work, giving one to my employer.
Its lovely to have this site to support each and everyone one of us on here, you do a wonderful job, thanks again.
HI
yes I get very short of breath, and chest and upper back pain.
I finished rads last August so thought it was nothing to do with that,but it could be as you say you finished rads last March.
Libby x
Might be worth getting that checked out. I don’t think any of us realise how severe these side effects can be or how disruptive they are to your daily life, still better than having the other option though.
Im going to be asking my oncologist questions when I see him on the 30th. I don’t know about you but I tend to mull along and not say too much, so long as everything is going ok, but think that is about to change from now on.
Well, saw my GP this morning about this cough. He says it may well be due to the rads and it can last for quite a while in some people. He has given me an inhaler and antibiotics but also sent me for a chest x ray. I was dreading that he would suggest an x ray as I am so scared of what the result might be. I should get the results in about a week so will try and bury my head in the sand and not think about it.
Glad to hear you have some medication from your GP. Try not to worry about the chest x-ray, if your GP was really concerned about it he would have sent you to the hospital to get checked out where you would have had your results on the same day.
Stay positive, you have come so far already.
Take Care of yourself Esme
By the way you aren’t a Twilight fan are you? as soon as I saw the name I was intrigued, Im a nutty twilight fan haha!!
Hi Manutd4eva47,
Thank you for your message. I know you’re right about the x ray. It’s just this ruddy disease, it messes with your head! Just when I think things are improving I get some silly little thing and end up convincing myself that it must something dreadful!
I have to be honest, I havn’t got into the twilight thing, but my friend loves it, so will have to start educating myself!
The name Esme came about many years ago when I worked with an elderly lady who early dementia. Most of the time her memory was not too bad, but she always insisted that my name was Esme and in the end everyone at work called me Esme. In my younger days of going out on the town, if I got chatted up by someone I wasn’t too sure of I’d tell them my name was Esme rather than my real name and so Esme became my ‘other’ me!
Hope you are doing ok, and everyone else, and that you you are all having the beautiful sunny weather that we have here in the west country today. It helps to lift the spirits a little.
I was so pleased to come across this thread, I am sixteen months post rads and am still trying desperately to get fit. I don’t have to do very much to get very very tired. I do ‘Senior’ Aquafit for an hour once a week and that is OK but I am also trying to walk more. I’m fine on the flat and can walk for miles but if I come to a hill my chest tightens and I get really short of breath to the extent sometimes I have to stop because I am dizzy. As I live in Cornwall which is all hills it is a blooming nuisance. I thought it was because I was soooo unfit but now I am wondering. I am due for my six monthly check up sometime in April so I must remember to ask the question.
It sounds as though there are many of us with the same problems post rads, there really has to be something in this. Collectively we need to ask the questions and compare notes.
Well ended up down the hospital on Monday having lots of tests after my GP became concerned about my breathlessness.
Apparantly she has seen several cases of blood clots with Tamoxifen usage. As this is one of the side effects of this drug she didn’t hesitate to refer me.
So 5 hours later ecg, chest x-ray and several blood tests, one in my wrist which flipping hurt and I mean hurt, they said they didn’t suspect a clot and that I have just got a severe viral infection and it will take time to clear. The cause of which is my job working with children and having a weakness on my right side due to pneumonia 5 years ago and radiotherapy side effects 12 months ago. So although I didn’t get it in writing, it would appear we are all probably right about the side effects of radiotherapy and need to keep a close eye on our health. Ask about anything we are unsure of and make sure we don’t get fobbed off.
Well good health everybody, take care
Oh P.s. Personnel cancelled my appointment until next wednesday as I am off sick till next tuesday, bet that pleased them haha!!!
Have just heard from my GP that my chest x ray shows no signs of secondaries, just an infection. Can live with that! I’ve been utterly terrified these last few days, just so relieved!
Manutd. so glad you are ‘ok’ too. Sorry you also have an infection, but glad it’s not the worst. Hope everyone else is doing ok too.
I was interested to read both of your progress re the rads and chest/viral infections. I’ve had rads about 8 months ago and had my annual cold/chest infection last week! It’s taking a while to go but the antibiotics have cleared it up nicely. Didn’t know before I read your comments that rads might prolong the recovery but I seem to still have signs if the cold in my sinus. I’ll look out for that in the future. Thank you.
So pleased your results are good news for you Esme, it must have been a very worrying time, over now though so onwards and upwards for you. Take care of yourself and get lots of rest, ive found that is a huge help, can’t sit still so mine got worse, im learning slowly haha!!
Take care of yourself SusieABee and get lots of rest, it lingers for ages, ive had mine nearly 4 weeks in total and getting worse rather than better.
Thank you for your advice. I’m trying to listen to my body always now. If I feel tired I rest if possible and go to bed early. I always think that your body tells you what it needs and is quite a good indicator of your fitness and mood so I might as well take heed! Chest much improved today and sinus seems to be better this evening. Test results tomorrow - oh no! I’ve spent the last week worrying and just need to get there now! S x