Hi all, I was taking Arimidex for 18 months then was taken off it for 18 months due to side effects and it was affecting my Thyroid meds. I was recently put on Exemestane for the foreseeable future, until I see a new breast consultant next month I don’t know much more. Anyway, after feeling quite poorly for quite awhile, I was admitted to hospital last week with dehydration, chest infection (I had no typical symptoms), asthma related lung infection and a very bad reaction to the antibiotic Clarithromycin. I was given already taking Prednisolone steroids (8 a day) and the antibiotic Doxycycline, and in hospital they gave me through an IV drip more antibiotics, liquid steroids and saline. The consultant (not my own) who did the rounds the next morning said they were reviewing the chest X-ray down the night before and considering my breast cancer history they wanted a second opinion, which they gave me the results of, which spooked me a lot. He said they could see what they thought were calicifications in my lungs and also my most recent mammogram. What on earth does that all mean? They told me that it would take a number of months before the scarring heals in my lungs and respiratory system, but in the meantime will my new consultant I’m seeing next month consider doing any further tests or scans to check if there’s anything untoward happening. Yikes. Cheers, Michele ?
If you have had bad chest infections it does scar the lungs, my understanding is that califications in the lung is actually indicative of benign changes and not cancer. Califications in the breast tissue is usually benign too. I think your medical team are just doing their jobs and being careful given your medical history. My sister has had calcifications in her breasts for the past 20 years, she hates going for mammos because she knows they are always going to send her for an ultrasound to hone in on the calcifications.
Hi there, just to agree with Stacey. My 82 year old mother has had calfications in one breast ever since giving birth aged 22. She used to hate going for mammograms too because they also used to insist on biopsying them and, I think, it was much more painful in those days. Doesn’t get called for screening anymore, obviously, but is hale & hearty. It’s very easy to think the worst when you’ve had a BC diagnosis - I think we all do it! Every twinge etc etc is “IT” growing back somewhere else…wish they could give us a tablet to take away those feelings ha ha. All the best Michelle & try to think good thoughts, take care Carol xxx
One thing that you probably already know is that oestrogen has an affect on asthma -this is why some females asthma improves after puberty and worsens after menopause so hormone treatment might have worsened your asthma , possibly leaving you open to infections. This is something to discuss with your team and GP.
I agree with what others have said about the calcifications and that your team seem to be doing their best for you.
If it’s of any help I can tell you that once you have had breast cancer then that will be considered alongside everything else you might seek help with. It is a bit scary but it is far better that it is taken into consideration than not.
Best wishes, I hope you soon start to feel better after this nasty episode.