Hebbie Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Hi, I had a CT Scan yesterday for a pesky cough I have had for the past month. While it did show some "irriation", around my esophogus from my radiation treatments, it also showed a slight plueral effusion on the side my surgery was on. Nothing that they seemed to concerned about, they want to do another scan in 3 months and see if it changes. The doctor said this is not uncommon after surgery/rad/chemo and that it should work itself out, but it has me VERY FREAKED OUT. Has anyone else had this reaction after radiation? Did it go away on it's own? Any insight would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 My husband also has a small pocket of fluid that they just watch. It has decreased some with time. He hasn't had surgery, I assume it is from the radiation or chemo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckyg Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Heather, I have had a small pleural effusion since the end of May, the first scan after radiation. The only time anybody has been concerned about it is when they were considering surgery--if it has cancer cells it it, they won't do surgery. Before I had it tested, the doctors all told me that fluid like that is a very common result of radiation. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyd Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Heather, After Earl's lung surgery the scans showed some fluid in his chest, doctors words - they never said plueral effusion or whatever. They acted like it was the most natural thing in the world and it has shrunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Hebbie, I too had a cough for about two and a half weeks. I was running a low grade fever and was running out of energy. I went to Loma Linda Medical Center ER (we were out camping) on the 13th of Sept.... They couldn't find out what was wrong, they did chest x-ray, blood and urine, IV for hydration (2 bags.) Lungs were clear, no fluid so they gave me Cipro (Antibiotic). I told the doc I had this same med 4 yrs ago and didn't work for me. They wouldn't listen, they know what they are doing. Went home from camping on Sunday, went to onc on Monday (can't break the fever 102.0) taking tylenol every 4 hours. Onc gave me new prescription for antibiotics on Monday. Went into Onc for Procrit shot on Tuesday, was given IV for hydration. Tuesday night ended up in Hospital for 102.4 fever. Did x-rays. blood work, urine and determined I had pnemonia (admitted) WBC's normal, RBC 3.2 and Hemoglobin was 6.00. Still no fluid on lungs. Was given antibiotics and IV's for hydration, blood transfusion to bring up RBC and Hemoglobin. It all worked. No more fever, cough subsiding. Was in the hospital for four days, still on antibiotics, came home from Hospital 4 days ago. Not trying to scare you, but have everything checked out. Just sharing my recent experience, everyone is different. I also had 38 treatments of radiation, which ended May 15th, 2003. I very seldom get sick, I was in shock. My onc didn't think I had pnemonia, but doc in ER said I did. I have an appointment with my Pulmonary doctor just to make sure all is well. Are you running a fever, how is your RBC's and WBC's and Hemoglobin (for women should be at least a 12.0.) Just have all of these things checked, better to on top of things instead of something sneaking up on you. You are in my prayers and good luck..... God Bless and prying for a "Cure" for all of us Karen ********** Dx'd 3-03, 3-a, nsc, radiation and chemo (taxol/carbo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted September 26, 2003 Author Share Posted September 26, 2003 Karen Don't worry -- you didn't scare me (any more than I already am!!) I have an appt. w/ my radiation oncologist next Wednesday and they are scheduling a broncoscopy as well to see what is going on down there. They seem pretty certain it is still just irritation from the radiation that is making me cough, but I would rather know difinitively..... Thanks for everyone's input, I am so glad we have each other to turn to with questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Hebbie, Everything will be alright. It is better to have it checked and be safe. I now know what to look for and am now aware of the symptoms. From now on I will have everything checked, no matter how minor. You are in my prayers everyday. God Bless and praying for a "Cure" for all of us....... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I don't know how similar it is but I finished 31 radiation treatments 9/11/03. when I saw pulmonologist 10/7 he said I had a pleural rub or something like pleurisy caused bu irritation from radiation. I could sorta hear myself wheezing. I am on cough medicine and prednisone. Neither he nor the medical radiologist seem concerned about it. BLT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Heather, When did your cough start? I pray that it resolves on it's on. I understand that is usually the case on small efussions. Keep us posted! PRAYING FOR YOU GIRL!! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I thought I posted a reply to the question of coughs but it isn't showing up here. See it under my page, BLT joined in July 03. Hope it helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Hi BLT -- your cough post is actually listed somewhere else -- I just read it (about going to the Pulminary doc?). In any event -- I did see a pulminary specialist at my hospital and he put me on a short (3 week) course of Prednizone and prescribed an Advair inhailer. It's been about a week and a half and the difference is amazing. Still have a little of the "iching" in my chest when I take a deep breath, but I can actually roll over at night without waking up in a coughing fit.....I believe he said that after 3 weeks he would stop the Prednizone and if it seems to have worked, he will probably continue me on the inhailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Hi Heather; Just wanted to let know I'm thinking of ya, Certainly OK to be freaked out over the cough and plueral effusion, anyone would be!!, But it does sound like you got a good team of doc.'s . Can't add anything but prayers, so I will!! God bless, be well and hang in there; Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Heather, while you are on advair be sure and rinse your mouth and gargle after each use so you do not get thrush or a fungus and have to stop taking it. Glad you are doing better. God Bless BLT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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