Flyman35 Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 Okay guys, in a word,well 2 words actually. Radiation Pneumonitis Tom will take prednisone again with a gradual decrease. 10mg 4 x daily for 1 week, 3 x daily for 1 week, 2 x daily for 1 week, 1 x daily for 1 week then he will go back in for followup and get a breathing test. So that is where we stand. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Denise, The prednisone should do the job, Denise. Here's hoping for continued improvement. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Denise, Pneumonitis and prednisone are not happy words but at least it's an explanation for Tom's current discomfort. Hope it makes him feeling well very soon. He's lucky you're in his corner to keep things moving. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeye Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Denise, so glad y'all got a diagnosis and hope that Tom can get some relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandyswa Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Denise, Did you say he has COPD? There is a web site www.copdguide16.com and it has a wonderful book to help with copd. I hate copd!!! We have been fighting it for a while now and it seems to just make them so tired. I am glad he is doing better and that the steroids will help him. Yall are in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 So things are not going that great. When Tom was taking the prednisone 4 x daily the cough seemed to be a bit better than the 10mg 1x day that he is on now. Extreme SOB remains an issue. He is still using the Symbicort inhaler on top of the prednisone to try and get some relief. He is just so tired all the time no because he just can't breathe. The appt with the pulmonologist was moved up to the 20th of this month. He will go back for a recheck and the breathing function tests. Tom thinks he waited too long to get treatment and has irreversible damage. I hope that is not the case and he can start breathing somewhat normal again. We had put the next CT scan out a couple of weeks until Dec 8th because the Onc wanted to wait for the pneumonitis to calm down. If this is permanent how will it affect the next scan? Will it make a difference in how things appear? I am wondering now if he will have to stay on the prednisone for good. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 pneumonitis doesn't always clear up. We have had some members here have it for a very long time. I know it's not fun to have, I had it too. The SOB was horrible when I had it, but I was lucky in that mine did clear up. Hard to say what they will do. Tell Tom I am sending him Get Well Wishes. I sure can relate to what he feels like. IT SUCKS! Even with my heart problems I had SOB and I too was very tired. It knocks you on your butt being SOB. Hang in there Tom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi Denise. I can't answer your questions but I am sorry to hear that things have not yet improved. I will keep sending positive thoughts and energy your way. Take care Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Denise, I am so sorry to hear Tom is not bouncing back. It may just take time. I don't know what irreversible damage he is concerned about. I do know that after my pleural effusion and pneumonia was resolved, they did x-rays to check on any remaining fluid levels. They said it was better than the CT for that purpose. I could be wrong but I'm inferring that what he has either won't be picked up well or that it will at least be differentiated from any cancer effects with the CT. And truthfully, I don't know the difference between pneumonitis and pneumonia. Anyone? Hang in there both of you. Nov 20 must seem like forever to Tom when he can't breathe, never mind Dec 8 until the CT. Sending positive thoughts and energy your way. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I am late on board here, but my mom had breathing issues and was in ICU and was horrible and turns out it was heart related and she needed a bypass. Maybe see if they can do some cardio tests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I just thought I would share with you what Pneumnonitis and Pneumonia means being Judy made a good point about it. Pneumonitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of lung tissue. Pneumonia is one type of pneumonitis caused by an infection. Many other factors can cause pneumonitis, including breathing in animal dander, inhaling small food particles "down the wrong pipe" and receiving radiation therapy to your chest.[1] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks Connie. Very interesting. Pneumonitis is one of those words I keep encountering here and wonder about. I am usually too lazy to look it up in the dictionary or ask. Appreciate the feedback. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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