Breathlessness

[Joan]

Has anyone experienced a feeling of breathlessness after completing radiation therapy?

I finished rads in November and I am now getting a feeling, every now and then, like my breath is taken away for an instant - somethng like....I am about to sneeze or perhaps hiccup and the breath is temporarily caught just for an instant. Also, I sometimes feel that I can't get a deep breath and sometimes when at rest, lying down, I actually hear a creaking, gurgling sound, sometimes a little wheezing noise in my throat. These feelings came at the end of radiation and I am wondering if anyone else experienced anything similiar?

I will be seeing my onc on the 17th and will mention the symptoms.


Joan

[Patty H]

Joan,

You didn't say what you had radiation on. I just finished 33 treatments on my lung met. I do get a little winded if I do much and I have a constant cough. My Dr. said that radiation is built up over time, like I have 6 1/2 weeks of build up so for me not to expect the side effects to go away in a week. He said each layer will have to come down. Patty H

[Sandy H]

This can be lympdedema fluid in the chest wall. When I lay down or wake up in the morning I have a fullness of fluid in the throat area. Sometimes it feels like wheezing. When I change position or stand up it disappears. This is now and then and not all the time. Also feels like my breath is being taken away but I can still breath. At first I was concern but now I know it is lymphedema in the chest wall that can move around. Always, good to get these checked out. Lymphedema can be caused by radiation or surgery. Hope this help and let us know when you find out. hugs, Sandy