shortness of breath a possbile side effect of gemzar and navelbine? have been on this combo for 2 weeks and short of breath at times .. mostly when i am very tired. have chemo on friday and it usually hits me on sunday and/or monday ?

I think shortness of breath can be attributed partly to low red blood counts/anemia. I experienced that with all the chemos I've had that lower blood counts, it would usually hit by the middle of the cycle. I had to pace myself when just walking, also bending over to pick something up would make me dizzy and I'd see stars...

Gemzar can exacerbate a condition known as "radiation pneumonitis" or radiation feedback. This will make you short of breath. I, too, had these symptoms but prednisone helped me considerably.