HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - To Eleanor-taxotere side effects

01-26-2004, 10:45 AM

Hi,

Since you labeled yourself as the "poster child" of side effects I have yet another question for you. As you know, my ct. scan last week was clean....but I'm still coughing and having a lot of shortness of breath. I do not have pleural effusion or congestive heart failure, or pnemonia. I have only been on steroids the day before the chemo, my last dose being a week ago (20 mg. then 10 more mg. the day of chemo). I know the steroids can make you retain fluid/shortness of breath, etc. as well as the taxotere. I have read that it takes about 6 weeks for the chemo to clear the body.

My questions for you: How long can the shortness of breath/coughing/swelling last? Can it last the full 6 weeks? I'm going to ask about an inhaler, maybe that would help--I have wheezing when I exhale that you can hear yet my onc told me she cannot hear it with the stethoscope. I spoke to a mom at my daughter's school who is a nurse and she said maybe I have a viral bronchitis. Perhaps this could be part of the cause along with the side effects.

Sorry for all the questions but this shortness of breath sure does interfere with life!! I get short of breath just doing everyday activities. I'm thrilled to be NED but I want to be able to breathe normally!!

THanks for your help.

Blessings and Hugs,

Linda in MI.

01-26-2004, 10:45 AM	#1
Linda in MI. Guest Posts: n/a	Hi, Since you labeled yourself as the "poster child" of side effects I have yet another question for you. As you know, my ct. scan last week was clean....but I'm still coughing and having a lot of shortness of breath. I do not have pleural effusion or congestive heart failure, or pnemonia. I have only been on steroids the day before the chemo, my last dose being a week ago (20 mg. then 10 more mg. the day of chemo). I know the steroids can make you retain fluid/shortness of breath, etc. as well as the taxotere. I have read that it takes about 6 weeks for the chemo to clear the body. My questions for you: How long can the shortness of breath/coughing/swelling last? Can it last the full 6 weeks? I'm going to ask about an inhaler, maybe that would help--I have wheezing when I exhale that you can hear yet my onc told me she cannot hear it with the stethoscope. I spoke to a mom at my daughter's school who is a nurse and she said maybe I have a viral bronchitis. Perhaps this could be part of the cause along with the side effects. Sorry for all the questions but this shortness of breath sure does interfere with life!! I get short of breath just doing everyday activities. I'm thrilled to be NED but I want to be able to breathe normally!! THanks for your help. Blessings and Hugs, Linda in MI.