Another Week, Another Worry

[kcherub]

I am so stressed out and worried, and for once--scared enough to NOT call my ONC. Since about November, I have had episodes of coughing up phlegm (mostly clear with some brown--not red--specks). I mentioned this to my RAD ONC. when it started, and due to the season, she said not to worry, that she had it, and it was most likely due to using the heating system, and allergies. I had a pretty bad cold in December, and of course it got worse, and the cough felt like raw meat in my throat. It isn't that bad now, but I do still cough, and it varies from wet to dry.

About three weeks ago, maybe around the time I started taking Effexor, I began having NO appetite at all. I have been eating dinner, but can't seem to eat more than 1/2 of my food. I have no pains, no "bathroom" issues, etc. I have also been so tired that I can't make myself do anything when I am not working in my store. I also have been getting out of breath easily in the last week. However, it could also be small panic attacks--I have a lot on my plate right now. It does seem to come and go.

I wanted to be able to attribute this to Effexor, but I really can't remember if all of this started before or after I began taking it. The out of breath feeling became really apparent on Tuesday morning. Just walking up the stairs made me feel "winded". Herceptin might be part of it, but I didn't have A, and my ECHO was at 60 in December. I have had three treatments since that ECHO. So, in a nutshell:

Lack of appetite (I have always been a good eater)
Feeling out of breath (not gasping, just a general feeling)
Coughing up gunk (maybe once a day now)
Dry cough (maybe once or twice a day)
Under a LOT of stress (financial, health, dealing with the general public)

I had a chest CT in April 2007, but haven't had any other scans in that area, other than when they set up my radiation (but I am not even sure what they looked at). The CT I had in December was abdomen and pelvis. They did see the bottom of my lungs, which showed a thickening. However (and I confess this with reservations), I am a smoker, and my RAD ONC. attributed it to that. BTW, I do plan on quitting, but my ONC. said my best bet will be when I am done with treatment.

I am not really sure what I need from you guys. I just know that I can post and vent here, and get it out.

Take care and thanks,