update on cough--possible cardiac damage

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scott - 25 Jul 2003 18:47 GMT

Hello Everyone.
My wife (42 Y.O., stage IIb, lobular invasive, just finished 3 months A/C
then 3 months or Taxotere) had a thorough check-out yesterday after seeing
the onco for fluid retention primarily in her legs, along with a
non-productive cough.

She had an ultrasound to see if any blood clots existed in her legs (none
detected), then a spiral-scan CAT to check for pulmonary emboli (!!!... none
detected). However, she has an unexplained amount of fluid in her pleura.
The onc thinks this may be associated with the heart's inability to keep up
with the additional fluid in her body. I'm hoping there's no damage to the
heart muscle itself.

Has anyone had any experience with this? She's on lasix beginning today for
a week, which may help the heart function, too. The scheduled for a
echocardiogram on Wednesday.

Best Wishes to All of You,
Scott

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Sandy L - 25 Jul 2003 20:12 GMT

> Hello Everyone.
> My wife (42 Y.O., stage IIb, lobular invasive, just finished 3 months A/C
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Best Wishes to All of You,
> Scott

Some chemotherapeutic agents can cause cardiac damage, as can radiation
therapy. Adriamycin in particular can be associated with heart
problems. Of course, conditions unrelated to breast cancer can also
cause congestive heart failure. Treatments are available for congestive
heart failure of whatever cause. Fluid in the pleural space
occasionally may be caused be tumor implants on the pleura.

Best wishes, Sandy L

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scott - 25 Jul 2003 20:25 GMT

In this type of situation, is the CHF reversible? Prior to chemo, she was a
very healthy individual... was considering doing a triathlon this summer, so
we can probably rule out other causes of this situation. Pleural tumors did
mot appear in the x-rays, conventional CAT or heliacal/spiral scan CAT.

Thanks for your comments,
Scott

> Some chemotherapeutic agents can cause cardiac damage, as can radiation
> therapy. Adriamycin in particular can be associated with heart
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Best wishes, Sandy L

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Sandy L - 26 Jul 2003 00:07 GMT

> In this type of situation, is the CHF reversible?

I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to that. Perhaps others will have
direct experience.

> Prior to chemo, she was a
> very healthy individual... was considering doing a triathlon this summer, so
> we can probably rule out other causes of this situation. Pleural tumors did
> not appear in the x-rays, conventional CAT or heliacal/spiral scan

CAT.

You may need a thoracentesis--drawing fluid out with a needle--for
definitive diagnosis, but the lack of visibility is encouraging.

> Thanks for your comments,
> Scott
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> >
> > Best wishes, Sandy L

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Laura K.* - 21 Nov 2003 17:33 GMT

Hello Scott:

I was hospitalized a while back due to the same thing. Although I protested, I was admitted nevertheless.
Months later it was decided that it was from a prior chemo. It is now gone entirely. Thank G-d.

Laura K.*

Remove occdoc to reply,

Fri, 25 Jul 2003 19:07:55, you wrote:

> > In this type of situation, is the CHF reversible?
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> > >
> > > Best wishes, Sandy L

Hugs,

Laura K.*
I'm out of estrogen and I have a gun! gabnet@adelphia.net

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