Lungs

I strongly recommend adding to your physician team a Pulmonologist who has solid experience in treating lung cancer patients. A Pulmonologist will assess your baseline function, can help optimize your breathing and hopefully minimize your discomfort throughout this unpleasant journey.

Lung Function / Breathing Issues

My Pulmonologist believes managing the inflammation in the lungs reduces additional lung tissue damage caused by the inflammation itself. Additionally, this specialist suspects, but this observation has not yet been proven, that by managing lung inflammation, which may be exacerbated by lung cancer, inhalers COULD supplementally help manage the cancer itself.

Recommendations

• Add a Pulmonologist to your treatment team.

• Get a baseline pulmonary assessment (Pulmonary Function Test) done and then have a yearly assessment or as recommended.

• Try various prescription inhalers until you find one that works for your symptoms; it may be a combination of both short-acting and medium- and long-acting inhalers. You may need to change the combinations over time.

• I now also have mild COPD so I use an additional inhaler to help manage lung inflammation per my pulmonologist’s guidance.

• For patients with more advanced breathing conditions, a nebulizer may also bring relief.

• Consider using an inhaler spacer unit so you avoid getting the medicine in your mouth or sprayed on the back of your throat; use especially with those inhaler drug combinations containing steroids.

• Rinse your mouth out; quick gargle and spit out several times after using your inhaler to avoid conditions like Thrush (white fuzzy tongue, awful taste in mouth).

Shortness of Breath

Lung cancer itself, possibly through inflammation as well as several cancer treatments, can add to your experiencing shortness of breath. Lung tissue damage, due to the cancer itself as well as inflammation, can also lead to and cause other conditions such as COPD and/or can possibly trigger latent asthma.

Recommendations

• Consult with a Pulmonologist and be assessed whether you need longer term breathing management.

• Albuterol inhaler (prescription) can help with episodic spasms like shortness of breath. I always carry an inhaler with me.

• Longer acting combination inhalers used regularly will help manage this condition.

• Keep your house clean, reduce the level of allergens, such as dust, dust mites etc. Vacuum regularly and keep the vacuum bag cleaned out; wash your sheets and bedding regularly. 

• Dust mite protector covers (pillows, mattress etc) can help reduce irritants especially if you are allergic to dust mites.

• Dehydration can also play a role in your feeling short of breath or your heart pounding.

• Resting with 3 pillows under head and upper back makes it easier to breathe.

• Take a break if you are feeling short of breath; this may mean multiple times in an hour. Be aware of your limitations.