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pleural effusion

Since completing my chemotherapy, which was cisplatin and navelbine, I have felt pretty good. People say my color looks a lot better, and my hair is growing back. The only remaining problem I'm aware of is a couple of small loculated pleural effusions in my left lung. This is most likely the result of the lobectomy to my left lung. The oncologist believes the effusions are too small to drain but might go away on their own.

Does anyone know of any self-help methods to get these things to resolve sooner? I do try to get some walking in at the rec center several times per week. I have a little shortness of breath when I exert myself, but that is better than it used to be.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by DavidatpMOD on January 1, 2012 at 5:06pm

Hi Eric, I had a pleural effusion after chemo, radiation and surgery. I'm not sure which caused the effusion but it's probably a combination of the three. My effusion went away within about a year on it's own. I haven't heard of any self help methods to get rid of it sooner but I'm sure exercise might be helpful. Happy New Year. Good luck, God bless and keep the faith,..

David

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Permalink Reply by Eshively on January 1, 2012 at 5:52pm

It's good to know yours did eventually go away.

Thanks!,

Eric

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Permalink Reply by AmyLCA on January 4, 2012 at 2:04pm

Hi Eric,

Wish I had some idea of what would make it go away. Are these effusions what is causing your shortness of breath? Someone posted these a while ago and we have had the videos on the LCA website. Maybe does them will speed the process up? It's supposed to help with breathing problems, so maybe!

http://www.youtube.com/user/lungexercise/videos

Glad to hear that you are feeling better!

Amy

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Permalink Reply by Eshively on January 19, 2012 at 7:54pm

Thanks, Amy. The videos look useful. i have been walking a whole 30 minutes again at the rec center. That seems to help a lot. My breathing is much better.

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Permalink Reply by mesosurvivor on January 17, 2012 at 10:53pm

what is your actual diagnois? I have Mesothelioma and I would get plerual enfusions in my left lung with shortness of breath, then I started getting pain around my ribs. just making sure they know what they are talking about.

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Permalink Reply by Eshively on January 18, 2012 at 8:44am

I have non-small-cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma. They call them loculated pleural effusions.

I now take lasix, because I had some ankle swelling from fluid. The cardiologist thought the lasix, a diruetic, will make the pleural effusions go away too. My shortness of breath as reduced a lot since then. In fact it may e pretty much gone now.