malignant pleural effusion, has anyone out there had this condition and if so for how long? do you have to have frequent chest drains ?are you having or had taxotere chemo ?
Sorry to hear you have malignant pleural effusion. I cannot really comment on your condition only to say that sometimes they perform "Pleuradesis" which is a proceedure to fuse the two layers of the lung back together reducing the risk of further effusion. www.cancersupportivecare.com/pleural This would have to be decided by the thoracic surgeons. My husband had inoperable lung cancer and after suffering a massive pleural effusion of 2,300mls and ensuing respiratory distress, had a permanent chest drain fitted to enable the excessive fluid build up to be drained off regularly thereby reducing any further respiratory distress to some degree. Most times, these drains are eventually removed but this was not possible in my husband's case. Good luck and I hope you find this link helpful.
I hope you are well and the treatment is working for you. I have been diagnosed with the same condition and I am waiting to know how they are going to treat me. I have had 2.25 litres removed two weeks ago and was interested in dev response.
I would be grateful for any response.
Best wishes to you and your family. I'm just taking one day at a time on this emotional roll a coaster.
After my chest had been drained and the fluid was analysed i saw my oncologist who recomended a six cycle course of a chemo drug called Taxotere which i have now completed.Im not saying it was an easier drug than may previous chemo but i was surprised at the very different set of side effects i had. My hair didnt all drop out as i was told it would as neither did my nails fall off as i have read of people on here having that happen i just found it so very tiring this time and it gave me a" real chemo head " anyone who has had that knows what i mean. As i say tho i have finished my treatment and the proffesionals say the cancer is under control now so that will do me fine ! Just be as optimistic as you can and lie back & take the treatment its not forever (i wont say "be Positive " as thats one of the worst phrases to say to a cancer patient !! some people / alot of people think that phrase helps well for me it dont!) Good luck & i do apologise for the delay in response ! i would like to know how you have gone on as you are the only other person with the same condition i have ever come accross. Good luck Amanda x
I haven't been on here for quite a long time. As you say I had my 'Chemo head' on. The oncologist's prescribed 3 FEC & 3 Tax. I finished the chemo on the 21 Oct '09. This was the first chemo I had and was quite an experience. I felt very ill on the fec wasn't sick but lost all my hair which started falling out after 11 days. Nails are are a bit iffy. The tax was like being hit by a lorry and sleeping 42hrs out of 48 then it wasn't too bad just tired. But my hair started to grow, you don't realise how cold it is without it. I go into a survival mode as if I'm a stranger looking in, really weird but it works for me. I seen the oncologist on 19th November and she said it was a good clear scan, however, there was a small cluster of fluid on the bottom my right lung and it could come back anytime. I have been put on Zoladex injections to suppress my ovaries had the first one yesterday. It was painful but if it works then it worth it. My stomach is extended due to all the fluid and the oncologist did mention perhaps draining it, but I just want a little time to get over the chemo and have a rest. Thank - you for getting back to me I have looked on other sites and you are the only other person with the same condition as me. I hope you are doing well and it was great to hear from you. Chris x x x
