Pleural effusion (fluid around the lung) from secondary breast cancer

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Has anyone else had pleural effusion ? I've got it on the side I had my primary 9 years ago. It was the discomfort that triggered me to go to the GP and which ended up with my diagnosis last week of secondary BC in bones, liver, pleura & chest lymph nodes.
I still have pain in the chest/back of ribcage but I'm now not sure whether its the effusion or bone cancer in the rib causing the pain. I'm taking Naproxen & paracetamol but still have the pain and can only walk 200 yards.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's had pleural effusion -
- how would you describe the pain and its location ?
- have you had it drained and did that help reduce the pain ?
- did it come back after being drained ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Veronique M over 1 year ago

Hi scared_2, I too had a pleural effusion (3 liters!) 2 years ago. I was feeling totally out of breath and generally unwell. That's how I learned that the cancer I had 20 years ago, had come back. I had to drain it 3x a week for 8 months with a PleurX catheter. It was not fun, but it helped. Then I had the pleurosdesis procedure. it hasn't come back since, but I have lots of other problems!

Good luck and my very best

scared_2 over 1 year ago in reply to Veronique M

Hi Veronique - Thanks for your reply, It sounds as though the Pleurodesis is very successful. It must have been awful having the effusion drained 3 times a week, and 3 litres of fluid on the lung must have felt terrible.
Sorry to hear about your other problems and hope your treatment continues to be successful.

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