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What Causes Breathlessness While On Megestrol In A Lung Cancer Survivor?
I have only one lung due to previous surgeries for Lung Cancer. I have been in remission since 2003. I have recently gone through Radiation treatment for Squamous cell carcinoma in my neck (completed Apr/May 20016). Since my weight continued to drop, my doctor prescribed Megace to help my appetite (which did improve). However, I have also experienced a lot of bruising and, most important, my breathing is very difficult and causes me to have panic attacks. I take Suboxone, Vistaril, and Lexapro for depression, anxiety and Opiate addiction. My question is this; could the Megace be causing my breathing? Also, my doctor was going to prescribe Oxygen for me, but my insurance wouldn t cover it since my Blood/Ox levels weren t low enough! What can I do to breathe better?
Fri, 26 Jul 2019
Hello,
* As per my clinical experience, there are no direct effects of Megestrol over the pulmonary function in most of the instances, but a weight gain with increased work of breathing as the secondary effect can be a major factor for limiting breathing.
* In my clinic, I do recommend a pulmonary function test and CT thorax for further evaluation of the same.
* Till that time, deep breathing exercises and YOGA will prove best helpful tools at home.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
* As per my clinical experience, there are no direct effects of Megestrol over the pulmonary function in most of the instances, but a weight gain with increased work of breathing as the secondary effect can be a major factor for limiting breathing.
* In my clinic, I do recommend a pulmonary function test and CT thorax for further evaluation of the same.
* Till that time, deep breathing exercises and YOGA will prove best helpful tools at home.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
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