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Posted by Anne on 9/11/2007, 9:14 pm, in reply to "Question time"
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Hi Nanci - my pleural effusions do not cause me pain. I experience shortness of breath when walking, but not when just sitting. I experience a nagging cough - - usually not helped by the very potent(for me at least) tussionex cough syrup. A squeaky kind of cough that seems to come from way into my chest or mid section. It really upsets my family to hear me cough. I also can hear a squeak, rattle, or some kind of noise after I breath at night time when all else is quiet and I am lying down. I do not hear this if I am up during the day. My pleural effusion is usually detectable by the dr tapping on my back to see how much might be there. My dr was not sure this last time there was much fluid, but it turned out to be the most I have had drawn off - 1860cc. He lets me call the need for a thorocentesis by how I feel. I get very short of energy with the shortness of breath. I usually try to time the draws with times I might really want to have full energy (vacations, etc.) It has been as long as 3+ months between drawing off the fluid and as short as 3 or so weeks. The short span was the most recent, so I am watching what happens now that I am on xeloda chemo plan. Even if it is "very slight" to your dr, it may be significant to the way you are able to breathe, feel, and react. Keep asking those questions.
I hope this helps.
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