What helps with fatigued and shortness of breath? Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Posted by erv58 @erv58, Jun 2, 2021

I have been fatigued and get winded fairly fast. Does anyone have this and what are you doing to help the symptoms?

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jun 11, 2021

HI, here are a few things I have tried for fatigue and conversations with providers.

Fatigue:
- My oncology radiologist suggested Ginseng. I take it and I think it helps. Worth asking your care team about. If decided to take, make sure it is high quality. Here is Mayo study on: https://www.mayo.edu/research/forefront/ginseng-fights-fatigue-cancer-patients
- I have worked with Mayo's Cancer Symptom team on fatigue, there is no simple solution but the team gave me suggestions. Here is link to their website: https://cancersymptoms.mayoclinic.org/

Getting questions answered at provider's appointment:
I sometimes have had challenges accomplishing my goals during appts. It can be so frustration walking away from appointments with more questions than answers. Providers vary how willing they are to listen to a patients concerns. I have taken in a sheet a paper with following topics and handed it to provider. They may or not be receptive to it. They may have their own agenda, but at least they will know what your concern are and why. This is from Dr. Victor Montori work on "The Patient Revolution".

Topics to discuss at an appointment, I try to limit to 2-3 lines per question, focus in on what is most important to you.

- I want to talk about...
- It is important to me because...
- It may help you to know...
- I hope this conversation leads to...
- I worry this conversation will lead to...

Good luck
Laurie M

carlies | @carlies | Jun 12, 2021

In reply to @roch "HI, here are a few things I have tried for fatigue and conversations with providers. Fatigue:..." + (show)

Laurie M, those are EXcellent suggestions! MANY thanks ❤️.

carlies | @carlies | Jun 12, 2021

In reply to @roch "HI, here are a few things I have tried for fatigue and conversations with providers. Fatigue:..." + (show)

Laurie M, is the ‘Cancer Symptom Team’ the same as Palliative Oncology?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 13, 2021

In reply to @carlies "Laurie M, is the ‘Cancer Symptom Team’ the same as Palliative Oncology?" + (show)

Carlies, in some hospitals the term symptom management is used interchangeably with palliative care. In the example that @roch shared they are different teams, but they work together. As you may know, palliative care deals with symptom management and is not exclusively end-of-life care. Palliative oncology is increasingly being added to the cancer care team at point of diagnosis. Are palliative experts part of your care team?

carlies | @carlies | Jun 13, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Carlies, in some hospitals the term symptom management is used interchangeably with palliative care. In the..." + (show)

We’ve only seen palliative twice. The first time was early last spring. The second late spring for pain not related to cancer. The consults were not ‘overly impressive’. We have an appt tomorrow with palliative oncology per one of the docs suggestions. Big hopes it’s worthwhile.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 13, 2021

In reply to @carlies "We’ve only seen palliative twice. The first time was early last spring. The second late spring..." + (show)

Carlies, you might be interested in reading this discussion from members and the video from a Mayo Clinic palliative doctor, Dr. Maisha Robinson, to help you prepare for your appointment tomorrow.

- Palliative Care: What is it? How do I get it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/palliative-care-1/
- Video Q&A about Palliative Care with Dr. Maisha Robinson, Mayo Clinic Florida https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/discussion-on-palliative-care/

I'm sorry you were underwhelmed by your palliative consults thus far. I hope that palliative oncology is helpful, not only for your husband, but also for you.

carlies | @carlies | Jun 15, 2021

Fatigue and Shortness of Breath per Palliative Meeting: My husband was told to exercise daily to help with fatigue. (He usually exercises 3x per week, but will increase qty..) He was told when he exercises to have a fan blowing on him (if/when possible). This tricks the brain into thinking breathing is easier. He was also told to increase the hydromorphone to 1x per day(😞). He gets nauseated before dinner so was told to try taking Prilosec later n the day instead of in the morning. (This may eliminate taking a Rx anti nausea before dinner - which means taking one less pill/day - yay.)

Hope this helps someone-. (Be sure to discuss hydromorphone with doc...)