Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Hi, I’m Steve and was diagnosed late last year with stage 4 lung cancer. It’s currently just in my right lung and I was put on Tagrisso four weeks ago. It appears to be working as many of my symptoms such as regular coughing, nausea, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and runny nose have been reduced or gone away. I still have shortness of breath and feel winded after activity, and periodic dry cough. I have lost a lot of weight since last Oct (20#) and struggling to gain it back on.
Does anyone have any suggestions how to gain weight back? Also I may be starting chemo in another month or so. Are there any side effects that I should be aware of? Thank you

Welcome Steve @stevenh31, It's good to hear that some of your side effects have lessened over time. There are some that seem to hang on and are with us for the long haul. The drugs can be quite effective but harsh. I take a different targeted therapy, alectinib for ALK positive stage 4 lung cancer.

Here's a link to a recent discussion about overcoming weight loss that may be helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-loss-from-stage-4-lung-cnacer/
Interesting, your team is looking at adding chemo to the Tagrisso? Do you know yet what type of chemo you may be given?

Hi, I’m Steve and was diagnosed late last year with stage 4 lung cancer. It’s currently just in my right lung and I was put on Tagrisso four weeks ago. It appears to be working as many of my symptoms such as regular coughing, nausea, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and runny nose have been reduced or gone away. I still have shortness of breath and feel winded after activity, and periodic dry cough. I have lost a lot of weight since last Oct (20#) and struggling to gain it back on.
Does anyone have any suggestions how to gain weight back? Also I may be starting chemo in another month or so. Are there any side effects that I should be aware of? Thank you

@cc60 , I'm glad that you found a solution that works for you. No one should have to tolerate misery. Were you prescribed the Gabepentin for the rash/itching, and/or additional pain?

@loula Allergy meds don’t work for only thing works seems to be Gabepentin. That itching is so intense I know exactly how you feel please have your doctor prescribe you some so you can get some relief ASAP!

Hello to everyone. My name is Cynde and I have had stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to my liver but the last ct scan show no evidence of tumor's on liver. I have been on keytruda carbo and taxol, that stopped working after a year changed treatment to Cyramza and taxotere, been doing alright with this but my white count goes down so having to get the Neulasta shot and Arensep to red count. my team has done a fabulous job of keeping me going for 2 years this march 3rd. I am having a big problem with my legs swelling up where I can not bend my leg to my knees. so started rubbing them pretty hard you could hear a popping sound but my leg swelling went down to where I could bend my legs to my knees feet pretty swollen also, now I am having a horrible itch from waist up but no rash, I have tried clairtin benadryl and all the lotions you can get for itching nothing has helped, it is driving me insane so dr, office sent in rx hydroxyzine hcl 10 mg been on that for 2 days sure hope it helps. so far still itch like crazy, has anyone that has been on cyramza and taxotere had this happen to them all I can think is I am allergic to one of these drugs any advice ? thanks and god bless all of us keep strong and ride along!

@lls8000 Hi Lisa, thank you for getting back to me so quickly.
I have received counseling but it was for my marriage.
I haven't talked to anyone about my cancer though. I have looked into trauma therapy, but the cost is outrageous! The closest one is 2.5 hrs away. The cancer clinic is 3 hrs away. I can't afford to do both (gas $$).
I was referred to a pulmonologist and she did a Bronchoscopy, December 1st, that's when I was informed that I have cancer. She did a much deeper one, December 8th and passed me off to the cancer clinic. She did a biopsy both times. Now I'm just waiting for further tests before meeting with an oncologist.

@blinken, I just saw your message today. You and your husband have been through a lot this past weeks. Today, I read that you are on the road to get the liver biopsy done. Sending you positive vibes and a virtual hug to let you know I'm thinking of you.