chemo or port side effects help: throat tight and constricted, pressure/heaviness in the chest

Hi,

I know it's a while since your message was posted but I felt it was important to get in touch. I had similar symptoms when I had my porta cath was put in back in December 2015, although it sounds as though yours are more extreme. I would have this constant pressure on my chest and feel as though I couldn't breathe, and it felt like my throat at the base had closed up. I had terribly bad acid reflux (like your heartburn) from the steroids with chemo. I'd also get a sharp stabbing pain around my collar bone. I went to my oncology team about it and they had no idea what I was talking about and I felt very alone - your message is the first I've seen of anyone else with a similar experience. I was lucky in that they at least took measures to rule things out: I had a CT scan which came back completely clear. They also put me on acid meds (pantoprazole) and that made a huge difference for my throat and the feeling of strangulation. The stabbing pains gradually subsided over a few weeks, but the healing in general took a long time and it was a couple of months before it wasn't sore/uncomfortable/I felt breathless when laying on my back. I absolutely hated my port at the time. But months on I have to say I'd do it again and I wouldn't be without it. I have been put on heart meds recently but that is because of herceptin, not chemo. Sleepwise I was given Ativan which helped. I so hope yours gets sorted soon, and I won't ever forget the distress it caused so please don't feel alone. Hoping you've had some relief by now, Em x