I’m a 49yr. old male w/ non-hodgeskins b-cell, stage 4 lymphoma. Have been treated 6x w/ rytuxin ending 8/25/07. Cancer was substantially reduced. However it came back by 9/20/07. On 10/8/07 rec’vd 3 days continuous chemo of carboplatin, Ifex and rytuxin. In 3 days have lost weight, mostly muscle mass, had difficulty breathing, and severe drop in blood pressure causing two 40 second blackouts. The previous 6 rytuxin treatments had relatively no ill side effects. Also have cancer in the bone marrow, which has not been treated to date.
I’m trying to find out how I may aggressively combat this cancer while also treating the adverse side effects indicated above. It is important for me to continue my work so that I can support my family and keep my excellent medical benefits. Deepest thanks.

A week and a half ago, I was in an accident at work. I breathed in a large amount of nitrogen, which the doctor said combined with the oxygen in the air and resulted in nitrous oxide poisoning.

I went to the hospital with some burns (frostbite, really), headache, confusion, and a sore throat and lungs. By 6-7 hours later, I was having difficulty breathing. At the hospital (again), they just did a chest x-ray and gave me Albuterol and send me home.

By 3 days later I had bad chest pains and shortness of breath, was coughing up (dry and phlegm) and had a headache. I went to a different hospital this time, and they did a full workup with blood tests, breathing treatments, intravenous steroids, etc. My pulse ox went back up to 98% while I was there. I was diagnosed with chemical pneumonia and sent home with breathing treatments, steroids, an antibiotic, and tylenol with codeine.

I was supposed to follow up with a pulmonologist yesterday, but workers comp hasn’t approved it so I have to wait. I am worried because I keep having these wheezing fits were I can’t breath (like asthma I guess) and if I hadn’t had the Albuterol inhaler a couple of times I would have been in trouble. I am also worried because each time I went to the hospital and now when I check it my blood pressure is WAY high. It’s always been super low, around 105 over 70, now I’m averaging around 140 over 95.

No previous respiratory problems, blood pressure problems, really any problems but knee surgery. I’m only 26. Any ideas as to what’s going on.

P.S. My coughing and chest pain isn’t clearing up, either.