Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

This is the second of our four part series describing what its like to have mesothelioma from the mesothelioma patient’s perspective. The first part began by discussing what it’s like when you’re first diagnosed with mesothelioma. This second part is about what it’s like to cope with the symptoms of mesothelioma.

 

Symptoms of mesothelioma can be very non-specific or mimic other less serious illnesses. Most often, depending on the degree of disease progression, mesothelioma symptoms include:

 

When first diagnosed, patients talk about their symptoms in terms of how it is affecting their normal daily activities. After their understanding of the disease increases, they then develop an awareness and ability to talk about the symptoms with more clarity and knowledge, such as knowing when pleural effusions had returned and what needs to be done to relieve the pain. 

 

With increased knowledge, most patients also experience more anxiety as they either weren’t sure what more severe symptoms indicated or as they began to realize that certain symptoms means the disease is progressing.   Dyspnea is a symptom that can cause great anxiety, as it gives the sensation of being very difficult to breathe. Patients often feel they can not breathe fast or deeply enough, and the chest can seem to tighten so much that patients fear they may not be able to breathe at all. 

 

Despite symptoms becoming worse, many patients have a hard time asking for help and most are not taught any self-help techniques that would greatly relieve their suffering and fear.  Although some experience pain, dyspnea and major weight loss were the two main symptoms that caused the most distress, not only to patients but also to loved ones and caregivers. 

 

There are several ways to manage mesothelioma symptoms and help ease pain and suffering, both physical and psychosocial. Palliative care specialists and hospice nurses are trained to help with such issues, and most likely can provide more support than others on your treatment team. Support groups can also help. For more information on how to cope with the symptoms of mesothelioma, read some of our previously published articles, such as Pain Management for Mesothelioma and End of Life Care for Mesothelioma Patients.  

 

Stay tuned for the next article which will talk about patients’ experiences of the different medical treatments available for mesothelioma.