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Is cheyne stokes breathing a lung cancer symptom

DDPOH
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I hope someone can give me an answer to this.

My dad was diagnoseg with advanced lung cancer back in april.

Couple of weeks ago he stopped eating, he said everything tastes bad, he is not feeling like eating. Obviously now he is extremely weak. Also he got started on morphine  a couple of weeks ago. His mental presence seem to be degrading also, he sometimes takes time to respond.

Two days ago I had to drive my mum to work as her regular lift couldnt pick her up. By the time i returned home my dad was on the bed with dried blood on his nose, he told me he fell and hit his nose on the wall. His breathing changed since that day. He basicly breathes shallow short breaths for like 20second than a bigger breath and than stops breathing for about ten second.

As I looked it up this kind of breathing is called cheyne stokes but I cannot find any relation of this sort of breathin to lung cancer. Only info i found that it can be caused by head injurys.

Please someone help with info. Is it related to his fall or does this happen to people with his condition?

  • Hello and thank you for getting touch,

    I am sorry to hear about your dad's situation and I can appreciate your concern for him.

    It is not possible for me or anyone here to tell you what is the matter with your dad. His change in breathing could be related to possibly having a head injury (he hit his nose so could have also hit his head) or his advanced lung cancer has made his breathing worse. Therefore you need to contact the NHS 111 service to let them know what has happened. If you are very concerned you might need to call 999. 

    Also, please let any community nursing or palliative care team invloved in your dad's care know that this has happened and any action you have taken. Leave a message if the phone is not answered. You could also let the GP know.

    Whatever happens, if your dad does not have the support of a community palliative care team this may be something you would want him to have. So do ask his GP to do a referral.

    Please do get back in touch of you need any more advice. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline

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