Cough that won't quit

fotopet

I am SO trying not to worry.  I now have had a cough for more than two months.  Have been seeing my family doc and he has ruled out whooping cough, given me antibiotics anyway, ruled out postnasal drip and gastro problems. He is now treating me with inhaled steroids, thinking it might be asthma, but after 3 weeks of those, I have had little relief.  Has me going for spirolmetry on Tuesday.  Chest x-ray is clear but in May a CT scan showed a super-small spot on one lung that the onco was not worried about.

regular onco appontment on 10/30. trying not to worry til then. but am.

sucks. (pardon the language)

wrsmith2x

Fotopet, 

I have had a cough for a couple of years now.  Sometimes it really is just a cough.  I have had a CT scan and found a 3mm paraseptal nodule that my BS isn't concerned about.  I think mine is allergies but have never been tested for that.  I know its difficult to not think the worst as I am MRS. HYPOCHONDRIAC but try.  Wait until there is something to worry about.  Easier said than done, I know.  I pray for an all clear for you and many years with NED!

And yes, it does suck....very much.

LaurenS16

fotopet,

For many years, I was the coughing queen. I'd even had people comment on my "smoker's cough", but I've never smoked! I do have cough-variant asthma, but I know that if albuterol doesn't help, that's not my problem. Finally, my allergist explained that I have a twitchy throat. Essentially, what happens is that I start coughing from a cold, flu, post nasal drip, or something else. I get over whatever started the coughing, but keep coughing because the coughing triggered an irritation in my throat, which caused me to cough, which triggered more irritation, and round and round. My doctor prescribed a strong cough suppressant, and had me stay on it continually for a week or two. That was enough to break the cycle.

Good luck in figuring this out.

momof3boys

Have you talked to your RO? I seem to remember my RO telling me to notify him ASAP if I developed a cough after radiation. There's a name for it.....of course I can't think of it, but it is a cronic cough.

Me_too

I had a cough that wouldn't quit during chemo and more recently over the last few months. Mine seems to be caused by reflux. It was worse at night. I would wake up having coughing fits. I had to sleep sitting up for a couple of weeks. It finally subsided after I stopped eating any greasy food or eating too late at night. During chemo Prilosec also worked for me.

My scans (PET/CT) have shown spots on my lungs. My onc isn't worried about them. She says everyone in Michigan has them. My haven't changed over time.

I hope you find some relief. It is scary and frustrating to have unexplained symptoms.

WaveWhisperer

Joyce, funny to find you over here!!! I was searching "cough" and found this thread. I developed a cough "out of the blue" last week, the first time this has ever happened without being preceded by a cold. Of course, I immediately think the worst. I'm out of the country and have no access to medical care over here.

Can a radiation-induced cough come this late after rads? (I finished in late April.)  I'll wait to see what happens and if it doesn't subside in a week or so, I'll call my RO and ask her what I should do. I'm not scheduled to see her until January, scheduled to see the BS in December.

Terrible that we have to worry so much about what could be something mild. But the doctors told us to "listen to our bodies," that they will rely on us to come to them with new issues.

doxie

WaveWhisperer - without going back and doing the research, I believe a radiation related cough can occur about this far out of radiation.  More likely now that earlier???  I

CoolBreeze

I had a cough when I was first diagnosed.  I had paid zero attention to it until they told me I had cancer - then of course, I thought it was mets.

It wasn't.  We forget that we get coughs and colds and bronchitis and stuff like regular people.  Always go to your doctor but it's probably okay.

fotopet

Hey all. Sorry, I've been off-line for awhile. Cough is still kicking; the worry waxes and wanes. My oncoming office tried to postpone my regular appointment. I declined. Usually, I do what they want, but I need him to look at this.



I am 2 years out from rads, so I doubt that's it. I know it probably is just a particularly stubborn case of bronchitis or an adult onset of asthma. The brain says don't worry; the scarred subconscious isn't listening!

cider8

I find taking Zyrtec for 7 days helps clear out crap from the lungs. This is in addition to inhaler and Mucinex for me. Zyrtec puts me to sleep, but it seems to work for me. Years ago my OB suggested trying it before going on a second round of antibiotics for my bronchitis that was hanging around for almost 2 months (during my first trimester!).

gutsy

For about three weeks I have felt really tired and coughing a really dry cough. Dr thinks it is phneumonia I am on antibiotics since 4 days, it is slightly better, but still the dry cough. I am almost praying for phlegm. My mind is also going where it should not. Should it not be clearing up by now. I am off work for a few days to rest, but my mind is doing overtime. I am also using an inhaler, as I have exercise induced asthma. I am not exercising right now, but using the inhaler a lot to get some relief.

Kimwith6

I developed a cough about 4 weeks after completing radiation, and coughed for months. The xrays did not show radiation pneumonitis, but my RO said my cough just sounded so much like it that he couldnt believe it wasnt radiation induced. HOWEVER, I went to see my cardiologist, had been on Lisinopril for years for bp issues, and he said, maybe its the Lisinopril. He changed my bp meds, and the cough stopped within days. But ever since radiation, I cough when I laugh, or around smoke or other irritants, or with temp changes, so I believe mine to have been from several factors, 1) primarily the Lisinopril, 2) some mild radiation pneumonitis 3) more chronic changes which are similar to asthma...Check all your meds, if one of them has a side effect of "cough," you may have developed that SE.   Kim!

Sleep

I cough all the time now a dry cough throat is oh so sore most of the time. Give up on doctors for now. Started about a month ago after I had a bout with sinus infection tried over the counter meds moist air at night. Still cough most of the day and at nite. Oh well it is time for sleep tired of complainling. Lord I pray for all the souls that have breathing problems allergies etc. LOVE you all.

KeepingFaith69

I am having a bit of a melt down and am releived that I found this thread.

I developed a dry cough 2 weeks ago.  I saw a GP who suggesed it may be asthma (I have never had asthma) or allegies.  I was given an inhaler and told to come back in a week if it continued.  The breathing has eased but my dry cough has progressed to a phlegmy cough.  I went to the GP who prescribed antibiotics.  Never in my life have I prayed for flu aches and pains or event asthma for that matter..  I have been booked in for an x-ray (just to make) and am counting down the days. Of course I have become hyper sensitive.... the pain in my shoulder has me worrying about mestasis, as does the infrequent twinges in my rib.

On one hand I am looking forward to the test results and then I am afraid as I dont want to spend ANOTHER Christmas wondering if I will be here this time next year.

Im afraid to share these fears with my family. Oh how glad I am to have you all.

I am praying for health and vitality for all of you xo