Coughing uncontrollably after laughing

precioustime · June 2010

It's been 3 months post Rad treatments and 2 weeks ago had a coughing spell after laughing and since have had many -- either waking up in the morning or after laughing or alot of physical exertion. I contacted the Med. Oncologist to see if they would do a chest x-ray and she prescribed me a Bronchial inhaler to try and see if that helps. It has helped a little but seems like when I try and take a deep breath-- especially with my mouth opened- I have the urge to cough!

Has anyone else had this happen after Rad treatments? I have been mentally reminding myself - not to laugh or over exert myself so as not to cough.... I don't have any other symptoms other than coughing and lots of mucous in the back of my throat as well as having a constant runny nose....

LJ13-2 · June 2010

Cough, mucous, runny nose, sounds like allergies to me.

I've never had them, but this year, I had that "breathe in, have to cough" sensation starting at the beginning of March and continuing for about 6 weeks. Then it stopped. The inhaler helped some (just Primatene), along with Claritin. I believe I've become allergic to tree pollen, and it simply has chosen to manifest itself as mild asthma.

Just something to consider.

3monstmama · June 2010

Hi precioustime

What you are describing, in addition to being allergy symptoms, are also signs of radiation pneumonitis. Thats a type of inflamation of the lungs that can come post radiation.

I am a life-long allergy sufferer who had symptoms similiar to yours starting about 2-3 weeks post radiation. I was coughing at night and having to do the yawn thing because it felt like I wasn't getting any air in my lungs. I also thought maybe it was just allergies [dreadful cottonwood pollen right now] or leftovers from a cold but I mentioned it to my oncologist who sent me off for a pulmonary function test and a CAT scan.

Yesterday, the Pulmonary specialist told me I have radiation pneumonitis. It is not bad and seems to be getting better on its own but its definitely there. He wants me to come back in for another scan in a couple of weeks and I am not allowed to start tamoxifen until its resolved. If it doesn't fully clear up, I may end up with steriods.

If your oncologist isn't addressing it to your satisfaction, call the radiation doctor. If untreated you can be left serious scarring of your lungs which impacts you for the rest of your life.

Good luck!

precioustime · June 2010

3monstmama:

Thanks for the info. I did visit the radiation oncologist last week for my 3 month follow up and described to her the symptoms I was having and she told me it was Pneumonitis from the radiation-- she scheduled me a PET and CT scan and said that she would be able to see better what is going on with the CT scan. I have already had a 4 week supply of steroids that did wonders! I had so much energy and could breathe great without coughing once!! After steroids then that is when I got the coughing spells after laughing or over exerting myself and was put on Albuterol spray. It seems to help but not as good as steroids. The Dr. said she didn't want me on steroids very long because that also can cause side effects.

Other than that-- after Chemo, Radiation and Surgery -- I am feeling good and sometimes forget that I had a breast cancer diagnosis last year! Only seems to hit me when I take a shower because of missing a couple of parts!! I feel blessed to have made it thus far and looking forward to PET scan and CT scan to be able to say " I am Cancer Free!"

Thanks Again and I wish you and LJ13-2 the best!

Loretta

precioustime · June 2010

3monstmama:

I had another question for you--- You mentioned that you could not be put on Tamoxifen until this issue is resolved? Can you tell me why?

I started on Tamoxifen 2 months ago.

Thanks Again.

Loretta

3monstmama · June 2010

Hey precioustime,

The oncologist wanted to know for sure if I had asthma or not, I guess because some drugs for asthma might interact with tamox. The pulmonary specialist said he wanted the pneumonitis cleared up before I started anything else, perhaps because if it doesn't continue to clear up on its own, then I would need steroids and they don't want to pile on lots of pills if they don't have to.

I see the oncologist again on Wednesday so we will see what she says now that I have a firm diagnois of the pneumonitis. Adding to the mix of issues, the blood work done when I last met with the oncologist showed that I have finished menopause. Not sure what impact this will have on my taking tamox in the first place or if I will be pushed to do something else.

precioustime · June 2010

3 monstmama:

That is interesting. I have noticed here lately that the hot flashes I was getting while on Tamoxifen have increased to hot/flashes/sweats -- while taking Albuterol with it?

I also had blood work done that showed me post menopausal-- However, when I went for my yearly check-up the Gynecologist told me that Chemo can raise your levels and show post menopausal -- BUT she has had a few other women that started their period again even after 1-2 years of not having a period-- from Chemo.

July will be 1 year that I haven't had a period and I was told by the Oncologist that she wants me to stay on Tamoxifen for 1 more year and then switch to something else?

I believe some women can be on Tamoxifen pre or post menopause.

Loretta

Coughing uncontrollably after laughing

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