Cough that won't quit

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!).

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!

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