Chemo Cough

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mysunshine48
mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
edited September 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have searched this site for this and have not found anything, so I am putting this out there in hopes to get some answers. I started having a cough when I started chemo in May. It is a hacky, dry cough with a lot of having to clear my throat. I have been to an ENT and he has me on Prisolec twice a day, thinking it could be acid reflux, although I have no burning. I have not seen any difference in 10 days. This started after my first chemo. All through chemo, I asked if this could be a side effect and she said no. ENT said yes! Could have caused damage to esophagus. So, ???

Also, PET scans? Some MO's do PET scans after chemo. Mine does not. Does yours? Any information would be appreciated!

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  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2015

    Hi

    I also had a cough throughout chemo - it really kicked in when I started Abraxane and at one point, became bronchitis with fever. I took antibiotics and it helped, although I still cough. Do you have asthma? I have very mild asthma, and used to get bronchitis a lot.

    My MO did an MRI and mammo after chemo, but that was to gauge my response before surgery.

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited September 2015

    No asthma. Never had anything. I have had a chest X Ray and a chest scan. Nothimg. I am going crazy with coughing!

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited September 2015

    Mysunshine, I got a terrible cold about a month into chemo and ended up with a nasty cough that lasted for about 6 weeks. At its worst, it was very painful. It finally went away, but it lingered much longer than any cough I've ever had with a cold. I apologize that I can't recall which threads they're on, but I have seen some discussion here about coughs: maybe search "chemo cough." Hope it goes away soon.

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  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2015

    My xray and scan were negative also. Then, when I got the fever, they told me to go to the ER. The doc there heard some wheezing, whereas the PA in my MO's office heard nothing the day before!

    Are you through with chemo?

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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited September 2015

    I also have a dry hacky cough that comes and goes, but is more and more frequent. I am certain it is a chemo side effect. I have no asthma or allergy history. It is worst if I talk too much. I also have a sore throat. My MO looks at it whenever I see him and put me on Nexium to control the reflux, but it hasn't had an effect on the cough.

    I hadn't considered that it could become something serious...

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  • Suladog
    Suladog Member Posts: 952
    edited September 2015

    just weighing in here. I've had chemo twice and a cough both times. I do think a cough can come from acid reflux even without burning, at least that seems to be what happened to me. A Prilosec once a day did work stopping the cough, that was the last time. The first time 25 yrs ago I don't remember what I did... But I did have a cough then also

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited September 2015

    Peabrain (What a funny name) Anyway, here I am on the other side of the country, up at 1:50! Could not sleep. Like I said when I started this thread, the ENT put me on Prilosec, twice a day. Then, I had to hsve a colonoscopy and also discussed the cough with the gastrointerologist. Since I would be out for the colonoscopy, he suggested I have an endoscopy at the sane time. So, I did, a week ago. It did show inflamation in my esophagus, probably as a result of chemo. Redness and irritations around the spinctor muscle causing acid to come into esophagus. No burning or acid in my upper throat, just causes coughing. He took a biopsy - came out clear, but will remain on Prilosec in hopes it heals. I have learned that MO's do not know everything.

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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited September 2015

    Hello!

    I asked my MO about the cough again today. He said it is an occasional side effect and that it is. It something he is worried about. Particularly since he already has me on the Nexium and that has been controlling the worst of the reflux. My first cycle I had reflux so bad it burned to swallow water and I survvied on broth for three days. Since the Nexium the other rounds have been much better, just a sore throat for a few days and this weird hacky cough.

    Good that you could have a scope and find out for sure what's going on in there. Your up scope was clear too?

    Doctors are still practicing. It is always good to be skeptical 😜

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited September 2015


    Yes, upper and lower clear. Hope your cough improves!

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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited September 2015

    oops, meant to say that the MO is NOT worried about the cough.


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