Cough

[Marge]

I have developed a chronic cough since beginning chemo. I cough so violently, my head and teeth ache afterward. The oncologist suggested congestive heart failure, but an echocardiogram proved that wrong. My primary thought it was silent reflux and prescribed medication, but it was ineffective, too. No one has an answer. X-rays don't shed a clue. WBC isn't elevated, so infection has been ruled out. Has anyone here experienced a chronic cough that won't go away? Any suggetions?

[-Cheryl-]

Marge,

What kind of chemo are you on, and where is your cancer located? Perhaps others have experienced the same things as you, but more information is helpful. My doctor gave me a list of possible side effects and coughing was one of the symptoms to notify the doctor about. Have you talked to your doctor?

Cheryl

[Marge]

I am receiving VP-16 & carboplatin. The small cell cancer is in the right lung and several lymph nodes. Yes, I've told to doctor weekly for about 3 months and he either makes no comment or else says it's probably just asthma or congestive heart failure or reflux. It is none of the above. One day after asking about my cough, he told me that he was an oncologist and would only answer questions concerning my cancer and anything else would have to be directed to either my primary or a pulmonary specialist. He has NEVER mentioned that coughing is a side effect. Several times, I have coughed violently while awaiting my lab results or while he was in the room and not a word is mentioned about it.

[Fay A.]

Marge,

I am sorry that you are being treated this way. Are you in a position to fire this Oncologist and hire another?

Certain drugs can cause shortness of breath, and also some can cause damage to normal lung tissue as well as to the cancer.

Check out this site. It has info on drugs.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... ug_Ea.html

Best Wishes,

Fay A.

[daggiesmom]

Dear Marge,

I had a very bad cough when i was first diagnosed in March 2002. I still had a bit of a cough when i started radiation and chemo (same drugs for chemo as you). My dr. gave me Hydrocod BIT syrup (very strong cough syrup with codine which STOPS COUGHING RIGHT AWAY. See if your dr. can prescribe this.

Joanie

[-Cheryl-]

Marge,

I agree with the others, you need to fire this oncologist! Your coughing is for a reason and you need to know what is causing it. I wish I had an answer for you and could be of more help.

Cheryl

[kimblanchard]

Count me in for agreeing with the rest. The cough is coming from somewhere whether your oncologist wants to help or not.

I developed a really bad cough after broncoscopy and they gave me strong cough syrup with codeine. It worked. I just don't understand why your oncologist won't step up to the plate and help you.

Sue M

[Marge]

I am looking for a new doctor. You never know who is in the "loop" and how you will be treated when leaving one for another. Fay - thank you for the pharmaceutical link... I've used it a lot. Great help to me. My cough lingers and I don't know what to do about it. Others here have talked of coughing, but I have no way of knowing how they compare to mine. Time will tell, I guess.

[renee]

My mom also had a cough and it made her miserable.... I could hear her at night cough so hard that she would loose her breath, and that could be dangerous, since she couldn't breath anyway. I feel for you, I know the anger you have for your doctor as well....

Mom was given a cough syrup with Hydrocodone in it that worked miracles. She was also told to use Robitussin. She said that it helped some, but she really like the Nyquil, I wouldn't suggest that, since it has the alcohol in it, but she would insist on it. I think the alcohol with the pain meds made her sleep better. Funny since she never would take that before BECAUSE of the alcohol.... lol... my silly mommy.

Like the others said.... get rid of your rotten doc., if possible. He sounds like a real looser.

Hope something will help

Renee

[Jenny G.]

I agree that your doctor is not doing right by you. At the very least he could prescribe something to help your cough even if he doesn't know what is causing it. You should not have to suffer with this, do you have a GP that would write you a prescription now, until you find another oncologist? I hope that you can find relief soon.

Jenny