Dominic Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hi all, I've noticed that severe coughing is not mentioned very often in these posts. Coughing is not as serious as other symptoms, but when it gets severe it sure takes a lot of the quality out of life. My mom had recently been dx'd with inoperable NSCLC. Her symptoms are a severe dry cough and shortness of breath. The fluid in her lung was drained last week to help with the shortness of breath (it did, to a great extent). But the cough persists, and has increased in severity in the past 3-4 days. I'm typing away at my PC, but I can hear her coughing as she tries to sleep. Each cough hurts my soul. Questions to which I'd be grateful for insight ... 1. Any ideas about lesssening the coughing? 2. Would pleurodesis work? 3. Does chemo help with such symptoms? I'm just looking for ways to make her time better. Thanks, Dominic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCarl Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 Dominic, Since it's a dry cough ask your doctor about Tesslon Pearls. They work wonders for me. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 What Dean said helped my husband with his cough. He also uses a cough syrup at night, Phenergan with Codeine that will help her sleep. Those two things should fix her up. Hope it helps her also. Call the doctor for a script. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 A prescription cough medicine called Mytussin has really helped my husband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 Where do you live? A lot of us have the heat running full blast. It really dries out the air and sometimes the humidity drops to less than 20 % . Perhaps boiling water, running the shower or investing in a room humidifier could help. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 Try to elevate the head of the bed, or have her sleep in a recliner. She should be evaluated by a Pulmonologist for this cough. If it's truly a "dry" cough the questions are "Is it dry because of no secretions, or is it dry because the secretions are too thick and consolidated?" Each one of those would require a different type of medicine. Take her to a Pulmonologist ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaMRG Posted January 18, 2004 Share Posted January 18, 2004 My father is taking Benzenotate. I think codeine works the best, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conley Posted March 28, 2004 Share Posted March 28, 2004 My husband had a cough. Chemo/radiation helped within two weeks. You are right. it takes lots of energy to cough. She needs her strength to help her heal. Is your Mom's cough productive? Our prayers are with you. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 I had a HORRIBLE dry cough for quite some time (still lingers a little) caused from radiation -- it apparently dried out my lungs in a big bad way....anyway, for a while I took Mytussin with codiene, but I was also put on steroids for a short time, which defintely helped ease the cough. It appears you have gotten quite a few suggestions above -- check with your mom's doctor, I am sure they can take care of that cough in no time and give your mom some relief! Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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