Did anyone get a cough/wheeze from chest radiation

[jcawork]

I have developed a cough for the last week of radiation. I am wheezing and coughing a bit of clear stuff up. I sound as bad as I did last winter (which got better after checmo started).

Wondered if anyone else got this and if it cleared up.

Thanks,

Jen

[Rachel]

Hi Jen,

I did do some coughing while going through the end of my radiation. It was to help me get the phlem up out of my throat. The phlem was awful. I was always hacking it up! Other than that, how are you doing?

Rachel

[teresag]

Get it checked out. If you have radiation pneumonitis, it can be treated, and should be. Best wishes to you, Teresa

[Cindy RN]

Jen-I still cough after 1 1/2 yrs. The Dr said it was from the radiation. BUT you need to let him/her know! Coughing can be signs of other problems.

How is everything else??

Love Cindy

[gerbil runner]

If you don't already have a pulmonologist, get one now. Radiation pneumonitis can be a real problem. It's a little early for that to be the problem, but it's not impossible. A good pulmonologist can keep watch on your lung function and treat any problems promptly.

[Frank Lamb]

Hi Jen, I still have a cough and flem(sp) over a year out now and it still comes and goes,every time I mention it to dr. they all is good.?? I still think you should have it checked out,better safe than sorry.

[SDianneB]

Jen -- I just finished 34 radiation treatments last Thursday (Sept. 10th). For about the last 2 weeks of treatment I had a "radiation wheeze" that the Radiation Oncologist had told me was to be expected. He asked about it every week when I saw him, and listened to my chest, and said it was not of concern. When I saw the Pulmonologist a few weeks ago, he said the same, and said it would only be of concern if I coughed up blood or had a real problem breathing -- neither of which I've had or even come close.

It seemed to me to be creeping up my windpipe -- having started in my chest and now feels like it's almost in my throat! The Rad. Onc. says I'm doing splendidly, and that should go away on its own soon. I noticed just this weekend that it's actually better, as in I'm not wheezy all the time. It's also not as pronounced as it was for a while -- meaning not as noisy!

It helps me to take a few deep breaths now and then -- almost like I'm exercising my lungs. I do this when I'm working, just sitting around watching tv, or whenever I think of it. What they call "deep cleansing breaths" are also good -- I bet lots of people learned those in Lamaze classes! It's a slow, deep breath in through the nose, and a slow breath out through the mouth. Works wonders!

Now, to work on the leather skin I developed during radiation. Ewwww!!!

Di

[jcawork]

Thanks for the responses. I am coughing and wheezing and just hate it.

Jen

[berisa]

yes, radiation worsen my dad's cough. Kind of dry cough.

Tell the doctor and they may give some prescriptions.