Coughing after lung surgery

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  • Post
    • November 24, 2016 at 7:15 am
    Jubes
    Participant

      Hi all

      had my right lower lung lobe removed two weeks ago. I am amazed at quick recovery. However I have a persistent cough especially if I try to take a deep breath. I had some air leaks after the op and the dr said do not take any cough suppressants. 

      My family wants me to call the surgeon even though I will see him for x ray and post op in a week. I already saw him a week ago to take the sutures out. Family think the cough sounds like the one I had when the cancer was really bad. I am also extremely lethargic, but it has been very hot here and I know my cortisol levels are very low and will be tested in a few weeks  

      Personally, I think we have removed the cancer and I don't like to pester doctors unnecessarily. I have emailed the surgeon to keep the family happy. Just wondering if any of you had bad coughing after lung surgery and how long did it last. 

      Thanks

      anne-Louise 

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 24, 2016 at 7:44 am
        stars
        Participant

          I'm sure the cancer is gone. Apparently coughing after resection is a thing:

          https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15620960

           

          • November 24, 2016 at 7:44 am
          stars
          Participant

            I'm sure the cancer is gone. Apparently coughing after resection is a thing:

            https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15620960

             

            • November 24, 2016 at 7:44 am
            stars
            Participant

              I'm sure the cancer is gone. Apparently coughing after resection is a thing:

              https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15620960

               

                • November 24, 2016 at 8:33 am
                Jubes
                Participant

                  I wonder what the empiric treatment is?

                  hope it doesn't last a whole year!

                  • November 24, 2016 at 8:33 am
                  Jubes
                  Participant

                    I wonder what the empiric treatment is?

                    hope it doesn't last a whole year!

                    • November 24, 2016 at 8:33 am
                    Jubes
                    Participant

                      I wonder what the empiric treatment is?

                      hope it doesn't last a whole year!

                    • November 24, 2016 at 1:51 pm
                    Bubbles
                    Participant

                      Hey anne-louise,

                      Sorry you are dealing with this. I do think your family is right, in that you should call your doc. I DO NOT think the cough is due to melanoma beyond the fact that melanoma forced the surgery. I had a very bad cough after my lobectomy. I figured I would and it was one of the reasons I did SRS for the brain met first as I had no idea how I could be still for zappage any time soon post lobectomy. I knew my existing asthma would complicate things. However, any procedure like yours can inflame and irritate the lungs. When that happens…we cough. Something as simple as inhaled steroids (like flovent, as well as many others….you get the calming benefit of the steroid without any systemic effects or risk) and inhaled albuterol (theses are both typical treatments for the irritation that asthma patients experience that causes wheeze and cough) are relatively cheap, low risk, and may benefit you a great deal. And of course, your doc can make sure nothing else is going on. That way you can alll have peace of mind and, hopefully, you can rid yourself of that cough sooner rather than later! Love, c

                      • November 24, 2016 at 1:51 pm
                      Bubbles
                      Participant

                        Hey anne-louise,

                        Sorry you are dealing with this. I do think your family is right, in that you should call your doc. I DO NOT think the cough is due to melanoma beyond the fact that melanoma forced the surgery. I had a very bad cough after my lobectomy. I figured I would and it was one of the reasons I did SRS for the brain met first as I had no idea how I could be still for zappage any time soon post lobectomy. I knew my existing asthma would complicate things. However, any procedure like yours can inflame and irritate the lungs. When that happens…we cough. Something as simple as inhaled steroids (like flovent, as well as many others….you get the calming benefit of the steroid without any systemic effects or risk) and inhaled albuterol (theses are both typical treatments for the irritation that asthma patients experience that causes wheeze and cough) are relatively cheap, low risk, and may benefit you a great deal. And of course, your doc can make sure nothing else is going on. That way you can alll have peace of mind and, hopefully, you can rid yourself of that cough sooner rather than later! Love, c

                        • November 24, 2016 at 1:51 pm
                        Bubbles
                        Participant

                          Hey anne-louise,

                          Sorry you are dealing with this. I do think your family is right, in that you should call your doc. I DO NOT think the cough is due to melanoma beyond the fact that melanoma forced the surgery. I had a very bad cough after my lobectomy. I figured I would and it was one of the reasons I did SRS for the brain met first as I had no idea how I could be still for zappage any time soon post lobectomy. I knew my existing asthma would complicate things. However, any procedure like yours can inflame and irritate the lungs. When that happens…we cough. Something as simple as inhaled steroids (like flovent, as well as many others….you get the calming benefit of the steroid without any systemic effects or risk) and inhaled albuterol (theses are both typical treatments for the irritation that asthma patients experience that causes wheeze and cough) are relatively cheap, low risk, and may benefit you a great deal. And of course, your doc can make sure nothing else is going on. That way you can alll have peace of mind and, hopefully, you can rid yourself of that cough sooner rather than later! Love, c

                            • November 24, 2016 at 8:10 pm
                            Jubes
                            Participant

                              Thanks Celeste. I have a steroid based Nasal spray. Will try that. Plus my doc answered my email and said he is not concerned but will check on my x ray next week that nothing is going on. He said its quite normal

                              x

                              • November 24, 2016 at 8:10 pm
                              Jubes
                              Participant

                                Thanks Celeste. I have a steroid based Nasal spray. Will try that. Plus my doc answered my email and said he is not concerned but will check on my x ray next week that nothing is going on. He said its quite normal

                                x

                                • November 24, 2016 at 8:10 pm
                                Jubes
                                Participant

                                  Thanks Celeste. I have a steroid based Nasal spray. Will try that. Plus my doc answered my email and said he is not concerned but will check on my x ray next week that nothing is going on. He said its quite normal

                                  x

                                • November 25, 2016 at 5:53 pm
                                cancersnewnormal
                                Participant

                                  I did have a cough after the lobe was removed. For me, it only stuck around for about 5 weeks post op. It actually went away before the chest tube came out. Happy to hear that your doc got back to you with email and isn't too concerned. That chest x-ray should help answer some questions. : )

                                  • November 25, 2016 at 5:53 pm
                                  cancersnewnormal
                                  Participant

                                    I did have a cough after the lobe was removed. For me, it only stuck around for about 5 weeks post op. It actually went away before the chest tube came out. Happy to hear that your doc got back to you with email and isn't too concerned. That chest x-ray should help answer some questions. : )

                                      • November 27, 2016 at 8:32 pm
                                      Jubes
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks niki

                                        • November 27, 2016 at 8:32 pm
                                        Jubes
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks niki

                                          • November 27, 2016 at 8:32 pm
                                          Jubes
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks niki

                                          • November 25, 2016 at 5:53 pm
                                          cancersnewnormal
                                          Participant

                                            I did have a cough after the lobe was removed. For me, it only stuck around for about 5 weeks post op. It actually went away before the chest tube came out. Happy to hear that your doc got back to you with email and isn't too concerned. That chest x-ray should help answer some questions. : )

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