1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Coughing Following Tongue Surgery

Posted by rlbaker53 @rlbaker53, Apr 9 12:08pm

I had TORS on April 3rd to remove a tumor (P16+ SCC) on the base of my tongue. I developed a wet cough on April 4th, due I'm sure to the large volume of mucous secretion, and the cough is continuing. I'm able to cough up some phlegm, but the cough is mostly just hacking and is very tiring and I think it aggravates the swelling snd pain on my tongue. I'm also concerned about getting pneumonia. I will have my post-op visit today, and I'm sure I will get some answers, but I'm curious if others have had a similar cough and how they coped with it.

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michael81 | @michael81 | Apr 10 10:54am

Hi, I be Michael. I refused Tounge surgery 21 years ago. The coughing will go away. Be patient and deal with it.
Surgery or not, it seems to be common.

REPLY
roblem | @roblem | Apr 10 6:53pm

Hi. I didn't have TORS surgery on my tongue as mine was not at base. I had a left partial glossectomy with a left radial forearm free flap on April 3, 2024. Ironically. same day as you. Have the same issue with the phlegm and hacking but mentioned it to my ENT stated should go away in a couple weeks. In addition, I had the nose feeding tube which is probably not helping either but hopefully will get that out on my April 16th appt. Plus, had selective neck dissection.

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2 replies
Jody aka mojo244 | @mojo244 | Apr 11 5:04am

Hello,
I had too much cancer for surgery but I had the same issue resulting from chemotherapy and radiation.

Phlegm and mucus; I found hot water rinse, gargle, spit and rinse, swallow and hacking it up worked best for me. I’ve been doing this for 7.5 years!

I brush my teeth several times a day and also do the hot water regimen as well.

Coughing; I agree it was horrible and annoying for everyone. Tesselon Pearl(not sure of spelling) is what worked for me. The coughing eventually went away.

Hope that helps!

MOJO

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1 reply
rlbaker53 | @rlbaker53 | Apr 11 11:06am
In reply to @roblem "Hi. I didn't have TORS surgery on my tongue as mine was not at base. I..." + (show)
@roblem

Hi. I didn't have TORS surgery on my tongue as mine was not at base. I had a left partial glossectomy with a left radial forearm free flap on April 3, 2024. Ironically. same day as you. Have the same issue with the phlegm and hacking but mentioned it to my ENT stated should go away in a couple weeks. In addition, I had the nose feeding tube which is probably not helping either but hopefully will get that out on my April 16th appt. Plus, had selective neck dissection.

Jump to this post

I hope you are doing better. I am finally able to get some liquids down, so hopefully I can avoid dehydration. Two weeks sounds like an eternity, but we both have one week behind us. Blessings to you!

REPLY
rlbaker53 | @rlbaker53 | Apr 11 11:23am
In reply to @mojo244 "Hello, I had too much cancer for surgery but I had the same issue resulting from..." + (show)
@mojo244

Hello,
I had too much cancer for surgery but I had the same issue resulting from chemotherapy and radiation.

Phlegm and mucus; I found hot water rinse, gargle, spit and rinse, swallow and hacking it up worked best for me. I’ve been doing this for 7.5 years!

I brush my teeth several times a day and also do the hot water regimen as well.

Coughing; I agree it was horrible and annoying for everyone. Tesselon Pearl(not sure of spelling) is what worked for me. The coughing eventually went away.

Hope that helps!

MOJO

Jump to this post

Thanks for the tips regarding the phlegm and mucous... I'll try it today. Sounds like you have the routine down. So sorry you have had the issue for 7.5 years!

I looked up the info on Tessalon PERLE. Sounds like it may be good for chronic conditions but probably not while recovering from surgery. I'll keep it in mind. Blessings to you!

REPLY
boppi | @boppi | Apr 15 9:19pm

My husband had varricouse carcinoma on his tongue removed 12/13 and had that coughing but it did not last longer than 2 weeks and gradually just stopped so have heart!

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1 reply
rlbaker53 | @rlbaker53 | Apr 15 10:59pm
In reply to @boppi "My husband had varricouse carcinoma on his tongue removed 12/13 and had that coughing but it..." + (show)
@boppi

My husband had varricouse carcinoma on his tongue removed 12/13 and had that coughing but it did not last longer than 2 weeks and gradually just stopped so have heart!

Jump to this post

Thank you! It is somewhat better already.

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1 reply
roblem | @roblem | Apr 21 10:41am
In reply to @rlbaker53 "Thank you! It is somewhat better already." + (show)
@rlbaker53

Thank you! It is somewhat better already.

Jump to this post

My nose feeding tube did come out at the 2-week mark and I haven't cough or drooled much at all since and am sleeping better now too as I am not awakened by the cough of mucus.

Hopefully, yours is even better now too.

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1 reply
rlbaker53 | @rlbaker53 | Apr 22 8:42am
In reply to @roblem "My nose feeding tube did come out at the 2-week mark and I haven't cough or..." + (show)
@roblem

My nose feeding tube did come out at the 2-week mark and I haven't cough or drooled much at all since and am sleeping better now too as I am not awakened by the cough of mucus.

Hopefully, yours is even better now too.

Jump to this post

That's great news! I'm glad you are doing better. In spite of ongoing issues, it is encouraging to feel we are making progress. My cough is much better too and I have stopped having coughing episodes that seem to be uncontrollable. Keep looking up!

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michael81 | @michael81 | Apr 29 8:27am
In reply to @roblem "Hi. I didn't have TORS surgery on my tongue as mine was not at base. I..." + (show)
@roblem

Hi. I didn't have TORS surgery on my tongue as mine was not at base. I had a left partial glossectomy with a left radial forearm free flap on April 3, 2024. Ironically. same day as you. Have the same issue with the phlegm and hacking but mentioned it to my ENT stated should go away in a couple weeks. In addition, I had the nose feeding tube which is probably not helping either but hopefully will get that out on my April 16th appt. Plus, had selective neck dissection.

Jump to this post

Hi 🙂 You did well. The treatment protocal is hidious. But what's done is done. Many challanges
lay ahead. Never give up. You will slay your dragons. So far, I'm still kicking at 81. Social Security
paid for my gym membership and that has saved my but. Try it. Once you see results, You are
HOOKED
Best Regards,
Michael

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