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Coughing post lobectomy
Hello. About 2 weeks ago my husband had a successful robotic lower right lobe lobectomy to remove a 2.8 cm nsc adenocarcinoma. He had great lung function before surgery. No underlying conditions. He was recovering very well for a week and saw the surgeon who was very happy with the progress. He had very little pain and the incisions were healing. He has recently developed a persistent, nonproductive cough that is especially annoying when he talks. Fortunately, he is able to sleep if he sleeps more or less sitting up. It’s especially bad in the evening.We plan to get in touch with the surgeon tomorrow to see if he has anything to help deal with this. I have read that it is common. Hopefully it will resolve. He’s doing his breathing exercises even though they make him cough. He’s staying hydrated and using cough drops. Does anybody have any other ideas for him? It’s really debilitating.
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Sometimes a persistent cough is part of the scarring process, or the scar being resolved. To reduce inflammation that may be feeding a cough I find honey in a warm liquid soothing. Also, make certain the room air is not too dry.
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1 Reaction@jfried01, as @denzie suggested, I used a humidifier after my upper right lobectomy. Coughing and deep breathing exercises help keep the remaining lungs clear, so they are both good things. If the pain is too much, clutching a pillow to his chest will help. Other than that, removing part of a lung is significant surgery, and there are worse things than a cough, such as pneumonia. It sounds like he's doing well overall. Be reassured that this, too, shall pass. (This is my new favorite phrase as I have experienced very different renewed symptoms lately.)
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2 ReactionsThank you for your encouragement. It’s just that it makes it really difficult for him to even have a conversation. Every time he starts to talk he coughs. And his body is really exhausted. And he’s starting chemo next month so we were hoping for him not to be in such rough shape when he started. But that’s life I guess.
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1 ReactionI am 5 weeks out from RUQ lobectomy, my cough is improving, but very similar to what you describe. Exertion, talking and the spirometer all bring on a bout of coughs. The main encouragement I can offer you, is that I see a small improvement every day and am able to do more each day. I am now able to walk my dogs (slowly and carefully), do my morning yoga, evening stationary bike.... there is light at the end of this tunnel. Prayers to you.
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3 ReactionsThank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that you are improving. That gives us some hope. We are just so surprised that this is happening so it’s really good to hear that we are not alone. But I’m sorry that you are suffering also.
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2 ReactionsI had a right lower lobectomy April 2023. 2 months afterwards I developed a cough that turned out to be caused by a chylothorax. In June, 2023, they ended up going back in to seal the leak and I've been good since
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1 ReactionThanks for the reply. I’m glad it worked out for you. This is less than 2 weeks after surgery and the surgeon says it is normal. It will slowly resolve.
I’m glad to hear you’re back exercising. I’m an endurance swimmer so it’s encouraging to see this.
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1 ReactionWelcome to Mayo Connect @swimmergirl25. Wow, as an endurance swimmer you must have strong lungs. I'm always impressed and inspired by such athleticism and personal drive.
It also has to be frustrating to not be able to do one of the things that you enjoy the most! Were you diagnosed with lung cancer? What treatments have you had?
Hello @jfried01, welcome, I'm glad that you found our group. I hope your husband is continuing to recover. His job is to heal, and that's hard work! Are you holding up ok? Being a caregiver, or care-partner, can be a tough job too.