Anyone dealt with cough after head and neck cancer treatments?

@shanimarie, I see you got a tip from @kecm that using a nasal spray helped them with a persistent cough in this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/770801/.

@kecm, was the cough initiated by post-nasal drip?

I'm also bringing others to share their solutions and ideas like @stephanie101 @jeffk @suz22 @jr2366 @srm @thomason.

Shanimarie, does your boyfriend still produce mucus? It that contributing to the cough?

I could not determine that the congestion in my throat was caused by post-nasal-drip, but it sounds possible. It feels like it is created within my throat due to radiation damage.

I get persistent cough spells. It's from a combination of throat dryness and mucus. I also have a trach ( breathing tube) in my neck. To help with my coughing, I use Mucinex DM. It really stops my coughing fast, and it also thins mucus. I swear by this product, and recommend it to anyone who has trouble with coughing. I try ed other over the counter meds, and only Mucinex works for me. Could not live comfortable without it. Hope this helps.

@colleenyoung sadly yesterday we found out that he has CHF, and this was most likely the cause for his cough progressively worsening over the past two months. He’s been admitted into the cardiac unit and they will try to determine what triggered this exacerbation. I’m glad we have an answer but we just weren’t expecting this. He’s only 48. He has a lot of fluid around the lungs and heart so they’re giving diuretics to help him breathe better. His cough is slowly improving as the fluid comes off, so he’s getting relief finally. I’m curious to know if his cancer treatments may have caused this heart damage.

So very sorry to hear about your BF’s CHF. At 48, he has a lot to deal with health wise. During his radiation treatments, did he also receive Chemotherapy? It could be a side effect of the drugs. Take good care.

@sandralea58 he did take chemotherapy as well so I’m thinking damage to his heart from chemo. I’m a breast cancer survivor and remember my oncologist telling me there could be damage to the heart as a long term effect from chemo.

I had a rattle type cough during treatment that produced mucus but not miserable kind. Within a couple weeks after treatment stopped my asthma kicked up and I just had an occasional dry cough and breathing issues. Doctor put me on prednisone but one course didn’t really help. Just started second course. My concern is what is actually causing this. Don’t think doctor looked far enough. Is his cough dry ? Nurse said lungs were clear.

Same cough, and GRD from the post nasal drip. They said that I would have to be on Omeprazole for the rest of my life. I have been nebulizing reduced glutathione 1 to 2 times a day with 3.5% saline. It seems to have helped me, but your milage may differ. Much better than taking expectorant daily to break up the phlegm.

@shanimarie, I'm not sure where your boyfriend is getting treatment, but you may ask about a cardio-oncology specialist or department.

Mayo Clinic offers a program to address heart problems associated with cancer treatment called cardio-oncology or for people who have a pre-existing heart condition when diagnosed with cancer. The Cardio-Oncology Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/cardio-oncology-clinic/overview/ovc-20442193) evaluates people prior to cancer treatment and patients who have experienced side effects due their treatment, and can help evaluate treatment when you have both cancer and heart conditions.

Do you have access to a similar cardio-oncology program?