Chronic cough after lung surgery: What helps? Rehab?

Posted by kevc517 @kevc517, Jul 26, 2024

This is our first post and appreciated any advice that anyone might provide.
My wife (70 y/o, quit smoking 40 years ago) had right upper lung lobectomy 3 months ago and diagnosed with NSCLC, stage 1. Her only symptom before surgery was a persistent cough. The cough continues and has worsened in the last few weeks. Fortunately, the cough does not occur at night but only during the day when she is doing normal house activities, walking, talking, riding her bike etc. We are being told the cough may last for several months but it is sapping her energy (She says “I’m a barking dog” ). She was prescribed albuterol but it has not helped. She has no fever, negative for Covid and takes her OTC allergy meds daily. Her chest X-ray this week was normal ( this was a big relief!). Overall, she is in good health and her medical care has been very responsive and caring.
I have not seen "cough after lung surgery" as a discussion point in this forum unless I missed and wondering if anyone has tried pulmonary rehab or has another idea?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

whahoo | @whahoo | Feb 10 10:21am

I had a chronic cough before surgery (RUL removed April 2023) and still have a cough. It’s not bad. And I’m just living with it. Am thinking about talking to my oncologist about an inhaler for when the pollution is really bad. Best wishes.

kevc517 | @kevc517 | Feb 10 2:32pm

In reply to @pmgranahan "Hi, as I was reading all I could think was "this is me!". EXACT SAME situation...." + (show)

Hi pmg… & any others who may asked about my wife’s cough. Thank you & sorry for slow response. My wife’s cough overall is much better. She started to see a pulmonologist in dec 2024 who diagnosed her with late onset asthma. She changed up her inhaler & increased her dose (symbicort). CT scan in nov 2024 was good. We are very lucky as her pulmonary function tests were very good & my wife remains very active. We have another CT scan scheduled for may 2025 & follow-up with pulmonary. All the best, K

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Feb 16 8:00pm

In reply to @pmgranahan "Hi, as I was reading all I could think was "this is me!". EXACT SAME situation...." + (show)

Hi @pmgranahan , Cough is, of course, common with any lung issues or surgeries. That said, it can be so very frustrating to live with! Has your doctor offered any suggestions or treatments?

vic83 | @vic83 | Feb 17 9:40am

In reply to @lls8000 "Hi @pmgranahan , Cough is, of course, common with any lung issues or surgeries. That said,..." + (show)

Important to read the summary of pulmonary function tests. If it says restrictive or obstructive issue. Those are two different issues. COPD is obstructive while pulmonary fibrosis is restrictive, and they are not treated the same. My local doctor misinterpreted pulmonary function tests and said I had COPD which I don't.

pmgranahan | @pmgranahan | Feb 17 1:33pm

In reply to @jfried01 "My husband is having the same as you and the same timing. Unfortunately, he also had..." + (show)

I am so, so sorry; he will be in my prayers.
I , unlike the person who originally posted, was not a smoker. Was/is your husband?

Update on my end-I caught a virus and the cough became worse to the point of pulling/tearing the muscles around my incision sites.. Pulmonologist gave me a chest x-ray- no significant abnormalities. He put me on steroids which I am about half way through and upped my benzozonate.. Seems to be helping a bit but needed to take some time off work this week to try to keep the coughing down and rest the muscles

Keep me posted on his recovery. God bless

jfried01 | @jfried01 | Feb 17 2:18pm

In reply to @pmgranahan "I am so, so sorry; he will be in my prayers. I , unlike the person..." + (show)

Thank you. No, he was never a smoker. He also had a very healthy lifestyle. He never had a single serious illness before this. He’s 78 and on no type of medication except what he has needed for this. His CT and chest x-ray show a moderate pneumothorax. He had chest tubes for several weeks while he was in the hospital so this seems to be part of the same process.

I’m so sorry for what is going on with you.
It’s quite a journey. Wishing you all the best.

mbeazy | @mbeazy | Feb 24 5:49am

In reply to @pmgranahan "Hi, as I was reading all I could think was "this is me!". EXACT SAME situation...." + (show)

Same Dec 19 2024 11 or 12 week post op and I have a swollen through seems like coughing up a lung . Had pneumonia when I came out and I was coughing like that B4 surgery and passed all pre tests . Mucus can barely breathe they say nothing at we and idk breathing obstruction and they look at me like I'm stupid March 5 gonna get an upper something to see smh if I Don't DIE BY THEN SMH The hipocracy in this Medical system

mbeazy | @mbeazy | Feb 24 5:52am

In reply to @mbeazy "Same Dec 19 2024 11 or 12 week post op and I have a swollen through..." + (show)

Typo sry
Through* throat
we* ER

abob | @abob | Feb 27 7:53pm

In reply to @mbeazy "Same Dec 19 2024 11 or 12 week post op and I have a swollen through..." + (show)

My husband coughed constantly for 4 months post Lobectomy. Pulmonologist prescribed nose sprays and strong antihistamine to help with post nasal drip, which helped somewhat with coughing.

camorton47 | @camorton47 | Feb 28 10:59pm

In reply to @pmgranahan "Hi, as I was reading all I could think was "this is me!". EXACT SAME situation...." + (show)

My upper right lobe resection (thoracotomy) was done 8 weeks ago. Cough and breathlessness are persistent. Abuterol doesn't help much. Dr is prescribing a different inhaler but haven't picked it up yet from pharmacy. Some days are worse than others and I'm wondering if I just was trying to do too much too soon.
They also did a rib resection to be able to get to the lung due to my scoliosis, so coughing can be very uncomfortable.
Chest X-ray showed no signs of fluid and lungs had expanded into the vacant space.

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