Coughing & wheezing post surgery: How do you know what is normal?

It is hard to know post-surgery what is or is not "normal". There are a number of things that could be going on. When in doubt, I always reached out to my husband's oncologist which usually resulted in various tests to rule out issues.

I’m also four months post surgery, and doing well. But at the one month mark, I had a dry cough that was getting worse. I called my surgeon’s team, and they told me to get a CT scan. The scan showed lot of fluid surrounding my left lung. I was readmitted to the hospital, and they placed a drain in my left side. More than a liter of fluid was drained out over two days. Fluid can build up after a traumatic surgery such as ours, and it can squeeze the lung causing dry coughing. After that treatment the cough was gone immediately. I would recommend you call your surgeon immediately and let them know what is going on. Good luck in your journey.

@lindainca thank you. I have done all your recommendations and have a ct coming up. Last time I had fluid in my back by the time I got to the aspiration it was gone. 😔 sigh back on the roller coaster.

@lindainca I experienced the same dry cough post esophageal surgery. The cough lasted for several weeks and eventually improved but did not stop completely. Scans showed I had fluid collection around both lungs but I was told it would probably dissipate and no treatment was recommended. It wasn’t until one and a half years later (post op) that I started to experience severe shortness of breath that I was referred to a cardiologist. Once my cardiologist repeated the scans, he recommended the procedure to drain the fluid around my lungs. It has made a significant difference in my energy and mobility. I only wish I had that I had found out sooner that my cough and shortness of breath were due to my surgery. Don’t hesitate to pursue the scans and discuss with your doctor as fluid buildup is apparently not uncommon after surgery.

@cherip123 Yes, unfortunately I think your experience is all too common. As soon as I told my surgeon I had a dry cough, she ordered the CT, and two days later they had drained the fluid and I had no cough. I can’t stress enough the need for post-Esophagectomy patients to be their own advocates and insist on further investigation into problems that come up. In your case, the fact that you were told the fluid surrounding both your lungs “would probably dissipate and no treatment was recommended” did you a disservice (my opinion of course!) Sending thoughts of continued healing your way!

I’ve spoken with both oncologist and thoracic surgeon and the recommendation was see your PCP or pulmonologist. Tomorrow is an X-ray upper GI and small bowel series. Should be lots of fun! Thanks for the feedback.

@wklapp, did further testing reveal anything that needs attention?

@colleenyoung
Thanks for checking. After 3 hours of X-rays and barium it looks ok.

4 months and still coughing & wheezing? ODM, I'm only 4 weeks post surgery and my coughs are still persistent, dry/no phlegm as well. I hope they go away in the next 3 months.

Also, talking makes me cough, so I whisper alot. Never noticed how many people say "huh?" automatically when I say something, having to repeat myself just causes more coughing?

@douglasgb I had a dry cough for about three weeks post Esophagectomy. I contacted my surgeon and she ordered a CT and I was admitted back into the hospital. The CT showed quite a bit of fluid surrounding my left lung, and she had me re-admitted to the hospital. They put a drain in my side and over two days more than a liter of fluid drained out. The cough was gone instantly, and it hasn’t come back. I’m at about five months post now. I would recommend you contact your surgical team and describe what’s happening. Good luck to you!