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Persistent cough after starting Anastrozole, how can I manage it?

Posted by misa0527 @misa0527, Apr 7 9:45pm

I started Anastrazole 4 weeks ago and I developed a cough. I cough all day and night as well. I am exhausted from coughing. I reported it to the Oncology nurse who told me that a cough is not a side effect of Anastrozole. I said the cough started a few days after I started the medication. The nurse said she'll sent a note to my oncologist. It's been a week and have not heard back. I am considering stopping the medication. Help!

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peggydobbs | @peggydobbs | May 3 8:34am

According to Dr. Google, thickened mucus is a side effect of aromatase inhibitors. Also, according to Dr. G, thick mucus is a primary cause of coughing. It's also a side effect of another anticancer medication called Kisqali. I take both. I have thickened mucus also, but no cough. My Med Onco says it's OK to take Mucinex (or generic) to keep the mucus thinner. I take the ER type--1 tab in morning and it lasts all day. I don't seem to need it at night, so I don't take it then.
You can also get Mucinex with a cough suppressant, but I'd try it without cough suppressant first. If your mucus is thinner, that alone may stop the coughing.
If Mucinex thins the mucus, but you still keep coughing, that might mean the cough has another cause. If that happens, please see a doc soon.
I hope this helps. PS regarding nurses: If you trust yours, fine. But I insist on seeing a real MD. Sometimes nurses are great diagnosticians but sometimes they minimize symptoms.

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peggydobbs | @peggydobbs | May 3 8:55am
In reply to @raba "Ask anything! That is why we are here. I am very new to this myself and..." + (show)
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Ask anything! That is why we are here. I am very new to this myself and learning as much as I can. I am preparing to start radiation and have lupus. We are taking a lot of precautions with the radiation, as the university cancer center I am at has given radiation to fewer than 10 lupus patients and none with the unique heart issues I have. All of that is making me very leary of these drugs afterwards, so I want to know as much as i can going in.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge. It helps!

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@raba Of course, ask anything--but please post your question/statement under a relevant thread or start a new one if necessary. e.g. this thread is *not* about lupus, heart issues or radiation.

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Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | May 3 10:33am

A moderator can move the post to a spot where it can get more comments--I'll check.

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raba | @raba | May 3 1:01pm
In reply to @mir123 "A moderator can move the post to a spot where it can get more comments--I'll check." + (show)
Profile picture for Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123

A moderator can move the post to a spot where it can get more comments--I'll check.

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@mir123 no need

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raba | @raba | May 3 1:03pm
In reply to @peggydobbs "According to Dr. Google, thickened mucus is a side effect of aromatase inhibitors. Also, according to..." + (show)
Profile picture for peggydobbs @peggydobbs

According to Dr. Google, thickened mucus is a side effect of aromatase inhibitors. Also, according to Dr. G, thick mucus is a primary cause of coughing. It's also a side effect of another anticancer medication called Kisqali. I take both. I have thickened mucus also, but no cough. My Med Onco says it's OK to take Mucinex (or generic) to keep the mucus thinner. I take the ER type--1 tab in morning and it lasts all day. I don't seem to need it at night, so I don't take it then.
You can also get Mucinex with a cough suppressant, but I'd try it without cough suppressant first. If your mucus is thinner, that alone may stop the coughing.
If Mucinex thins the mucus, but you still keep coughing, that might mean the cough has another cause. If that happens, please see a doc soon.
I hope this helps. PS regarding nurses: If you trust yours, fine. But I insist on seeing a real MD. Sometimes nurses are great diagnosticians but sometimes they minimize symptoms.

Jump to this post

@peggydobbs I encouraged her to advocate for herself and then answered someone’s question about me.
I am here to learn as I start down this road. Thanks for being so welcoming.

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