Still have bad coughing four and half months post op

Posted by elyser @elyser, 2 days ago

I had a lobectomy in early May and developed a cough which improved temporarily on steroids but then returned. I am now on an inhaler (generic advair) as well as OTC cough syrup, doing breathing exercises, walking 2 miles a day and coughing about half the time which is exhausting and depressing. Has anyone had this issue and if so, what has worked for you? Appreciate your responses!

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frouke | @frouke | 2 days ago

@elyser, I’m sorry that you’re having such a difficult time with coughing, you are definitely doing your best to help yourself with this issue. I never had any coughing after a lobectomy (2), I was wondering if you were checked out for allergies, they have increased a lot and your system is very sensitive after this surgery, at the very least you don’t have to worry that it’s urgent and also you are getting help with it but all the same you don’t want to keep coughing. I think you’re a strong person to be able to be active in a relatively short time frame and thankfully they haven’t found any issues, I hope that this helps you out a little, I would definitely consider checking out allergies, perhaps if you want to try a antihistamine to see if it works or wait to see the doctor first, I hope you get some relief soon.

cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | 1 day ago

Morning Elyser- I did not experience this but I recall others on other threads who had similar situations and, if I recall correctly, their Doctor did either an X-ray or another CT and found they had fluid or an infection. You should not be coughing this long after surgery. Steroids help with inflammation but if it comes back after you stop, there is probably another cause that needs to be checked out as soon as possible. I would keep calling my doctor and insist on an x-ray or something. Don’t let them just keep giving you meds if they don’t check it out. You need to stop the cough so you can heal and get your physical and mental health healing again.
Good Luck! I pray you get help for it quickly!🙏🙏🙏
Cindy

elyser | @elyser | 1 day ago

Thanks for responding @frouke. When I spoke with the nurse at my pulmonologist's office yesterday, she too suggested I see an allergist. I do have allergies that kick in at the beginning of Fall and Spring but this had started in May/June so I hadn't thought of it. I may be hyper-sensitive to something in the air....

Thanks for your response @cmcguire10. I did have an x-ray about two weeks ago and it was fine and I had had a CT scan in July. I do appreciate your support though! I have an appointment in mid-October for being assessed for pulmonary rehab which at least sounds like it would help!