nagging cough after recent lung lobe resection- I'm a non-smoker - 1270511

janwoodward
Posts:2

Hi There,
This is my first time ever on anything like this...
I wondered if anyone else has had constant coughing after VATS lung resection?
A quick history about me - I am a Never- Smoker.
They found this lung nodule incidentally on a CT scan when I had my second Pulmonary Embolism.
It is almost 4 weeks now since I had a lower left lobe resection.
I was dx with adenocarcinoma 1A and thankfully my lymph nodes are clear.
But really overall I'm doing pretty good - I just can't stop coughing..... the surgeon is aware and gave me rx for these little gold pills - they don't help.....
Jan

Forums

catdander
Posts:

Hi Jan and welcome to Grace. So glad to know you're out some time from surgery and doing well except for the cough (which I don't mean to minimalism). Are the little gold pills tesslon pearls (benzonatate)? They are easily taken with little to no side effects but only work for some people and always worth a try. Let the surgeon know they aren't working so you can move on for results. A cough is one of the top reasons all people seek help from physicians. Here is a blog post from one of our faculty on the subject. I don't have cancer but about 3 years ago I caught pertussis and a lingering sometimes nasty cough remains that is very difficult to manage. I still hope to come across a fix for mine and hope yours is just a matter of healing, 4 weeks isn't really all that long. http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2009/05/09/managing-cough/

Janine

janwoodward
Posts: 2

Janine,
Thank you so much for your response. I also read the informative post you recommended – I appreciate that too...
I'm sorry to here you have had a cough for so long. I do hope you find relief some day.
And yes, the little pills are the pearls benzonatate. I have had a bit of a cough since my first P.E. two years ago , but this is non stop. I will be calling my surgeon today. I also have an appointment with my pulmonologist in a week.
This is my sixth major surgery and the second in 9 months. I had many complications after the last surgery. So I'm pretty much a pro at the surgery thing! Sorry to make such a big deal about the cough it's just so darn annoying... I guess in the back of my mind I will always worry about getting another P.E. & Coughing is a symptom. I'm sure it's ok though, as I had an IVC filter placement prior to my surgery and I'm back on my xarelto.
Janine, you have a place in my heart as well as all who are caregivers or family members of the ones who need you the most. I was on the other end a few years back. I feel so blessed that I was able to care for my dear grandmother, she had bone mets. She taught me so much in her life and dying. Then for years I was a caregiver for seniors. And now my husband of 40 years who is not by nature a caregiver type has become a very good caregiver. He is the most positive person I have ever known – he is my happy friend. And my two beautiful daughters are such a strength to me.
Thank you for listening to me... no matter how trivial...
Jan

catdander
Posts:

Thanks Jan for the kind words. I hope this is the last surgery for you, it sounds like you've had your share. Let us know how the follow up goes and take care.

Janine