cough after viral infection - 1246774

carol42
Posts:23

Sorry first attempt went wrong. I had a LRL two years ago and have been NED since. However in the past year I have had 4 viral infections, the last lasted for weeks and I have been left with a terrible cough which wakes me up and what feels like a permanent cold. I had a clear scan in March and an X-Ray brought forward, due to these infections, in July and it was fine too. Recently at an eye clinic the nurse said it sounded like adult onset asthma and that it can happen after these infections. The cough is quite raw and I can cough up clear mucus, a bit like catarrh, I have never felt really well since the last bout, any ideas?

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Reply # - August 14, 2012, 06:53 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

My thought is that perhaps you have a predisposition to infections because of a mechanical issue related to the surgery...specifically, airflow and clearance of mucous may be diminished because of some twisting of the remaining lung, or part of it. I don't know what a "LRL" is, but I'd guess that you mean RLL (right lower lobectomy). To my knowledge, this kind of torsion and problems with infection is most common after a right middle lobectomy (and I believe I've heard the thoracic surgeons speak of a right middle lobectomy syndrome), but I suspect that a similar process might occur to some degree after any lung surgery.

-Dr. West

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 08:23 AM

carol42
Posts: 23

I had never heard of it but I will ask my surgeon. Yes I did mean RLL, would it be unusual for this to happen a year after surgery? I was fine for the first year.

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 09:25 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Carol, so good to hear you are cancer free!!

but sorry to hear about the cough, dang. I acquired the same thing you're describing after a particularly challenging case of whooping cough (bacterial infection) last year. About the same time I lost my insurance and wasn't able to complete the work up with a pulmonologist. I did have x rays and function tests that can back normal. We were trying out drugs to find what worked but hadn't been successful before losing insurance. I recently was able to buy insurance that will begin in Sept. and look forward to figuring out how to treat it. It seems that he thinks it is a worsening of allergies from the infection. The drugs were more geared toward asthma though.
Please keep us posted on what you find.
Janine

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 09:55 AM

carol42
Posts: 23

Hi Janine,

I am seeing my GP on Monday and have emailed my surgeon, I think he is on holiday until Monday so I don't expect to hear anything until next week. Last time he said if it continued they would check my airways. I hope they find some answers as when people hear this cough they think I am dying! they can't believe it does not seem to have anything to do with the cancer, except as Dr. West said it may be related to the surgery, I have never heard of that. I have never had asthma or any known allergies and hope I haven't acquired any as I have three cats, two long haired and if I am allergic to them I will just have to live with it! I will let you know whem/if I get any answers.

Carol

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 11:24 AM

catdander
Posts:

Right Carol, I understand about the animals. I have a cat and 2 hairy and always shedding dogs. I think they do have something to do with my cough. About a month ago we changed out the filters on our vacuum cleaners and it seemed to help my cough. I didn't have allergies until I stopped smoking at about 40 years old. At that time I went through several rounds of different drugs till we came up with singulair with occasional clairitin D. That worked very well until the pertussis.
So there are ways around living with our animals. It's a must.

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 11:52 AM

carol42
Posts: 23

Hi, I do wonder if a different cat could be part of the problem, I got a Ragdoll about a year ago and his fur has a different texture, must admit my cough did seem to get worse after that but I have always had cats and not had any reaction before but never had this particular breed. Just hope the Drs. can find a solution but no way will I part with any of my cats!

Reply # - August 15, 2012, 08:36 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I think it would be unusual, though not unheard of, to have this occur after a year of doing well, but this is pretty far from the cancer management that is the mainstay of what I do. Sorry I can't help more.

-Dr. West

Reply # - August 23, 2012, 03:48 PM

carol42
Posts: 23

Hi Janine,

Just letting you know how I got on, I saw my GP and he decided to try what he called a 'steroid burst' a high dose of steroids over 7 days. Well at first I didn't think anything was happening , first day I felt a bit high but well, I felt awful the next day though. Second day not very good with the worst coughing at night but woke up feeling ok though suffering from insomnia, a recognised side effect. Third day better, less coughing and less mucus and today better still so hopefully I will keep improving until I see him again next Friday. I think he said if it worked it would strongly suggest asthma, I was a bit wary looking at the potential side effects but told very unlikely during short term use. I will update on final result or dx.

Carol

Reply # - August 23, 2012, 06:57 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

There are certainly a bunch of well-known short term side effects of steroids, like increased energy, insomnia, high blood sugars, and increased appetite, but the longer term side effects really aren't an issue with a week-long interval of treatment. Asthma and various other inflammation-mediated problems can all improve with steroids. Glad to hear you're feeling better now.

-Dr. West

Reply # - August 24, 2012, 07:30 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Carol, Asthma is doable so Congratulations on the possible asthma dx! I had that heavy dose of steroids too that was mildly helpful. I start back looking for the magical drug/s in Sept when my insurance starts.
I hope your worries of cancer have subsided.
Janine

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