Severe cough after chemo

[intrnette4]

My dad is on his second course of 2 chemotherapies and 1 immuno-therapy for sclc. His cough was at first an inconvenience and it has now turned into him not being able to sleep or talk. He sounds like a barking dog. Doctors have ruled out pneumonia, confirmed the tumor hasn’t grown and mentioned it was a complication of his chemo. He is receiving breathing treatments that includes steroids for the next couple of days. Does anyone have any tips on how to help him get some relief or medications that we can ask for?

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Make sure the area he is resting in is humid. Dry air will exacerbate a cough. Use a cool air humidifier in the areas he spends time.

The constant coughing is also causing irritation which in turn causes more coughing. My primary care physician recommended that I use honey in a bit of hot water. You can use tea if you prefer.

Honey has been used for millennia to soothe and heal burns and irritation. Use a processed honey as raw honey may contain botulins. The darker the honey the more antioxidants it contains.

Also, did the dr prescribe Tessalon Perls?

[intrnette4]

Appreciate it. Doctors are going back and forth and are now reverting back to either a possible blood clot that is hiding around his tumor or pneumonia. We can’t get a straight diagnosis

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to intrnette4]

What are they doing to image the suspected blood clot/pneumonia? Have they scheduled a new CT?

[intrnette4 in reply to Denzie]

Their suggestion is not to rescan him as it would be too much radiation

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to intrnette4]

Sending hope they resolve this quickly.