COPD issues

[Paulo1976]

Hey everyone, Hope we are all well.

My mum has previously had chemo and now started radiotherapy for lung cancer. She also has severe COPD. She coughs like every 5 mins which makes her cough up thick green sputum each time. I appreciate there is a cough with COPD but should it be like this? She has an inhaler once a day, red and grey in colour which helps a little bit. She has also taken carbocisteine which doesn't really help. I think she has had a bacterial infection due to chemo and hasn't had the right antibiotics, due to allergies. She has no temperature or anything.

Could this be the COPD? Is it a continual infection? Just at a dead end as to how I can help with the cough......if anything....

Thank you for reading.

Paul

[CT20232024]

I would definitely take her to the doctor. COPD can produce a lot of coughing and phlegm - my oldest sister has had a severe case for 2 decades... not sure about the color though. When my younger sister had lung cancer she was diagnosed with mild COPD. Due to cancer remodeling her lungs she also developed a MAC lung infection which would have require very strong antibiotics for 1 1/2 years. That was also her life expectancy due to the aggressive form of SCLC so she opted not to treat it. It's important you get your mom checked out....

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

my cousin has advanced COPD and has a cough that sounds similar. (We share a home so I help with her care). Consider making a follow up appointment with her pulmonologist to evaluate her care needs. My cousin used a nebulizer 4 times a day for several years then her doctor put her on a once a day inhaler that controls it just as well.

Everyone's needs are different. She may need to have a pulmonary function test to establish a new baseline.

[Barbara36]

I had pneumonitis- pretty severe. Due to radiation. Ask the doc about the possibility. Treatment for me was heavy steroids for an extended period of time.