Coughing

[HenryEtta]

Did anyone else experience coughing after 7 days from right lobectomy. It seems to be starting from my stomach. I thought it might have been the beta blockers they gave me for AF after op but I didn’t take any yesterday and I am still coughing today

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear HenryEtta

Sorry to hear you are having an ongoing cough, although this can be bothersome, it can be quite normal to have this after a lung operation.

Although for some people beta blockers can cause a cough, we would advise that you should continue to take the medication that has been prescribed for you. If you are unsure about this please discuss this with either your GP or local pharmacist.

Stopping beta blockers suddenly can cause the symptoms to return and any change of dose or discontinuation of these tablets would need to be done under medical advise and supervision.

It may be that you are using your abdominal muscles to cough more than your respiratory muscles, and if you develop a moist cough, coughing up phlegm that is not clear you should let your GP know.

There is some advice on aftercare and what to expect in our surgery booklet, you may find pages 35-45 particularly useful:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

This link provides some advice on how to manage coughing: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

You may wish to consider contacting your lung cancer nurse specialist to discuss.

Hope you feel better soon and if there is anything else you would like to discuss you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

coughing after lung surgery is common and although it can be painful, it is recommended to cough whatever it is up if you can... heartily recommend lung surgery booklet on Roy Castle website to help you with suggested milestones, side effects - all of which can be treated - and better to have had the surgery to remove the tumour. good luck with your continued recovery. my surgery was in Dec 2010....

[JeanE41]

Coughing after lung surgery is not unusual, but if you cough up anything that is not clear, have a fever, notice an increase in shortness of breath, or have any other symptoms that concern you, do contact your doctor. Your lung is going to overreact after surgery whether it's to pollution, allergens, or overexertion. This will continue for quite a while and subsides with time.

You remind me of my 50 year old daughter who had a knee replacement about a month ago and is the only patient her physical therapists have had to tell to slow down.

I live in the USA, not Great Britain, so deal with a different health care system. You seem to have a good system for getting information, we are left more to ourselves in many cases. Make use of your resources. Your RoyCastle booklets sound like excellent resources and may answer some of your questions and concerns. Do continue to post here, it can be helpful to get different perspectives from those who have been there.

I wish you a complete and steady recovery. Stay safe and stay well. Jean