Consistent mucus cough and breathlessnes

[AS20]

Hi all

I have seen a change in that there is an increase in a cough that produces mucus/phlegm (which is clear) over the last 6 weeks but is getting worse

Breathlessness is also quite bad. Not on oxygen and can recover but having difficulties even in walking up the stairs or a very short distance

Currently stage 3b nsclc

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear AS20

Sorry to hear you are having troublesome mucous and increase in cough. I take it you have discussed this with your GP, even though the phlegm is clear, any change or worsening of a symptom is advisable to let your GP or specialist know, especially if you are feeling short of breath.

If you have a temperature or feel hot with the increase in cough you could either call your GP or check your symptoms online to see if you require a Covid test: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

Your symptoms could be a number of things but do need to get checked out.

If you would like to discuss anything you could either email us at [e-mail], private message us or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Meanwhile this link to our booklet on 'Managing your lung cancer symptoms' provides advice on cough and breathlessness you may find useful: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

Have you contacted anyone? this could be a chest infection or viral infection of some sort and likely would respond to medication? Since my diagnosis in Jan 2011 (and surgery in Dec 2010) I've had several 'episodes' of similar symptoms and some resulted in hospital admission (my tumour was 7cm adenocarcinoma) but these 'episodes' turned out to be pneumonia, pseudomonas, RSV and other infections - all responded to medication eventually. Not all symptoms we have even if similar to our original experience are related to our diagnosis and it's important with lung health to get checked out and appropriate treatment early to prevent further damage to the lung, windpipe etc.... on each of these and other infections (that didn't result in hospitalisation) I was so breathless I could barely walk the few steps to the bathroom (usually very active, working, travelling etc) but recovered over time by recovering activity and increasing it more each day to strengthen lung health. Phone your doctor if you're afraid of going to a surgery at the moment and see what they say but important to get checked out given your history and symptoms and of course to check in case it's covid 19. good luck.