Puffers not helping cough, lung cancer and family Doctor recommending a codeine syrup. My wife has no pain, and is not keen on taking this

[Enair]

Cough syrup (codeine)

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Enair

Sorry to hear your wife is having a continuous cough. It is good your wife has no pain, but the codeine syrup will act as a cough suppressant to hopefully reduce her cough. It may be worthwhile consider trying this to see if it helps.

This link will take you to our booklet on 'Managing lung cancer symptoms'roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

You could ask your local pharmacist if there is any alternative that could help her cough.

This link is to our booklet on ' Living with lung cancer'roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

If your wife has a dry cough, you may wish to consider using an aromatherapy humidifier, or e.g Vicks have their own personal humidifier, which may ease congestion or open the airways. Your local pharmacy may be able to advise.

If there is anything you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

I understand your wife's reluctance as I had similar fears about taking strong painkillers after my lung surgery fearing I'd become addicted so stopped them too soon. A nurse at my general practice explained pain management to me and the need to use different agents at different times and that at times even the most reluctant patients can benefit from some treatments. Is her fear of addiction or side effects? I've had a shocking cough for almost 3 weeks after a heavy cold and using hot drinks, sucking boiled sweets, have had steroids/antibiotics and inhalers and it's slowly improving... hope she can find something to relieve hers soon - mine is from a chest infection as my lung cancer diagnosis was in Jan 2011 - I've had far worse coughs and breathlessness in recent years from chest infections than I did when treated for lung cancer so hers may be from infection too. often symptoms overlap and we assume everything is linked to the cancer but in the same way we could contract viruses and infections pre-diagnosis, the same is true afterwards. good luck.

[Enair in reply to JanetteR57]

She is worried about side effects Thank you for the info