Any tips pls ..? Dad's really tired of the immuno he's on and the chest therapy he does (to release mucous build up)

[Vip1]

Dad feels very tired at the mo.He's in-between immuno sessions & doing daily chest therapy (himself) to release the mucous build up. When he doesn't do it, it builds up and started causing an annoying cough , that interferes with sleep for example.

All in all he's very tired & even coughing up the mucous now seems troublesome.

Was mucous build up an issue for any of you out there ? If so, how did you best manage it?

Any thoughts, advice - mucous related or other - would be gratefully received

Thank you as always

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Vip1

Sorry to hear your dad is having troublesome symptoms. I assume the oncology team/nurses are aware of this, sometimes they can prescribe medicine to aid thinning the mucous to make it easier to expectorate.

It can be quite exhausting having any respiratory symptoms such as coughing and trying to cough up mucous.

You could ask if your dad could have some chest physiotherapy at home or consider using a nebuliser, a device that produces a fine mist, it can sometimes loosen the mucous. You could also speak to your dads local pharmacy for some advice.

This link will take you to our booklet on managing lung cancer symptoms, which provides information and advice on how to manage the cough and mucous: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

Hope you hear from others in the forum as to what has helped them, and if you would like to discuss anything further you can call the helpline nurse on 0800 358 7200 or email us at [e-mail]

Kind regards and hope your dad feels better soon.

The Roy Castle Support Team

[GeggiGal]

Yes, I've been getting immunotherapy every 3 weeks for nearly a year. It has had really good effect on the cancer. However, I became increasingly tired,nauseous and listless, but no other problems until about a month ago. Now I'm really struggling with rapidly-worsening arthritis-like symptoms in my shoulders, arms,legs and knees, and not knowing how long I can continue or if it will get any better. Sorry to not have more positive news

[Vip1 in reply to GeggiGal]

Really sorry to hear about the last month Geggie; hope your revival under the immuno restarts very soon

[Cosmic54]

Hi Vip1 I’ve been having immunotherapy for nearly 2 years now (due to finish in August) I have been given Carbocisteine capsules 375mg I take 2 - 3 times per day and Buscopan 1 - 3 times per day which helps get the muck up off of my lungs sometimes it just sits in the back of my throat but eventually I get it out not nice for anybody to see.. I also have a little nebuliser which i carry with me all the time it’s a little hand held one and it helps with my breathing especially when you feel like your breathing through a straw.. hope this helps.

[Vip1]

Hi Cosmic54, good to hear that the Carbocisteine and Buscopan seem to be working well. And the handheld nebulliser sounds great too. Was that from a regular chemist, or specially ordered in btw? Thanks again

[Endosufferer1]

Diet with a nutritherapist according to blood type for cancer, certain diet to boost immunity...and noni juice cure for three months.