Any tips pls ..? Dad's really tired of is cough - that's now a mix of dry (mainly) and some mucous

[Vip1]

Hi, the mucous is not really coming out now. But the dry cough is new. The hospital checked for an infection (given the dry cough), but didn't spot anything which is a relief.

So, my question is really about how best to handle a cough that's dry , with just a little mucous ..?

He's using codeine for that (3x/every 24 hours) and some simple linctus in-between.

David on the Mcmillan helpline recommended that the linctus is taken in some warm water to help soothe the cough so will be trying that.

My Dad is also using a nebulliser with saline and that offers some relief. Chest physio is both very tiring and not really producing mucous so he's stopped that for now.

Any other thoughts, tips would be gratefully received - thanks very much in advance.

Thanks!

[beesgood]

hi - I really feel for your Dad - I had a dry cough every 5 minutes or so for about 3 months and it drove me insane. Luckily for me it disappeared once I started treatment (I'm on Pembro immuntherapy) but here's what I found helped a little.

Relaxing and meditating - just trying to relax and not think about it too much - the cough is likely caused by the tumours growth into the airways so taking time to relax and calm myself helped my body deal with it (a temporary, but useful respite) - you can search on you tube for healing sleep mediations

Lying on my front more than my back when resting

Drinking honey and lemon (just to help ease the the area) and keep the throat lubricated

throat lozenges (same as above)

[Vip1 in reply to beesgood]

Thank you beesgood for your good advice. Will look up those meditations & encourage him to rest on his front & see,how that feels for him. Thank you !

Will keep up the honey & lemon & lozenges too.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Vip1

I am sorry to hear that your dad has this ongoing cough which can be very troublesome and exhausting for him. Many coughs occur due to dryness or irritation in the throat, so it does sound like he is doing the all the right things. Nebulisers are very good and keeping airways moist and lubricated, use of an indoor humidifier can help to keep the atmosphere clean. Warm drinks, hot water with a teaspoon of honey can help to sooth and moisturise the throat and airways. At the moment the pollen count is very high, this can add to irritation of the airways, and it might be worth adding in an anti-histamine which might be of benefit.

If there is anything else that you would like to discuss you can contact us on our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Vip1 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Hi and thanks

Good to have it onfirmed that we're doing many of the right sort of things for Dad. It's so hard for him to see the light at the mo.

On the anti-histemene, my Dad tried one a few months back (admittedly when his mucous was much higher & pollen wasn't a factor). He didn't respond well on that occasion, getting more coughy especially

My question. Do you think it's worth another go ? I think so but good to get your point of view.

Perhaps using half a tablet to test the water?

Thank you as always .

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

HI Vip1

With adding medications, we would always advise to discuss either with the local pharmacist or his oncology team. It is not recommended to take both cough medicine and anti histamines as this can cause some problems, you may find this link from NHS of interest: nhs.uk/conditions/antihista...

Hope your dad feels better soon and you have done everything you can in managing his symptoms.

You can contact us by email 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

[Vip1 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thanks very much; in regular contact with the team. Have to be honest, don't always find them to be very interested; perhaps too busy. Either way, it's frustrating.

[Keepingstrong]

Hi - The cough can be very hard to deal with. My husband has it coming and going. I also use a diffuser and put eucalyptus oil in it. Eucalyptus can help open the airways for breathing easier. If he does have mucus come up never swallow it. Spit it out. Throat lozenges can help. I also rub my husband's chest with a mix of either eucalyptus or frankincense oil with a carrier oil. I think Vick's vapor rub also has eucalyptus in it.

[Vip1 in reply to Keepingstrong]

Thanks very much Keepingstrong.

A big fan of Vick's and do find that helps Dad, even if he's not the greatest fan of using it (the smell i guess; but he is getting used to it, which is good).

Great to hear that's helping your husband too. Eucalyptus or frankincense oil will look into too. Thanks again