Right mix of cough/pain relief meds .. ?

[Vip1]

Dad's not doing well at thd mo. I've posted in other questions that he has Stage4, is on immuno & is struggling with severe tiredness esp at the mo.

To relieve his dry cough thaf started a week or back, he's taken_simple linctus (5ml) x 4x/24 hrs

_codeine linctus (5ml) x2x/24 hrs

_occasional low dose,morphine (1ml) @ night to aid sleep

Talking to the hospital team today to get their updated view on his drowsiness /severe tiredness.

Ie, feels,like so many drugs and can imagine even without the cancer I'd be totally whacked too.

My questions please are

1) About dropping the codeine linctus; would that be sensible ?

2) What have been people's experiences when trying to manage a cough & the associated pain (from repeated coughing ) that comes with that ?

Ie, in terms of what combination of pharma drugs or natural/herbal things have worked for you?

Accepting of course that everyone's different! Be useful to hear all the same pls .

Thank you as always

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Good morning Vip

So sorry to hear your Dad isn’t doing well, this must be very difficult for you all. It sounds like you are looking at all options and suggestions to improve the situation for him, and you have had useful advice and support so far to help with this. You are doing the right thing discussing things with your Dad’s team, they will be fully aware of his individual circumstances and may be able to suggest additional ways to manage your Dad’s pain during coughing, and of course answer your questions regarding drugs.

Our booklet- roycastle.org/app/uploads/2... (roycastle.org) offers tips for managing symptoms and may be helpful.

If there is anything else 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

All the best for the discussions with your Dad's team

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

Coughs can be so troubling and have many causes not always linked to the lung cancer - in this heat, high pollen and if on other meds including some inhalers, these can worsen the cough.

Having had several chest infections since December I'd been to my doctor and put on blood pressure meds (changed from a calcium blocker to an ACE inhibitor after a month - never taken them before). When a recent chest x-ray showed some issue, referred to chest consultant, he said the tablets wouldn't be helping at all as they're known to trigger dry cough.

When I had my cancer and when I get chest infections I often get terrible coughs - I find a combination of drinking hot drinks, inhaling over steam, sucking sweets like 'Halls Soothers' and trying to keep moving (to prevent mucous from settling on the chest) and sleeping propped up help. This may help too.

physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/...