Chronic cough and MF: Hey, everyone, I was... - MPN Voice

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Chronic cough and MF

Cja1956 profile image
13 Replies

Hey, everyone,

I was diagnosed with post ET MF last September. It seemed to coincide with a cough which I attributed to allergies and my hematologist doesn’t seem to be too concerned but I still have that cough which sometimes can result in a terrible coughing fit. My Primary care doctor says my lungs are clear and can’t find a reason for it. It may still be allergies but I’m wondering if anyone has heard of a connection between MF and a chronic cough.

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Cja1956
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13 Replies
socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8

Hey Cindy... :-)

How are you doing?

There is a symptom that might be related to having a 'chronic cough' w/ MF...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

However, there are also a plethora of more likely culprits too...

Many things can cause a cough, and they are not all necessarily linked to a person having MF... Just try to keep that tiny idea in mind... ;-)

It is easy to allow ourselves to become overwhelmed & apprehensive about our MPNs instead of trying to live each day to the full... in my view... 8-)

Best wishes

Steve

MCW22 profile image
MCW22 in reply tosocrates_8

That was very interesting reading. I have PV Jak2 + and consultant said they could find no reason for my cough. I heard a Dr on the radio say that problems with the esophagus can cause coughing. I have a hiatus hernia causing really bad heartburn and sometimes reflux, so that's probably the cause of my cough. I also have had 2 spinal fractures yet one consultant quite rudely said to me your back's nothing to do with your blood see your gp. This article and others I've read clearly state back problems.

Carol

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8 in reply toMCW22

Hey Carol...

Yes, the link from the MAYO Clinic shows of what some of the possibilities could be...

However, only a diagnosis from an MPN Specialist is really going to be of much use... Many GPs out there are still learning about MPNs, and even some specialists... Hence, best talk with someone who at least has a rudimentary MPN knowledge...

There is far too much MPN misinformation out there, in my view...

Best wishes

Steve

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956 in reply tosocrates_8

Hi, Steve, nice to hear from you. You’re probably right. The cough is probably nothing and it does seem to be subsiding.

As to how I’m doing, after weekly visits to my hematologist for four months, my last visit January 24 she said my numbers had stabilized and I don’t have to come back for a month. I’ve been feeling really good with more energy but This week I feel like I’m starting to lose my energy again. My next appointment is next Friday so we’ll see.

What about you?

Itchy-Scratchy profile image
Itchy-Scratchy

Hiya, just joined this site so sorryto reply so late but skip to table 2 in this paper and you will find over 40% mpn patients out of about 400 reported symptoms of cough, so looks like it is also part of the disease, sadly. ashpublications.org/blood/a...

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956

Thanks for sending me that article. I still do cough a lot, sometimes it seems, for no reason. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea a few months ago and was using a cpap machine. It seemed to help a little. My hematologist doesn’t believe it’s due to my MF, but I’m still not so sure. I was glad to see it on the list. At least I know I’m not crazy. 😊Take care.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toCja1956

I was just talking to a colleague who it turns out has MF. He was diagnosed when he became symptomatic with lung issues. Bone marrow had begun to grow in his lungs. Apparently this can happen with MF. "The bone marrow begins to lose its ability to produce normal blood cells. Abnormal blood-forming cells can also grow outside the bone marrow in the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs."my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

Not to say that this is the case for you, but it may bear checking into. My colleague had imaging that showed this which is what lead to his diagnosis. He ultimately opted for a HSCT, which was successful.

All the best my friend.

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956 in reply tohunter5582

Wow, that is so interesting. I’ve had several X-rays of my lungs over the past few years, and so far nothing like that has popped up. I wonder if an X-ray would show something like that, or if I need further testing . Thanks again for the information. It’s always nice to hear from you. Hope you are doing well.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toCja1956

One would think an xray would show something, but it is soft tissue. MRI would likely show more. I suspect the doc will order one if they can't figure out what is going on. Hope you find out soon

Cookiebaker profile image
Cookiebaker

My sister passed from MF in 2009. She had terrible lung problems and spent most of last two years of her life on a ventilator. That is what scares me . I have ET so far not MF. Even when a child she had lung issues.

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956 in reply toCookiebaker

So sorry to hear about your sister. That’s so heartbreaking. I had pneumonia in my late 20’s, and my dad, who was a doctor, told me I’d have to be vigilant of my lungs for life. But I never really thought about it. My lungs have been xrayed by allergists, cardiologists, and a pulmonologist, over the years, for either shortness of breath or persistent cough. But nothing serious was ever found, thank goodness. Thank you for writing me and about something so personal. You have my sympathies.

Stay well.

Cookiebaker profile image
Cookiebaker in reply toCja1956

You are welcome. Best of luck to you. I didn’t want to scare you .

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956

Thank you.

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