Ladies, have had a rotten cold/sore throat/cough for past 2 weeks. I'm 2 months post surgery, but persistent coughing means I think I've managed to 'pull' something, or strained something in my tummy. I'm finding that I'm holding my side on the left of my stomach as it hurts. I've tried to have my knees bent when coughing but this hasn't always been possible.
I don't know if I should be worried or not. Will give someone a call tomorrow to seek advice, but wondered if anyone else has experienced this before now?
Am really sick of this cold. I won't lie, it's getting me down. I actually feel worse today rather than getting better. I may have overdone it yesterday as it was my son's 21st birthday party, but even so, am just fed up of being ill - & I don't even mean the cancer! I'd just like one or two 'good' days!! 😕
Sarah xxx
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Hi Sarah - sorry I'm not able to advise you regarding the cough (although I'd definitely get it checked out as you say) but just wanted to congratulate you on your son's 21st. Hope you had a wonderful time, and overdoing it now and again is OK in my book. At least for a time you can forget this cancer lark, and be normal. Here's to the "good" days - they will come back! Hope you get some specific cough-related answers soon x
I had a cough just after my penultimate carbo/Taxol which went on for five-six weeks. It was debilitating, lack of sleep and constant straining while coughing. It did slowly go but I didn't have a cold as well.
I had lots of Strepsils, cough candy, Fisherman's Friends, Vicks inhalers, Hot lemon and honey, they all gave temporary relief. I hadn't wanted to take anything stronger as I was still having chemo.
It does get you down. You'll be doing the right thing by contacting your medical team.
All the best!
Hello Sarah , I know exactly what you mean. I've had this cough for over a week now and I just long for a night's sleep. I don't have th post surgery problem that you are experiencing the cancer it's on my liver and then my diaphragm and I also have a hernia so every time I cough my stomach just seems to pop out. I am also fed up with feeling ill , and like you I don't think it's the cancer. On the upside I do think today has been a slightly better today so hoping I'm on the mend. Have you tried holding a pillow across your stomach when you cough? I always found this to be helpful after my surgery . Take care and I hope you feel better soon . 😘😘😏
Not sure if you still have your cough but Dr prescribed a codeine based night time linctus which really seemed to help last night. Wish I'd got it before! x
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for thinking of me. Fortunately I'm am now almost over my cough and I actually slept through last night........what bliss😌. However I will make a note of this in case I have the need for it in the future . My poor husband has gone down with it now, I guess that was inevitable. Hope you get over yours soon 😘😘🌻🌷
Sarah- I have same exact situation going on. I feel I strained or hurt something inside my abdomen due to the coughing and am walking around holding it. To make matters worse, I think my incision/scar is now effected. In last few days it has swelled up, turned red and looks scabby but also looks like it wants to open. I sent a pic to the nurse practioner and they want me to monitor. But seems to me the healing is going in reverse. They said the carbo could be irritating it. 😖 But I'm in next "phase of healing" which involves swelling and scar tissue and something about fluid and new types of aches and pains. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I'm sick and tired of not feeling well, and concerned my surgery recovery is hindered by these issues. I will say- I am sucking Hals throat losingers, take Tylenol before bed (in addition to my drawer full of meds) and try to drink more fluids and the cough is starting to dry up- unless its just moving from chest cold back into head cold.. again! Back and forth it goes.
If I hear more from nurses I'll let you know. Please let me know if they have any feedback or suggestions on your end.
And happy 21st bday to your son! Oh to be 21 again!
Anne, I've been given a codeine based night time cough linctus that makes you drowsy, which def helped last night. If you still have a cough might be worth looking into xxx
Thank you everyone, at least I'm in good company with this cough. Utterly fed up & really hope I get some rest tonight at least & wake feeling a tad better. I'm taking co-codamol no idea if it's helping. Will wait & see what advice the hospital have tomorrow.
Hope your CNS/ hospital can sort something so you begin to feel better. Can totally understand why it's getting you down on top of everything else you have been through. Glad you were able to celebrate your sons 21st . My daughter is 21 in December and I am keeping everything crossed that I will be well enough to enjoy.
Kim, son's 21st was lovely although don't laugh, he was so unwell on arrival he actually threw up, went to bed for an hour & didn't eat any of the lovely sit down meal for 17 of his family & friend's I'd organised. We were both gutted for him. He'd picked up a bug, & had been feeling ill the past few days. Bloody typical huh. Got to laugh really, not worth crying over xxx
What a shame . But as you say, you just have to make the most of it. Thought you were going to say he went to bed as he was hung over! My soon to be 24 year old son has turned up in the past so tired after an all nighter he has practically fallen asleep in his Sunday lunch !! Oh to be young and carefree again 😀Kim X
I would have your tummy checked out, it could just be a pulled muscle,but you just need that re affirmed.
I finished chemo March2015 and had,cold and flu constantly on and off up until I had the flu jab a month ago and started taking vitamin D,B12,Tumeric and Magnesium. It may not be the best concoction for you,but it works for me,I'd advise you look into it.
I was told our immune system takes a hammering and takes a long time to recover,you are a short time after finishing,maybe you are doing too much?
Thanks Carole, I'm still in the throes of chemo, 3 left to go. Am due all 3 this week - Taxol, carbo & avastin then just 2 Taxol before I start 3 weekly avastin only. I can't tell you how much I hate having a weakened immune system. I don't get ill!!!
Sort of makes me realise how in denial I am still about all of this... was half-planning on some counselling post-chemo to help me figure it all out... 😕 x
i can defiantly recommend counselling Sarah. Finished chemo in January and although still on Avastin really started to struggle mentally as I started to feel physically better .
Just started sessions at Guys through the Dimbleby centre and really helps to talk to someone outside of family and friends.
She has also put me down for a 'fear of reccurance group '
Think it is really normal to have a wobble after treatment stops and she said we need to remember to give our brains time to heal just like we do our bodies . Makes sense really especially after all the trauma we have been through .
I think I am frightened to feel well again as it will hit me harder if I have a recurrence . Although at the same time am trying to make the most of every day!!! Sorry to ramble on as you see I definately need to continue with the counselling !!!!😀Kim X
Kim, you're not rambling at all, it makes perfect sense. I already have a fear of recurrence & im not even NED!!! How messed up is that?! I try not to think about the consequences of having Stage 4 OC but occasionally 'those' thoughts creep in regardless
I've had the offer of counselling, but don't think I need it just yet...
My Mum had a similar thing, although it didn't last as long as yours has. The chemo nurse told her that it was because the chemo depletes the white blood cells so it's normal to catch a cold. Someone told her to have ginger tea and echinacea and that did help somewhat.
Ah Sarah you poor thing. Sounds utterly miserable. I'm glad you're getting things checked out. I'm guessing it's one of those awful things that you just need to let run it's course, but I know that doesn't necessarily help. Perhaps taking up the offer of some counselling might help in general...it can't hurt surely? Something to think about perhaps. In the meantime, i'm sending you plenty of feel better soon vibes and congrats on your son's 21st! Hope you all had a wonderful celebration which took the mind off other things for a while. Jemima xx
Thanks Jemima, yup it is pretty miserable to be fair. Have spent yet another day at home in & out of bed, feeling eurgh, plus chemo effects kicking in now.
Advice from hospital was to prescribe me a day & night 'Linctus' to help ease the cough. They were really good & faxed it to my local pharmacy, whom I rang in advance to check they'd got it, & say my son would collect for me.
Then when he got there they said 'oh sorry, we didn't have it in stock!' Aargh!! I mean how difficult is it. Felt sorry for son who went out of his way, on way to work. Just a bit frustrating. Will have to wait till tomorrow now.
Really mean to clean up my diet, as that Weill prob help, but yet again have eaten rubbish again... 😕 Must try harder tomorrow... xxx
Hi Sarah, this journey does suck, the good days are few and the bad days seem to last longer. I've notice since being diagnosed, if I pick up a cold it lasts a much longer time too. And I still have stomach pains too. Well I will send positive vibes and love your way🙏🏻💕
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