cough, cough,and more cough

[ADESI]

I have had this mostly non-productive dry cough for about six weeks
now , in my 33rd week of tx (180 peg and 1200 riba) . Was wondering if this
could be tx related, and if so, is there anything to do to get rid of it?
I am in N. California and w/ all the smoke these days it's really irritating
me lungage.

[TonydNJ]

same here, have had all kind of tests, mri, cat scans etc. I have been put on all different kinds of antibiotics but still have the cough with clear flem, sorry to be discusting. I continue to still have this weird feeling in my upper right back which i am told it could be the lung but my doctor says the lungs are cleared, I don't smoke but now since being on treatment for 9 weeks now is when i started having all these problems with cough, especially with the shortness of breath which has gotten better but also being told i have a slight case of asthma which i never had any issues before treatment. I don't know what to think. Also has anyone had ever heard of issues with the meds to cause your IGE level to get really high. Thanks Tony

[meki]

I think almost everyone here experiences some sort of Lung problems while on TX. A dry hacking cough --- without pain... Some folks get lots of mucous... and others dry out - and sometimes those develop into BACTERIAL infections.

Highly unlikely TXers get VIRAL infections... But it does happen.

Some of those problems become serious medical issues.

Please do get it checked.

Meki

[FloridaMouse]

I had the dreaded Riba Cough the entire 48 weeks of my first round of tx (I was also still smoking at the time).  I agree with the posters that said you need to get it checked out.  It is probably the Riba but my GI made me get a chest x-ray and see a pulmonologist just to be safe.

Mouse

[evangelin]

My husband is treating for his third try .  He gets this dry cough too which I've always heard was caused by Riba but who knows.  It mostly bothers him at night when trying to go to sleep.  This time we have discovered a really good cure...plain old honey.  They have banned most cough syrups for kids and are telling you to give the kids (not babies though) a spoon of honey.  It worked well for my 4 yr. old so I tried it for Joe and it actually works.  It seems way too easy but give it a try.  It has so far completely eliminated this as a problem.  He has lots of other unpleasant sx though. :>(
Ev

[rita863]

ITs the riba,  cough some flem but mostly cough....I also lose my voice!

[paulalynn1965]

I too have this nagging cough. It seems to be worse in the morning. Mine too for the most part is not productive but I seem to be getting a scratchy throat from it as well. I just assumed it to be the meds and have not been to concerned about it. But I will keep an eye out that it doesn't get worse and go into pnemonia. I actually just had that over the winter months. Not a fun thing.

[Marcia2202]

If you have pneumonia, you HAVE to take antibiotics. Some coughs one can catch with Oil of Oregano at an early stage, but since the immune system is compromised while on tx, one is more prone to infections. People used to die of pneumonia, before the times of antibiotics. So nothing to be experimenting with.

Marcia

[Rockerforlife]

I thought antibiothics and TX dont mix,spose to lessen the power of the drugs or something...wouldnt it be safer to take oil of oregano...its dosent react with any phama meds and it works great on flus and colds....

[jdwithhcv]

I agree with Magnum.  I developed a dry cough early in tx and assumed it was the Riba.  At week 38 I finally went to the ER with severe back pain - it was pneumonia and it was pretty well dug in by then.  Antibiotics cleared it up.  Get checked, the sooner the better.

jd

[Magnum]

I would see a pulmonary specialist and not jump so quickly to think it's the Ribavirin. There are specific tests a pulmonay specialist will give you. I had the same exact symptoms, and mine was a pulmonary infection at the bottom of both lungs, which was indicated by fluid gathering.

Not to worry though, there are specific anti-biotics. Mine cleared after the medicine regiment he gave me was done. See a specialist. Don't keep guessing.... Don't wait.... tick tock, tick tock... you want to catch this ASAP so it can be treated properly.

Magnum

[GreatBird]

My understanding is that it's the riba.