constant congestion and coughing

[mcthistle10]

I was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx Jan 2007. When I had a scan at the sunnybrook cancer center they discovered another tumor in the lung .... as the results were 2 primary cancers the treatmant was radical. I had 30 radiations on my neck and 33 on my lungs ...I also had chemotherepy and ended up in the hospital for a month with an infection from the chemo . I went through all the symptoms   i.e.kidney problems, blood transfusions, feeding tubes I also lost 70lbs in weight I went through 9 months of home care and eventually put on some weight and felt a lot better. I have since had 3 scans the neck tumor has cleared up and the lung tumor is dormant. Spring and summer of 2008 I felt quit good but in Oct 2008 I started experiencing lots of conjestion and coughing my back hurt too. I have been taking 15mg Predison (3 pils every other day advised by my specialist) I also have had 2 rounds of anti biotics and numerious bottles of over the counter cough meds but the coughing has not stopped. I had morphine sulphate recomended by my Dr. in 2008 but it was making me delerious I know my situation itsn't the best but is there anything that you can recommend that would give me some relief (even if it means going back on the morphine sulphate). The one thing I think in my favour is all the coughing is white thick flem (phlegm), every Dr. that I speak to goes back to the amount of radiation I received. I am male 62years of age now weighing 180lbs. Any advice would be greatly appreicated. John    


This discussion is related to COUGHING DUE TO RADIATION FIBROSIS.

[pam76]

Did you have a chest x ray done or a chest ct scan.  It sounds like you may have pleural effusions (fluid in your lungs).  Sometimes lasix helps to relieve the fluid.  Also, since you underwent radiation, this could be a side effewct of that.  
My husband was radiated in the chest area, and has since had much congestion to teh point of shortness of breath.  His cancer is in remission, but teh radiation has effected his heart a bit, and teh mitral valve is leaking.  After being treated for bronchitis twice, seeing his oncologist, and cardiologist, nothing showed up except for some fluid in teh lungs.  After much persistance, he was finally diagnosed with CHF,, congestive heart failure.  There is radtion fibrosis on teh anterior wall of his heart, and with the valve leaking, this does not allow teh blood to flow correctly, and his kidneys can not get enough blood either from teh same so fluid is backing up in the lungs and causes congestion.
It can be managed...that's what we're being told, anyway.  His last radiation treatment was 7 yuears ago, and no problems until now.

Hope this helps.  I'd definitely be persistant with the doctors; like I said, no one picked it up until he was short of breath, thata I took him to teh ER.
Best of luck, and God Bless!