r/lungcancer • u/ConfidentlyLost16 • 12d ago
Relieving Cough
Hi everyone,
My father is 78 with stage 3B adenocarcinoma (non-small cell lung cancer). He was able to complete 5 out of 6 rounds of chemo and all 30 radiation sessions. It’s been almost 3 months since treatment, and he has been declining. His oncologist advised against immunotherapy or additional treatment because of how his body responded.
The good news is the cancer on his right lung is shrinking, but there is still a very small amount left. He is now on palliative care. He requires oxygen, and his levels sometimes dip to 85–90. He can only walk (with a walker and connected to his oxygen) about 30 steps before needing a wheelchair.
The biggest issue we’re struggling with is his cough. He already has inhalers, breathing treatments, and oxygen, and we have home health support. Does anyone have experience with other ways to ease or manage the cough? For example, medications, positioning, humidifiers, or anything that helped your loved one?
Any advice to help relieve his symptoms and keep him more comfortable would mean a lot.
Thank you.
2
u/Best_Cantaloupe556 12d ago
Stage 4 NSCLC . Hycodon - cough syrup has really helped me with incessant cough, oncologist wrote rx. Hope your dad finds some comfort.
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u/WallyVans 11d ago
My wife tried it all stage4 was coughing constantly and in pain. Oncologist finally prescribed Hydrocodone syrup. It works perfectly as needed, no coughing at all. Highly recommend. Hope it gives your dad relief. Blessings.
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u/TeenzBeenz 12d ago
The Tessalon pearls, in my opinion, are often ineffective. But you can ask for them and try! My spouse's cough improved significantly with hydrocodone. But, I encourage you to ask the palliative care team and let them know how much his cough is impacting his quality of life.
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u/FlyingFalcon1954 11d ago
My oncologist prescribed Morphine 15 mg 1x per day at bedtime. I immediately slept through the night after weeks of sleeplessness from coughing. I only used it for three/five nights and it seemed to "close the gate" on the nerve pathways of my chronic coughing. My cough has not been a significant problem since.
1
u/kaisooh 11d ago edited 11d ago
You probably need to do some work-up to diagnose the reason for the cough. Is it dry or wet cough? What's the history of the cough? What other symptoms (e.g. shortness of breath)? You can probably start with CBC to see if it is bacteria infection. If it is, you will see WBC and neutrophils high. If not, you may need to test for virus. If that's ruled out, then it is probably inflammation...of course you need his doctor to do all these. I am just giving you an idea based on my own experience. As for meds for managing symptoms of cough, you may try OTC Dextromethorphan as the lowest tier. You need prescription for tessalon, symbicort, hydrocodone, morphine (in increasing strength).
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u/Level-Hyena9098 9d ago
My DRs told me that opiates was the best thing for a cough.sobthey prescribed me 30mg codeine and that really worked well for me.when I don't have that I take Robitussin severe cough and sore throat.which also works well. Good luck
3
u/missmypets 12d ago
Definitely try adding a humidifier in area he spends time at. For my cough, I found honey in a warm liquid eased some of the irritation that keeps the cough going. Have they tried giving him Tessalon Perls? It's an Rx my oncologist had me on.