Good Day , My husbands lung cancer is now terminal , he was given Oramorph , however he is no longer taking it as it constipates him . Any suggestions for an alternative to relieve the cough. I am now using honey lemon as olive oil .
Good Day , My husbands lung cancer is now terminal , he was given Oramorph , however he is no longer taking it as it constipates him . Any suggestions for an alternative to relieve the cough. I am now using honey lemon as olive oil .
Hello Buckie
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Helen, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line. Welcome back to the online community.
I hope the homemade olive oil, honey and lemon syrup is helping sooth your husband’s cough.
I have popped a link to our information on controlling the symptoms of lung cancer, which has a reference to helping a cough, as well as how to manage breathlessness and discomfort.
Roy Castle Lung Foundation has a leaflet on managing the symptoms of either a dry or wet cough, as does the NHS.
If you don’t have the community palliative care team supporting you, you may think it helpful to ask your GP to make a referral. Palliative care nurses are sometimes called Macmillan nurses and work in the community alongside the GP.
They specialise in managing pain and other symptoms. They would be able to give advice on whether the nebuliser mentioned in the links above would be a benefit, for example.
They are also experts in giving emotional support to patients and their families.
I hope you find this information helpful. I see that you have joined our lung cancer forum and hope this is a support to you.
Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if there is anything else we can help you with.
Best wishes, Helen
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.
Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.
Ref/ JL
