Post Oesophagectomy Cough

Hi I looked this up on another site .

”After an oesophagectomy some people develop a dry cough which can be persistent and cause you to feel sick and regurgitate. Try to keep your throat moist, suck a sweet or try codeine linctus syrup which will suppress it. Also try not to talk too much as this can exacerbate it.”

Thirteen months post surgery my husband still experiences dry coughs intermittently but not persistently. …

Anything that is concerning you can be discussed with your specialist nurse ..My husband’s SN has been a great source of help and advice if we’ve had any issues 

regards J 

Hi Gareth. Yes! I had my oesophagectomy on 13 October last year, and am currently on round 3 of post-op FLOT. It's only just started going away, with much relief, I can tell you. I spoke with my surgeon during check-ups and he said the cough was a sign of healing and would eventually go, so I did relax a little with that advice. I didn't take anything for it though, and just hoped he was right. Four months of coughing wasn't very nice, and you have my sympathies. Some days were a lot worse than others, but I did find sips of squash helped during a coughing fit. All normal, so try not to worry.

Thank you for the reply Nicky. Very reassuring, as it’s driving me crazy. I can barely hold a conversation without uncontrollably coughing and spluttering. 
So you are 3/4 through your post op chemo. Are you still finding it less difficult than before? I am seeing the oncologist on Thursday about starting mine again. Just want it done now. 
How’s your eating going? 

Gareth 

Hi Gareth. Yes, I'm three-quarters through post-op chemo. I was dreading it as everyone has said it's harder than the first lot, but in actual fact I've found it easier going this time. The side effects haven't been nearly as bad, although the nausea most definitely has. That is helped with meds though, so all in all it's been fairly bearable.

My coughing was like yours, couldn't talk without spluttering, and I am at 4 months now, but it's almost gone. Still get the odd tickle, but nothing like before. Hang in there, hopefully it'll ease soon for you. I haven't had any damage from coughing, which I was worried about, just those ribs hurting, eh?! Not what you need!

My eating is going really well. I even have an appetite (when the chemo nausea let's me), which I'm pleased with as I was told I'd lose appetite and would have to treat food differently. I haven't, everything is as it was before, I still love my food and can eat everything again, even curries, albeit smaller portions. Things are definitely on the up and getting better now, and I'm sure you'll feel the same soon. My surgeon 'told me off' lol, said I 'need to be patient'... and he was right :-) I've definitely turned a corner now. Still a little rib pain and tightness, but even that is getting better now 

Hi Gareth

I've not posted on here for a while but occasionally drop in to see if I can help. I'm 6 years post op this year. The post-op cough is a thing am afraid but it does get better. Look to 8-12 weeks for a lot of things to really calm down especially the coughing, dumping, nerve pain and continue to improve.  I used to cough so much post op my family called it my cough-a-thon.  These days I occasionally get the tickle in my throat when am eating chunkier food and if the air is very dry but it is so so so much better. 

Good evening from Northern California,

My name is Fr John Christianson (73 yrs old), as a Greek Orthodox priest, I was recently granted retirement from my Bishop in order to take care of my wife of 51 yrs. I’d been having issues with swallowing, and two weeks later after an endoscopy, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. My oncologist came up with a plan FLOT, and after meeting with the family and extended family we all agreed that this was the best course to follow. Chemo on the front end, then surgery, then more chemo post surgery (which I begin this coming Monday March 10). Hospital stay seven days after surgery then back to home with chest tubes, and lots of belly punctures. Seems like healing is moving along nicely, with home health nurses coming by everyday to change the dressings. Last chest incision closed up on Wednesday, dressings removed, full shower now. What drew me to this forum was the fussy ticklish cough that comes out of nowhere. I was kind of at my wits end this last night worrying about why this cough was so persistent; when early in the morning I read about some of your experiences. Reading them was really helpful, and I’m so glad I found you all. My son-in-law is a solicitor there in London, and my daughter got me all set up on this sight this morning. Digestive issues and readjusting to the reshaped plumbing. My tumor was located at the gastro / esophageal junction, so post surgery, I have no sphincter. I can eat anything but my surgeon and acupuncturist strongly recommend that I take it easy, which I am doing. Definitely a bit of trial and error in this process to be sure. Pathology report (post surgery) was quite good, not perfect, but no spread, no infected nodes, pretty much clean as a whistle, Thank God. Please sign on and give me some feed on your experiences, I’m looking for insight as I proceed forward with the next 4 chemo treatments, and trying to maintain weight (130 lbs now) and hopefully gain back what I’ve lost (15 lbs). Again very happy I found all of you. Fr John       

Hi there

Sorry to hear you are going through this brutal experience. Your care plan sounds very similar to mine and others on here. Hope the post-op chemo goes well. I think some find it hard going so do go steady and try to relax and eat well. Do you have a jej - feeding tube fitted? That helps to keep the weight steady. 

I'm a few yrs on and doing well. My cough has subsided greatly as I said in my post but the sensation around needing to cough does still hover below the surface. Like everything else, you get used to it over time. I'm afraid with some things...what can not be cure must be endured but really it rarely bothers me. 

I put my experiences in an art book. It's free to download from oesophagectomylife.co.uk l've also just run a virtual exhibition for OC Awareness month on instagram. All free. 

I hope you find plenty of support on here. There is bound to be someone just embarking on post-op chemo who can be a buddy. 

Best wishes to you.

Good morning John good to have you aboard ! I’m sorry I can’t help with your post op cough as I’m still awaiting my surgery, but I was interested that you mentioned acupuncture! How did this help you please ? Was it for the pain ? Many thanks Tricia 

I think this coughing problem is pretty much universal as I have known of several people with the same issue. I am still coughing badly in the morning nearly 2 years post op. However those of us who have managed to have and get through the surgery just need to see this as a minor irritation in my view. When I read about the suffering that some people and their partners are going through as a result of this dreadful disease I realise just how lucky I am as a survivor and one of those who was able to receive surgery. Glad to read that overall you are doing well. 

Welcome to the forum, Fr John. You'll get plenty of support here. It might be better to start your own thread. I hope your wife is okay now? 

Kindest wishes,

Lorraine