My hubby is currently on Docetaxel chemotherapy for prostate cancer but I’m posting in this forum because of the following:
He started a mucus cough in November and 7 weeks later it’s still rattling round in his lungs and he’s become very short of breath. This is despite 4 days in hospital with a chest infection being pumped full of antibiotics and antivirals as they were concerned about possible sepsis. Although breathlessness can be a side effect of Docetaxel, his oncologist has focused on 3 possible reasons: 1. It’s just one of the many viruses which can take weeks to clear, 2. It seems from a CT scan that the chest infection was actually pneumonia which could have created changes in the lungs to cause the breathlessness (hopefully not permanently if that’s the case), 3. (the most worrying one) That they’re actually lung cancer symptoms.
2 years ago he had an upper left lobectomy (clear margins & no further treatment required) and coincidentally it’s time for his annual review so he has an appt for CT scan with contrast in Feb. His oncologist is going to contact the Heart & Chest Clinic with a view to getting the date possibly brought forward and hopefully they’ll be able to get a more complete diagnosis from it.
Meanwhile, we’re wondering what can be done to ease the irritation in his lungs as once he starts coughing, it can go on for hours and is quite debilitating. As it’s in his chest cough lozenges and hot water with honey don’t help. The only thing he finds useful is a few swigs of expectorant during the day to loosen the mucus. The oncologist suggested asking the GP to prescribe an inhaler but then said they may not be agreeable as he’s on chemo. We were wondering if other people on here are in the same position and how they cope.
Hi Chocaholic28 I am sorry to hear about your husband, I can understand how worrying this is for you.
There really isn’t an easy way to ease a cough, it sounds like you have tried most things. You can also try a humidifier in the room, this time of the year with the central heating on, the air becomes very dry. I have a little humidifier next to my bed, which also has a night light on it. It wasn’t expensive, I got mine for less than £15 on Amazon. I would definitely push the GP for an inhaler as well. Sorry I can’t be any more helpful. I think the best scenario will be for his ct to be brought forward.
Wishing him all the best, please let us know how he gets on.
