coughing more...especially at night

benjamin2121
benjamin2121 Member Posts: 24
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am 5 weeks after treatment and I have started coughing more especially at night when i am laying down...is this "normal" or have some or most of you experienced something similar? As i wait to go back to my first post pet....all and any new changes are making me anxious,

 

Thanks,

B 

Comments

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #2
    cough, cough

    I started coughing a lot more about a month out of treatment.  I'm 4 months out and still have to have a cup/bottle of water with me during the day and at night.  I sleep propped up still and find that I cough when my mouth starts drying out...as it does each night.  I think it's pretty normal, but calling the doctor is something I'm all for (and do quite often).  The "new" things that start happening regularly make me nervous too! 

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #3
    wedge pillow

    I'm almost 2 years out and still sleep with a wedge pillow under my pillow, probably always will..it's a small price to pay for health, and actually very comfortable. My insurance paid for mine, ordered through my Drs office

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Abi-Normal...

    More than likely it's going to be part of your new abi-normal...

    Like mentioned, I too still dry out enough at bight that I cough. I do have probably 100% of my saliva during the day and awake hours. It's when I sleep that I dry out..., then cough.

    But at nearly five years post Dx, I'm glad to have this small annoyance and enjoy life.

    Best,

    John

  • benjamin2121
    benjamin2121 Member Posts: 24
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Abi-Normal...

    More than likely it's going to be part of your new abi-normal...

    Like mentioned, I too still dry out enough at bight that I cough. I do have probably 100% of my saliva during the day and awake hours. It's when I sleep that I dry out..., then cough.

    But at nearly five years post Dx, I'm glad to have this small annoyance and enjoy life.

    Best,

    John

    thanks...that is what my wife

    thanks...that is what my wife keeps saying but everything make me nervous till we have the first pet scan....how did you get thru the waiting period...any tips on keeping your mind focused on anything else....lol

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Hi Ben

     

    Sometimes it goes away but some times it comes to stay. Like John said another part of your new normal you. You might want to try something like Stoppers 4 to help with dryness, especially at night. Your body needs a lot of rest and if you are up all night coughing it will not get the rest it needs.

     

    Wishing you the best

    Hondo

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #7
    cough and turn your head

    B,

    It is official, you are abi-normal and you know the secret H&N cough.

    Unless it is a persistent, irritating cough it is probably normal after the ride you have been on.  I use Xylimelts on a regular bases to aid the dry mouth problem, hence aid one of the reasons for coughing.

    Worrying about ones (future) health is just a little more important now, but the anxiety relaxes as you get more time under your belt and life returns to (new) normal.

    I still cough, but it is normally when a little spit goes down the wrong tube, it doesn’t take much.  Anyway, coughing is the only way Skiffen and TracyLynn will let me in to the meetings.

    Keep moving forward,

    Matt

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    CivilMatt said:

    cough and turn your head

    B,

    It is official, you are abi-normal and you know the secret H&N cough.

    Unless it is a persistent, irritating cough it is probably normal after the ride you have been on.  I use Xylimelts on a regular bases to aid the dry mouth problem, hence aid one of the reasons for coughing.

    Worrying about ones (future) health is just a little more important now, but the anxiety relaxes as you get more time under your belt and life returns to (new) normal.

    I still cough, but it is normally when a little spit goes down the wrong tube, it doesn’t take much.  Anyway, coughing is the only way Skiffen and TracyLynn will let me in to the meetings.

    Keep moving forward,

    Matt

    Secret...Shhh

    Matt, at least you didn't mention the super secret...

    Two coughs, a burp, then pass a little gas...., ooops I might have just spilled the beans. I didn't even go into the acid reflux, cough, choke, gag reflex...

    Ben, as Matt said, with time the "scanxiety" does lessen..., But it doesn't take much to set it off, unfortunate side of what we have been through.

    John

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #9
    Very normal !

    A few things I did in the beginning was sleep in a recliner with a humidifer running.  (but not right next to me)  Also pushing fluids....my handi dandi bottle of water is never far from me !  Things will settle down for you, or as some of us accept our new abi-normal.  Keep posting and ask any and all questions.  I use quite a few pillows to keep my head up now in bed.  I can't lie flat or I wake myself up coughing.  Katie

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #10
    CivilMatt said:

    cough and turn your head

    B,

    It is official, you are abi-normal and you know the secret H&N cough.

    Unless it is a persistent, irritating cough it is probably normal after the ride you have been on.  I use Xylimelts on a regular bases to aid the dry mouth problem, hence aid one of the reasons for coughing.

    Worrying about ones (future) health is just a little more important now, but the anxiety relaxes as you get more time under your belt and life returns to (new) normal.

    I still cough, but it is normally when a little spit goes down the wrong tube, it doesn’t take much.  Anyway, coughing is the only way Skiffen and TracyLynn will let me in to the meetings.

    Keep moving forward,

    Matt

    Secret...Shhh

    ooops. what ^ said...

    John

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