cough

WomanofSteel · 03-12-2009, 03:51 PM

Ok since I am feeling lazy, rather than read through the 419 posts on herceptins side effects, I just wanted to know if anyone had a wheezy cough as a side effect of herceptin? I seem to have this wheezy cough that is worse when I laugh or do a lot of physical activity. Sometimes at night I actually wheeze and whistle so loud my partner thinks its one of the cats making noise. Anyone?

vickie h · 03-12-2009, 09:57 PM

I never experienced a cough with herceptin, but I do know there are some pretty severe allergies/ respiratory illnesses going around this year. My Onc has several patients wheezing right now, some on herceptin but the bulk of them not. Hopefully, this is just your lungs battling a virus. If it continues, I would be diligent in getting that checked out. Love, Vickie

Believe51 · 03-13-2009, 06:42 AM

WomanofSteel, I just wanted to tell you that Ed has been wheezing a bit, especially during his sleep. I had to mute the TV the other night just to find out what the noise was. He is not on Herceptin anymore and the doctor firmly believes it may be allergies since there is no ongoing infection. This year will be one of the toughest ones for allergies and even I am feeling them earlier than I normally do. I am praying that this is nothing more than that for you My Sweet. Keep an eye on it and address this further if needed. I would atleast inform the doctor to both communicate what is happening and maybe to ease your mind.>>Believe51

Sheila · 03-13-2009, 09:51 AM

If you find out what it is, please tell me...I have been battling this cough for 3 1/2 months...CT's, xrays, all normal....I had a Dr tell me to drink hot tea with a tsp. of butter in it.....(I hate butter so this takes some getting used to!) I think it coats the throat from irritation....I do know that at night I take Phenergan with codiene...2 tsp. and I sleep like a baby!

MJo · 03-13-2009, 11:14 AM

I had a cough while taking Herceptin. So did a friend of mine who was treated at the same time. We called it our "herceptin cough." In fact, I would start coughing about 20 minutes into my infusion. It went away a few months after I finished treatment

WomanofSteel · 03-13-2009, 07:02 PM

Well on top of the cough I now have an upper respiratory thing going on, After about 5 hours of blood work and exams and waiting today, I came home armed with antibiotics, prednisone and an inhaler. I probably will have to go for a ct in the next few weeks. At least I have a little relief.

pffida · 03-13-2009, 10:11 PM

My herceptin cough was caused by herceptin-induced cardiomyopathy. Don't ignore the cough, especially if its disruptive (trying to sit through business meetings) or it keeps you or your significant other awake at night.

As soon as I mentioned it to my doctor, they sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist and my pcp were debating whether it was caused by my blood pressure medicine. I had a whole series of cardiac tests and other than the cardiomyopathy, there were no other heart problems. So, we stopped herceptin for 5 weeks. There was relief from the cough within a week.

After the herceptin rest, I started up again, only with weekly treatments instead of every 3 weeks. The onc has had success with this, and I was no exception. No more coughing and at the end of treatment, last May, I had another echocardiogram and all was well.

Bill · 03-13-2009, 10:29 PM

I thought it was "common knowledge" that Herceptin caused a cough. Maybe I'm wrong.

WomanofSteel · 03-14-2009, 08:30 AM

Bill I guess this means I am not so common LOL!

Bill · 03-14-2009, 11:18 AM

WOS, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I just thought that most people on herceptin got that little cough, but it's not an "official" side effect of the drug.

WomanofSteel · 03-14-2009, 11:34 AM

Relax Bill, I was just making a funny. I guess my sense of humor is a little dry and warped. I know you didn't mean anything other than to inform me and be helpful. You are a gem. Loosen up fella!

Jackie07 · 03-14-2009, 12:25 PM

It sounded like "chronic bronchitis" to me. The medicine (antibiotics) ought to clear it up and get rid of the problems. If it persists after the treatment, your docoter might check allergy and/or other possible causes.

I am not sure Herceptin is 'definitely' the culprit. The good thing about this board is that we can exchange information and provide support with/to each other. We are all speaking from our own point of view/experience and trying to offer help.

I am offering some wholesome 'fruit punch' at the camp fire site. See y'al there.

sassy · 03-14-2009, 12:48 PM

I had the Herceptin cough. Just a little hacking type. It went well with the water gushing nose.

Believe51 · 03-17-2009, 01:29 PM

WomanofSteel, I am thinking of you so much lately. Keep us posted about what is happening with you. Thought I would send you a special cyberhug and tons of healing energy. Still hoping that this is allergies. Love you girl>>Believe51

Believe51 · 03-23-2009, 10:11 AM

Thinking of you and wondering how things are going? Feeling any better?? Please let us know how you are doing.>>Believe51

WomanofSteel · 03-23-2009, 11:25 AM

Marie, sorry I have been a little busy and have only made some quick posts. My cold is gone, but I am still plagued by the cough, so my onc sent me for a cat scan on Friday. I am still waiting to hear what if anything it shows. I have been telling them that I also feel that stubborn lymph node in my neck again, but no one seems overly concerned but me. By the way how do you like the freaky avatar my kid drew for me? She saw the pic in a garfield comic and added on to it a little for me.

Believe51 · 03-23-2009, 01:59 PM

Still saying these prayers for you and thank you for the update. Also wanted to tell you that I do love the avatar. I was actually wondering where you got it. Hang in there girl, you will get to the bottom of it soon. In the meantime I will say my prayers louder!!>>Believe51

Jackie07 · 03-23-2009, 03:14 PM

Your child is very talented. Ask him (her?) to possibly keep a picture journal for you.

schoolteacher · 03-24-2009, 04:28 AM

Woman of Steel,

From your post, it sounds like you are feeling a little better. I hope so. Let us know how your scan turns out.

Hope you have a good day.

Amelia

Lani · 03-24-2009, 06:59 AM

blue bar above this,

Just type in Lani cough and you get six threads IN ADDITION TO THE posting two cents about herceptin thread, which I agree is long (thanks to many contributors!)

It is before 7am and I am travelling so I will be lazy and not copy and paste it again. It is TRULY esy to find and there is an actually interesting study where they biopsied a lady with a chronic cough on herceptin and then biopsied her airways again once she was off herceptin and her cough resolved and found how many fewer specialized cells of various types were made. This may have implications for the GI tract and GI symptoms as well.

Just to to search and tyoe Lani cough into the box. Here is what you get;

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