Lingering Cough Urges

[upchurch131]

I'm 11 days post op now and I still have periodic urges to cough. At times these urges even interfere with speech. I am doing well with my lungs don't feel it is something as a result of fluid buildup in the lungs. Can there still be some issue with being inabated? Perhaps medications? Anybody have similiar experiences following surgery?

 

[Jeeb1]

Hi--regarding the cough--I had similar symptoms after getting home. It was very annoying and anxiety provoking for me. My cardiologist said that it could be due to a reflex in my diaphragm caused by where the tubes were put. I had a great deal of pain from my chest tubes and it was hard to breathe when they were in. The cough felt as though it was caused by my diaphragm kinda spasming(is that a word?). I asked my cardio about it and he said that it could be irritated. Anyway, it took a month to fully go away. I had a chest xray to be sure it wasn't coming from my lungs.

Tiffany

 

[hall]

I did not have trouble with coughing. Hope it gets better.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I see from your profile that you are taking Cozaar.
Cozaar is an ACE inhibitor.
ACE Inhibitors are notorious for causing a dry cough.

If you are still taking COZAAR, you may want to ask your Cardiologist to switch you to another to see if you can find one that does not have this effect.

FWIW, I had a similar problem, switched to another (unfortunately I've forgotten which one) and the coughing problem went away.

Ask your pharmacist about different types of ACE inhibitors, then ask if he would care to make a different recommendation. You could also GOOGLE "ACE Inhibitors" or any of the Drug Names to get lots more information.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Duff Man]

I see from your profile that you are taking Cozaar.
Cozaar is an ACE inhibitor.
ACE Inhibitors are notorious for causing a dry cough.

If you are still taking COZAAR, you may want to ask your Cardiologist to switch you to another to see if you can find one that does not have this effect.

FWIW, I had a similar problem, switched to another (unfortunately I've forgotten which one) and the coughing problem went away.

Ask your pharmacist about different types of ACE inhibitors, then ask if he would care to make a different recommendation. You could also GOOGLE "ACE Inhibitors" or any of the Drug Names to get lots more information.

'AL Capshaw'

Cozaar, or Losartan Potassium, is an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker or ARB - not an ACE inhibitor. It's one of a few drugs that can replace the ACE inhibitor if it gives you a cough. There's been several studies that prove losartan doesn't cause nearly as much coughing as an ACE inhibitor.

 

[Jkm7]

Lisinopril is a very effective ace inhibitor. Might be worth asking your cardiologist his/her thoughts about you trying that.

 

[DebbyA]

In the first few weeks, I felt a choking sensation that seemed to be something coming up from my lungs, but couldn't cough anything up. It was especially bad at night lying down, even with a wedge pillow. The surgeon's NP advised guaifenesin (Mucinex) and it worked. I used it for a couple of weeks.

The cardiologist said the cough from an ACE inhibitor would take about 3 months to manifest. I was taking lisinopril as a new post-surgery prescription.

I hope yours is resolved soon.

 

[Snoviper]

I have not had surgery yet but I get a dry cough from my blood pressure meds...Lisinopril and Toporol.

 

[Susan BAV]

Stu, were you given a spirometer for breathing exercises? If so, they're very important to keep doing them until your cardio says otherwise.

I don't know if that could help or not but just thought I'd mention it. Hoping you're feeling better soon.

 

[upchurch131]

Stu, were you given a spirometer for breathing exercises? If so, they're very important to keep doing them until your cardio says otherwise.

I don't know if that could help or not but just thought I'd mention it. Hoping you're feeling better soon.

Susan,

I'm keeping up wth the spirometer- and have good results. Home nurse is impressed. But this hasn't seemed to help. Suspect is a med change.

 

[upchurch131]

Cozaar, or Losartan Potassium, is an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker or ARB - not an ACE inhibitor. It's one of a few drugs that can replace the ACE inhibitor if it gives you a cough. There's been several studies that prove losartan doesn't cause nearly as much coughing as an ACE inhibitor.

Years ago, I had a bad (and similar reaction) with the use of Zestril. Coughed like crazy. Cardiologist switched me TO Cozaar and no problem. I went off (on Dr's orders) or Cozaar two days before my surgery and haven't taken any since. They changed my prescription to Metoprolol. I am begining to suspect this as the suspect drug.

Anyone on Metoprolol?

 

[Duff Man]

Metoprolol can cause respiratory issues too. It's a beta blocker, so sometimes it blocks the beta receptors in lungs that are responsible for keeping the passages open too, so that is often an issue for some people. Metoprolol is supposed to be more selective than other BB's, but it's far from perfect.

 

[A New Beginning]

I too have a cough since surgery. Sometimes I bring things up and sometimes i dont. My cardiologist said it is not unusual and it is just my body trying to get back to normal. So, i have a cough and I also use the spiromitor.

some days are better than others, but I have noticed it has gotten better over the past couple days it has gotten better.

Aja