Question:
I have developed a dry cough...

I am sure I am just being being paranoid but is there a chance I have a blood clot in my lung? I dont have a cold and I have no nasal drainage. Should I worry?    — Debbie W. (posted on November 9, 2002)

November 9, 2002
It doesn't sound like blood clot in your lungs. If it were, you would not be able to breath well enough to tolerate being online. If you have increasing shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 and your surgeon immediately.
   — Cheryl W.

November 9, 2002
Hi there...I had the same thing happen my first week post op and it caused major pain (!!!) in my still tender ab area. I kept having tickles in my throat and would start the dry hacking cough...until I was ready to dry heave. My mom was terrified I had a blod clot but I believe it was from the irritation in my throat from the intubation tube. My Dr's nurse confirmed that it depends on how hard they have to work to get the tube into the lungs and it can cause lingering irritation. What really helped me was getting the sugar free cough drops to keep my throat moist...you might try and see if the menthol helps soothe your cough. Good luck to you
   — TanaMom2JAM

November 9, 2002
How long have you had the cough? A dry cough can come from so many things: having your furnace run (especially if you use gas heat); being in a closed up house; too much dust in the air (happens more in the winter from the house being closed up and the furnace blowing dust up from the vents); allergies acting up - I noticed the surgery set my allergies into high gear for over a month post-op; sleeping on an old pillow can do it - or using a blanket that's been in storage all summer. I would think that 6 weeks post-op it's highly unlikely that you've now developed a clot in your lung and like the previous poster stated, you'd be extremely miserable. However, if it continues you should seriously search for the cause and if necessary to ease your fears, talk to your doctor. I'd suggest trying some diabetic tussin to help in the interim. Great stuff and only for coughs so you won't get over medicated :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 9, 2002
a dry cough is not a symptom of a blood clot in the lung. A blood clot would cause caughing, frothy sputum, pain in the chest, and most a noticable shortness of breath. The discomfort is such that you would not be posting here on the board, you would have gone ot the emergency room with out even thinking twice. Do you have allergies??? This time of year the leaf mold is killing me!
   — Vicki L.

November 10, 2002
Thanks guys, I do have alergies and I have thought that. I know I am just a little paranoid. My abs are sore from coughing and my son uses the diabetic tussin so I think I will try that. Thanks.
   — Debbie W.