Changes in immune system?

My guess is that this doesn't have anything to do with melanoma and you may be seeing the wrong kind of dr for this. Have you seen your GP instead of your onc about it?  I'm going to sound like a really bad commercial here, "I'm not a doctor but I'm married to a pharmacist."

Sounds like sinus drainage that hasn't been treated.  For one, don't lay flat in bed. Elevate your neck and head. Try an over-the-counter like Loratadine….only after consulting with your GP first. Just because it doesn't sound like alleriges, doesn't mean it isn't.  Allergies can begin any time and be to anything.  Also, allergy-like symptoms can be caused by other things but still remedied like allergies.

I'd talk with my GP or my pharmacist…the one you get all your scrips filled from, who knows your meds & history.  They usually know more than the GP about what you're taking and drug interactions and can steer you to what may bring you relief without conflicting with something you're already taking.  AND< they'll tell you who you need to see if you need a dr. with this.  Never overlook your pharmacist as a resource!

Good luck!
Grace and peace,

Carol

My guess is that this doesn't have anything to do with melanoma and you may be seeing the wrong kind of dr for this. Have you seen your GP instead of your onc about it?  I'm going to sound like a really bad commercial here, "I'm not a doctor but I'm married to a pharmacist."

Sounds like sinus drainage that hasn't been treated.  For one, don't lay flat in bed. Elevate your neck and head. Try an over-the-counter like Loratadine….only after consulting with your GP first. Just because it doesn't sound like alleriges, doesn't mean it isn't.  Allergies can begin any time and be to anything.  Also, allergy-like symptoms can be caused by other things but still remedied like allergies.

I'd talk with my GP or my pharmacist…the one you get all your scrips filled from, who knows your meds & history.  They usually know more than the GP about what you're taking and drug interactions and can steer you to what may bring you relief without conflicting with something you're already taking.  AND< they'll tell you who you need to see if you need a dr. with this.  Never overlook your pharmacist as a resource!

Good luck!
Grace and peace,

Carol

Did you go through any Interferon Therapy?????  I had two surgeries and 25 lymphonodes removed and since that and 1 week of high does inf therapy, I have had random rashes, swelling in the arm where the lymphnodes were not taken out, swelling of the bottoms of my hands and the palms of my hands, severe joint pain, and bone pain, and I had my surgery in 2006 and still sufffer from these side effects today.  I don't know if its the Interferon or if it has to do with the amount of lymphnodes they remove, because lymphnodes are the filtering system for our entire body.  After the two surgeries under my arm I then has severe chronic pain from the surgery which never went away.  If I had it to do again….I would l think real hard before I'd jump, but when they tell you how terrible it is and you might die, you do just about anything.

I hope for your sake all your symptoms go away…..I really do….Stage IIIB

Did you go through any Interferon Therapy?????  I had two surgeries and 25 lymphonodes removed and since that and 1 week of high does inf therapy, I have had random rashes, swelling in the arm where the lymphnodes were not taken out, swelling of the bottoms of my hands and the palms of my hands, severe joint pain, and bone pain, and I had my surgery in 2006 and still sufffer from these side effects today.  I don't know if its the Interferon or if it has to do with the amount of lymphnodes they remove, because lymphnodes are the filtering system for our entire body.  After the two surgeries under my arm I then has severe chronic pain from the surgery which never went away.  If I had it to do again….I would l think real hard before I'd jump, but when they tell you how terrible it is and you might die, you do just about anything.

I hope for your sake all your symptoms go away…..I really do….Stage IIIB

Hello – I just wanted to tell you my husband's story because your cough is familiar.  Mike was 41 when diagnosed (stage 3a) and for the past couple of years before he had a nasty cough that emerged each Spring.  When I found his melanoma almost 2 years ago, he was just getting over this horrible cough once again.  He was worn out from over a month of coughing, not sleeping well, working too much, etc…and his immune system had to be very low.  I have heard of others being diagnosed after illness or pregnancy – when your immune system might not working as usual.  Each time he got this cough it seemed like it wasnt stemming from allergies or a cold or congestion.  It was weird.  This year, he is just getting over a month long cough again (was not fun for me either due to no sleep!).  He did have a little congestion this time but not a lot – the doc could actually see post nasal drip even though he didnt really feel it.   To cover all bases, the doc gave him antibiotics, an asthma inhaler and codeine syrup – none of this helped.  It has been over a month now and he is still coughing – but just a little.  

My husband did not do interferon either – and this was the first time he has been sick since his diagnosis so his system seems to be working better than it used to.

For you, it doesnt seem to be getting better which worries me.  Why won't they do a chest xray?  I would demand one if you arent getting scans in the near future.  You need your rest and there has got to be something that can help you feel better.

Best,

Emily

http://www.emandmichael.com

Hello – I just wanted to tell you my husband's story because your cough is familiar.  Mike was 41 when diagnosed (stage 3a) and for the past couple of years before he had a nasty cough that emerged each Spring.  When I found his melanoma almost 2 years ago, he was just getting over this horrible cough once again.  He was worn out from over a month of coughing, not sleeping well, working too much, etc…and his immune system had to be very low.  I have heard of others being diagnosed after illness or pregnancy – when your immune system might not working as usual.  Each time he got this cough it seemed like it wasnt stemming from allergies or a cold or congestion.  It was weird.  This year, he is just getting over a month long cough again (was not fun for me either due to no sleep!).  He did have a little congestion this time but not a lot – the doc could actually see post nasal drip even though he didnt really feel it.   To cover all bases, the doc gave him antibiotics, an asthma inhaler and codeine syrup – none of this helped.  It has been over a month now and he is still coughing – but just a little.  

My husband did not do interferon either – and this was the first time he has been sick since his diagnosis so his system seems to be working better than it used to.

For you, it doesnt seem to be getting better which worries me.  Why won't they do a chest xray?  I would demand one if you arent getting scans in the near future.  You need your rest and there has got to be something that can help you feel better.

Best,

Emily

http://www.emandmichael.com