Raised lymph glands CT

My Nan has had a cough now since late 2019. She's had various investigations and over the time it was decided it was likely GERD/GORD related. She was prescribed a medication that worked amazingly and got rid of the cough but it got recalled and we've never found one that works since. She saw a oncologist in 2020 for some unusual blood results but on repeat of the tests was discharged. She then developed extreme depression and anxiety, likely related to the constant coughing but also the isolation of lockdown! She lost a lot of weight (through not eating!) & does experience breathlessness. She has a constant runny nose and has been prescribed nasal spray and brown and blue asthma pumps. Whilst she takes these often I wouldn't call to regularly. Recently the whole package become too much and she was referred to a older person clinic - mainly to get a handle on the depression. An increase in anxiety meds saw a huge improvement in mood and apetite and she agreed to go for an X-ray and CT scan to look further into the cough. The X-ray was clear but the scan showed a few raised lymph glands. NB: The afternoon of the scan the cough seemed worse than ever and it subsequently turned out she had caught a chest infection - it did the rounds throughout the family. She was given a course of antibiotics and the cough completely went for 2-3 weeks (maybe more!) It very slowly came back over Xmas (where she admitted she had stopped all prescribed medication as she thought it had gone I.E pumps & sprays) and since a discussion with geriatric consultant regarding the fact it could be cancer -it's back to how it was pre infection. We are pretty sure it's GERD and anxiety related and whilst she can not say without testing, we feel the consultant does too. She's 84 and therefore been told that a lot of testing/aggressive treatment wouldn't be appropriate now anyway. The consultant in discussion with a lung specialist has said to repeat CT in 3 months and she'll review again in 4 months. I just wondered if anyone has experience on this? Does this seem a good course of action? If it were to be cancer is that amount of time detrimental? Any thoughts would be welcome as she is going into decline again now. Thank you x

  • Hello WillKit84 and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    Your poor Nan - that cough keeps coming and going and I hope that they get to the bottom of it and that it goes away for good. It's so nice of you to be so concerned about her. It sounds like the doctors are convinced it is GERD related. It's very reassuring that the X Ray was clear and it's good they are keeping an eye on these raised lymph glands and will do a repeat of the CT scan in 3 months. It does sound like they are not overly worried especially as the X Ray was clear. She seems to be in very good hands and they are taking things seriously and monitoring her closely but if you wanted to be completely reassured, there is always the option of seeking a second opinion, talking to another GP even about this to see whether this seems like a good course of action. You can find out more about getting a second opinion on this page. 

    I hope you will hear from other members of our forum who have had a similar experience before and that they will be along shortly to talk to you about their story. 

    I hope your nan feels better soon and that the cough and anxiety go away completely. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator