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From: Sharon Chroman
On Sep. 7th, 2001 I had a pneumonectomy (removal of my right lung). After that, I found that I coughed whenever I ate. When food reached half way down my esophogus, I felt a tickle that caused me to cough. I had a swallow test which showed that the peristalsis in my esophogus was slow. Doctors told me that it was probably due the vegus nerve being touched during the surgery. I am so grateful to be alive that I am more than willing to live with my cough. I do not, however, really understand the relationship of the vegus nerve to the various associated problems that people describe. I also have low blood pressure. I've had this my whole life. But, while I was undergoing chemo & radiation, I lost a lot of weight, vomited constantly, and was on the verge of passing out every time I stood up. So, I was told the vegus nerve problem was associated with my cough, and you were told it was associated with your passing out. Now, I'm really confused.