PMR cough

[Ritz02]

I have had PMR for 6 years and on the whole controlled with Leflunomide. Recently I have had a cough for about a month , checked by Gp who didnt feel it was an infection maybe viral but given antibiotics as a precaution . I have finished course but cough still lingering and have noticed in the last day or two my upper back rib cage is sore and stiff when I get up in the morning but settles as the day goes on also feeling fatigued . I am now wondering if there could be a connection with PMR . Has anybody had experience with this ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Amongst the adverse effects of leflunomide are back pain and pulmonary disorders such as interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis so the GP needs to bear those in mind too. There is a cough around in the UK that is persisting for 2 or 3 months though.

[Ritz02 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response . I should have added to my post I have mild asthma well controlled and take Omeprazole for reflux

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ritz02]

I think omeprazole can cause a persistent cough - and of course if it isn't controlling the reflux, so can that,

[Exflex in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve got that cough, can’t shake it.

[Blossom20 in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry to jump in but I have that cough! Do you know if it's viral or bacterial? What is it? I've had it for 2 months. Went to doc and chest sounded clear but he wanted to give me a/bs. I didn't take them...I have mild asthma and use inhalers which help to cough up the phlegm. He also laughed when I said I was cutting down the pred and on 3mg a week as if to say why don't you just stop!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blossom20]

No idea - probably viral but people with poor immunity may develop secondary bacterial infections, same as with asthma. Oh dear - someone for a PMR patient to avoid there ...

[piglette]

I have a lot of friends who have picked up bugs over the winter and a long term cough afterwards seems to be quite ‘popular’. Up to three months in some cases.

[allofaquandry]

My husband has had a cough for about 5 weeks now, and I had laryngitis for several weeks which is now a bit of a cough first thing in the morning. about three weeks into this virus we were both absolutely wiped out and were sleeping a large part of the day. My husbands ribs were aching from all the coughing. We feel we are now doing two steps forward and one back, but feel we are now, hopefully, seeing the end in sight. I have PMR and GCA (into my 6th year), my husband doesn't, however his immune system is suppressed due to chemotherapy. He has been checked out quite thoroughly, but the doctors said it was a nasty virus that would take about 6 weeks to get over. We too because of our vulnerability, were given antibiotics just in case. We have since heard that quite a few people locally have had a nasty cough that lasts a long while.

I think, maybe being immune suppressed makes it more difficult to shake off (I did apply sick day rules, but alas this virus lasts longer than 14 days!).

Good luck and hope this information may be of some help.

[Ritz02]

Thank you hope your are both well soon

[Greenthought]

I had a cough and wheezy chest in mid-February; after three weeks with no improvement my GP put me on antibiotics and I had two week-long courses, which didn't work. I then got worse and developed a temperature over a weekend. Called NHS 111 for advice and was sent to A&E. They gave me more antibiotics, on a drip this time, but after 24 hours decided it was a virus and put me on steroids for a week - ironic, as I have not taken pred for PMR (of which, thank goodness, I had a relatively mild case, and it has pretty much gone after three years)! The steroids worked, but I've been referred to a respiratory clinic in case of underlying asthma. While in hospital, several docs told me 'there's a lot of it about', and 'it's a virus'. However, every one of us is an individual and needs to take into account all factors, e.g. those PRM Pro mentions. All best wishes for a speedy resolution.

[Gimme]

Reflux itself that is not adequately controlled can cause a cough due to irritation.

[AtopicGuy]

What kind of a cough? The symptoms vary greatly, as do the underlying causes.