Is it normal? Productive asthma cough? - Asthma Community ...

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Is it normal? Productive asthma cough?

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I have suffered from asthma since I was 16, probably actually before that but I just wasn't diagnosed until I was 16. It was exercise induced originally, became hayfever induced at about 20 and then August last year I developed a chesty cough that didn't go away and I found it difficult to catch my breath in between coughing. Several trips to the doctor and several months later I finally got a medication regime that got my symptoms under control. This is 2 puffs of flixotide 250mg morning and night, steroid nasal spray 2 sprays each morning and 1 cetirizine tablet each evening. ANYWAY I've ran out of my nasal spray and this cough has come back with avengeance along with a runny/stuffy nose. I realie that my symptoms have come back because I have run out of my medications however what is confusing me is that everywhere I read that an ""asthma cough"" is a non productive cough whereas mine is very very productive, so much that I can feel/hear it crackling when I breathe. I just wondered if that was normal for asthma? My peak flow is down to 410 from 510 as well which it's never been that low before. I KNOW I need to restart my meds, I'm working on that.

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7 Replies

I *think* an asthma cough can be productive or non-productive - just to confuse matters!!! Probably a stupid question but i'll ask it anyway - have you been taking your reliever (enough)?

I hope you get your proper medications re-started again soon [hug]

in reply to

I *think* an asthma cough can be productive or non-productive - just to confuse matters!!! Probably a stupid question but i'll ask it anyway - have you been taking your reliever (enough)?

I hope you get your proper medications re-started again soon [hug]

I have been now, but I need to take it every 2-4 hours at the moment. :( My mum text me this morning to tell me she's got all my prescriptions for me and that I owe her 25 quid dammit. But yeah I'll get them back tomorrow and hopefully within a week I'll be feeling much better!

Ouch!!! Just a thought, how much medication do you need regularly?

Just wondering cos if you need more 12 a year (ie any more than one a month, which i would guess covers most asthmatics) a pre-pay certificate would probably be useful. It's £104 a year and you can pay by 10 monthly direct debits (not sure if it costs a bit more overall this way)

Anyway, more details and a link to the application form can be found here

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

Thankyou, yeah I was going to get one of those but my mum bought me my medication this time without telling me! Glad she did though!

You're not alone and my doctors/nurse recognise productive cough as a part of asthma. I have both productive and non productive asthma coughs. When I have a tight chest or lowering peak flow I will often have a dry cough, but as my airways produce mucus with asthma symptoms I will then have a productive cough to clear the mucus. The mucus should be clear or white, but if it turns yellow or green that's a sign of infection. Hope that helps.

Consult with doctor..

So just an update,

I started my meds and added montelukast in a week ago and literally the day after I felt 100% better!

I went to the doctors yesterday and he said my chest is clear so it was just a flare up due to not taking my meds. That's the last time I'll think I don't need all my meds!

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