Anyone here have asthma where their main symptom is a dry cough!
Triggers are cleaning product, perfume/scent, smells, flowers, air con and a cold/virus! I can walk into a room and smell something, which I know will set me off and have to leave immediately! So difficult to get away from smell!!
The cough I get gives me a 24/7 feeling of needing to cough which can be debilitating when it goes on for months!( can’t speak or sleep)
I’m actually starting to feel a bit better with fostair and a course of steroids and antibiotics!
Wondered if anyone has any similar hyper lungs like mine!
What works for you please x
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Spadehandle
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yes I’m the same I cough every time I come into contact with anything I shouldn’t, it’s annoying and lasts for days after even when away from what’s troubling me. If I know before hand something is going to set me off I take extra puff or 2 of Fostair or Ventolin an hour before. I also carry a packet of fisherman’s friends or Jakemans cough sweets which takes the edge off. I’m on the mart regime with Fostair which helps so can take extra puffs.
Thanks for sharing! This is me all over including the fisherman’s friends, halls extra strong menthol losengers and vick! Add a mask to this I get a nice few moments of warming relief !
A dry hacking cough can be a symptom, or the main symptom, of asthma. But the treatment is the same where asthmatics don't have a cough; steroid inhaler or a combination inhaler (like your Fostair) and a rescue inhaler like Ventolin for acute episodes. The aim of treatment is to reduce the symptoms so that they're not a daily occurrence. It sounds like you're far from achieving a cough free existence and your quality of life is being affected.
The steroid or combination inhaler takes around 8 weeks to build up to full efficacy. If after 8 weeks your symptoms haven't settled then you should review your progress with your asthma nurse or doctor as you may need a different inhaler or additional treatment, like a precribed antihistamine or Montelukast or an additional inhaler. Treatment is stepped up until symptoms are controlled and this may take several reviews, but the time and effort will be worth it.
When prescribing, the doctor or nurse may forget to emphasise the need to come back to them if the medication doesn't work as expected and that there are other options that can be tried, if necessary. Ideally, a review should happen regardless of progress, but we know the system is under pressure and so we have to take the initiative to pursue reviews and treatment.
It sounds like you know your triggers and avoid them as much as possible. But if increased treatments don't control your symptoms you should be referred to a respiratory clinic at your hospital for specialised care, but you may have to ask for a referral if it's not offered.
perfume, tobacco smoke bleach etc,, cause me to cough, sometimes uncontrollably, it’s very EMBARRASSING as I know people probably think COViD. I always explain it’s my Asthma allergies, willing them to believe me.
I completed a course of antibiotics and steroids and seem to have improved somewhat. Mind u this always happens post treatment for chest infections, (I have about 3 weeks with symptom improvement)
The good times usually last about 3 weeks.
This puts thoughts into my mind, Am I allowing infections to become chronic before treatment?
The next time really uncontrolled coughing becomes frequent I will seek an appointment to see the doctor ASAP.
I’m not saying this is the cause of your coughing, but perhaps it’s worth considering the possibility.
We must have some underlying health issue with lungs. I’m definitely going to tell the doctor and Asthma nurse to have it on record, I will also ask for a sputum test.
I had same problem for years, was put on low dose of Escitalopram for long covid, and it has been amazing, reduced my sensitivity to most smells, now on a very low dose, and able to function normally, only use the bento lim when required.
firstly can you tell me what triggered your first asthma attack & how long you’ve had asthma, then what: medication you’ve been given to help you until now & have you had a full allergy test done on your forearm where they draw squares on the inside of your forearm & prick the skin with different things to see if your allergic to house dust, pollen, cats, airborne mould, etc & what was the most significant cause of your allergie if any
I’m 64. It came on after a bad cold 20 years ago! It took months of me coughing and going back to the docs for them to finally give me an asthma diagnosis.
I’ve never had any allergy tests ! The only inhalers I’ve ever tried are the brown steroid( can’t remember it’s name)
Currently on fostair 100/6 and the blue ventoline reliever .
I’ve asked to see a respiratory consultant without success.
I suggest you ask to be referred via your GP to a Asthma specialist as you should have had the allergie tests done on your skin to see what triggers your inflammation this has been going on far to long, you may have to stand your ground with the Doctor to get a referral but your legally entitled to ask for the referral, if you are using feather pillows throw them away as they produce spores as feathers age with saliva dripping into them whilst your sleeping, buy a hyper allergenic foam pillow & change your bedding weekly to remove house dust from Duvet covers & inhale vick vapour rub in hot water for 20 minutes to expel any mucus that may be lying on your bronchial tubes this could be triggering your coughing.
I've just seen this so a bit belated but pleasedon't advise people to use Vicks and steam for asthma - there's no evidence it helps the actual asthma (though can help some people with congestion) and it can actually trigger asthma for some people, as can inhaling steam. It doesn't sound like that's the case for Spadehandle as she mentions Vicks, but in general please avoid that kind of recommendation.
I'd also add that not all asthma triggers are allergens which can be detected with allergy skin or blood tests. It can be worth doing (though you can also get false negatives which are unhelpful). However, Spadehandle mentioned: cleaning product, perfume/scent, smells, flowers, air con and a cold/virus as triggers - none of those are allergies as such, but they are common asthma triggers. They set off asthma a different way - not all asthma is allergic or has allergic triggers.
Spadehandle, it does sound like your asthma might not be allergic but it does seem very twitchy - these triggers definitely aren't less serious or less of a problem because they're not allergic. Have you got anywhere with the GP? I agree with Poobah above, and it may also be worth ringing the asthma nurses: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp 07378 606 728 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm. Sorry this is a bit belated!
I would suggest you ask GP for blood test for basic allergens - they will test for house dust mite, a few types of pollen, cat, dog etc - basic panel, and if they come back positive maybe would refer you to an allergy specialist for the full testing? I got that basic blood testing twice but it came back negative for everything, so I have no official answer for what triggers my allergy/asthma symptoms, although I know from experience I'm triggered by smoke, exhaust fumes, chemicals/cleaning products, strong perfume, etc etc
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