Constant Cough&Wheezing

[Bodyp]

Thank you for accepting me in Group. I developed a Cough beginning Oct which lead to a very tight&wheezy chest. Dr gave me Antib's didnt help at all. Cut story short 8 Couses of Antib's with x6 Steroids of 40mg daily (last Ant'b's x2 wks Steroids 10days). Gets looser&managable when.on Tabs but returns with vengance with no Tabs. Got inhalers dont touch it. Landed in A&E twice to be given Steroids again. Had Scan await results, fear I'll never be better. Cant do much at all, very debilitating. Thank you for any advice

[RKC123]

Sounds like where I was 3 years ago..Keep trying new meds, eventually one will work. Have you been offered Biologics at all yet?

[Bodyp in reply to RKC123]

Hi RKC123,Thank you for reply. Do you mean Blood Tests? They came back ok. X2 Xrays showed patch on left lung before Xmas, Hosp querying COPD which Mother had, hope its not that. Have hadBronchitis in past. Just want to stop coughing&wheezing&be able to at least walk a bit. I used to go gym most days, cant even think of that now. Scan was with dye, so see what outcome is. Thanks again

[RKC123 in reply to Bodyp]

Eosinophilic Ashma can be mistaken as COPD. Have you been to any private clinics to get it diagnosed properly? If not I would, as NHS sent me round in circles and was getting no where.

[Bodyp in reply to RKC123]

Thank you, I will look into that! Im still chasing Scan to be read, its a constant battle. Yes I will pay, just want answers. Did you go to a Clinic that specializes in Breathing? Thanks again for your help.

[peege in reply to Bodyp]

He means biological medications that people with severe issues are offered........they'd be a long long way down the line for you, you need a diagnosis first. You may have uncontrolled asthma (NB I'm not a doctor, just making a suggestion) so the right inhalers will help. There is a helpline, number above with a respiratory professional for guidance

[Bodyp in reply to peege]

Thank you, I couldnt see the number though.

[Patk1 in reply to Bodyp]

0300 222 5800

[Mickeyboy2020 in reply to peege]

hi you’d certainly qualify for a biologic with the amount of steroids you’ve been taking, also the amount of exacerbations .

(Think that’s correct word )

Just need a blood test ( which I’m sure you’ve had )

If I were you I’d put a request in to be seen by the Royal Brompton for a second opinion that’s what my doctor did as the hospital I was under didn’t have a clue what was going on.

I’ve been on Tezsipire ( t,:esipelumab)

[Mickeyboy2020 in reply to Mickeyboy2020]

for a good year now and it’s been excellent ( touch wood)

I’ve been diagnosed with severe esonaphilic asthma

Just a slight phlegmy cough at the moment but other than that all seem ok

Brompton will sort you out they are the best of the best

I’d insist to be sent there

All the best Mike

[Bodyp in reply to Mickeyboy2020]

Just lbeen given Symbicort to try &seeking privately as feel so ill. Thank you again

[Mickeyboy2020 in reply to Bodyp]

shouldn’t have to go private

[Bodyp in reply to Mickeyboy2020]

They cant even find me a Respiratory Dr at the hosp. Gp was on phone for over half hr trying to sort. So easier to pay. Im so fed up needs sorting now.

[peege]

I felt just like that some years ago, I thought my life as I'd known it was over. In the UK it seems to take a while to get a diagnosis and then the correct medication for you to control/ manage which ever condition you're diagnosed with. It great that you've had a scan, a very helpful move at last. Hang on in there until result/s are through and learn as much as you can , breathing exercises can help, demonstrations on youtube. Good luck. P

[Bodyp in reply to peege]

Peege,

Thank you for your help, I will look into it. Ive chased results today, so fingers crossed. Its just the constant cough that is never relieved, if you get me. Thanks again.

[peege in reply to Bodyp]

I understand, I was exactly where you are some years ago. Took 3 years of constant chronic infections, 5 x pneumonia & endless courses of antibiotics before I got a hospital referral to investigate for bronchiectasis and aspergillosis. Turned out to have uncontrolled asthma (how could that be with having regular visits to GP and annual asthma reviews grrrr) with the new addition of Small Airways Disease. All the best

[Bodyp in reply to peege]

Oh Dear, sorry to hear that! Thank you again, this Group is so helpful.

[Homely2 Administrator]

As peege suggested well worth having a chat with asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, office hours.

The medics on the helpline will help you work out what you need to be asking the doctors for

A year and a half ago my asthma went badly out of control for nine months or so, and it is a bit of a slog getting the diagnosis sorted and it can take a while to get the correct treatment. The key is to know what the doctors should be doing, you then know what to ask for, the asthma UK helpline is brilliant for that.

[Bodyp in reply to Homely2]

Thank you also Homely 2 I will definitely do this. Cant thank you all enough. Ive never ever suffered like this before. Yes Chest Infections&wheezing but always gone for a while then encountered again some mths later. This is Constant with no let us, only easier on Steroids really, however the dose is too high to take all the time. Thanks again

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to Bodyp]

I have always been lucky in having a good GP Asthma nurse, who when out of her depth, will refer me to the correct person.

[Gwalltarian]

I had a really bad , productive cough following a few days of flu like illness in September, it was covid and the cough lasted for six weeks or so. Perhaps the antibiotics you’ve had weren’t effective - A sputum test could identify which antibiotic works. If you’ve had covid it could be long covid effects.

I find that acid reflux causes asthmatic symptoms and coughing - if you haven’t noticed indigestion/heartburn at all there is something called silent reflux. If you google it you’ll learn about symptoms and remedies - smaller meals , cutting out some foods and drinks, not eating a few hours before bedtime, lie on your left and raise the bed head with 6 inch wooden blocks. You could ask your doctor if he/she thinks a short course of a ppi might help - you can buy some over the counter, if you try them and found any improvement tell your GP .

Otherwise there are add ons such as montelukast and antihistamines to counter allergies. Then other inhalers such as spiriva. Some people take a cocktail of medication.

Trying to avoid any and all triggers is fundamental.

[Bodyp in reply to Gwalltarian]

Thank you I'm paying to see Consultant later this evening keep you posted

[Keem59]

Hi Bodyp.

Did you have an infection and do you have a respiratory consultant? It's not pleasant at all, is it? Hope your scan gives you some answers. I have asthma/bronchiectasis/eosinophilic asthma which caused a lot of coughing, until my consultant put me on a Biologic injection because of high eosinophils which caused inflammation in the lungs...I was on bi monthly steroids then monthly...this injection has stopped the cough and given me a new lease of life. You may have the same?

[Spikedog66]

Sounds like pneumonia with a patch on lung. This can take months to recover. I presume a sputum sample was taken to see which antibiotics are required. I had bilateral pneumonia more than 10 years ago was absent from work over three months and took nearly a year to pick up. I have asthma. Hopefully you'll get sorted but it does take tume.

[Bodyp in reply to Spikedog66]

Wasnt really coughing much up, altbough bit more now. Paying to see Respiratory so see what transpires thank you so much

[Itswonderful]

hi. So sorry you are feeling so awful. Has GP ordered a sputum test to find out exactly what infection you have? If not request one. Pick up the form and specimen pot from GP and return once you have the sample in it.

[Bodyp]

Thank you, ununfortunately not coughing much up