I have mild COPD diagnosed only about 3 months ago, but have had cough for 4 years. I asked my doctor to refer me to see a consultant at the hospital in the hope I would get a CT scan, see what's really going on. Two weeks before my appointment with consultant I came down with a nasty virus, high temperature, flu like symptoms, cough was even more horrendous, I was in bed for 3 days feeling so ill. When the virus started to subside, so did my cough, so much so that it disappeared altogether, I was so happy, miracle I thought!! I kept my appointment with the consultant who said my chest was clear and if cough came back to get in touch with my doctor again, well I didn't cough at all for a whole month, nothing!! but now it is slowly creeping back, but is nowhere near as bad as it was before the virus, YET!
any thoughts from my copd friends?
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lucyannie
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I had four weeks of being cough free ... Like you said it seemed to be a miracle ... No wheeze nothing but this was after a course of IV and oral ABs at the beginning of December. But the cough and wheeze have reappeared even with another course of Doxcycline ....so annoying. I had flu like symptoms too.
I am not 100% sure what I have at the moment starting on the tests on the 21st. I have had lung problems for many years, paralysed diaphragm, empymena, Restrictive Lung Disease/COPD, fibrosis along with a heart condition which does not help.
I have had a silly cough for years that pops up for no reason and I do not see a trigger point as it just pops in. My o2 is up and down on an hourly basis? This last week I have felt wasted not sure if there is a bug going about?
Hi lucyannie, I have been diagnosed with IPF and had a persistant cough for years before this. I did see a specialist years ago but he didn't find anything. I would cough for months and then it would stop for a few months and then start again for no reason. I don't know about COPD sufferers but with IPF a cough seems part of the disease. I hope you go on OK and that you have a good consultant and GP to help you. Popplewell
Hi lucyannie, are you sure the cough went altogether? I have COPD diagnosed and my cough is constantly there in the background but with viruses, infections and colds it just becomes more obvious then dies down again as the infection goes away. Triggers like heavy exercise bring the cough to the fore also, having said that we are all different even those with COPD but as you see that cough is on it's way back so there must be something underlying. It could be a sign of another infection but hope not for your sake.
I have no idea I have had my cough for about 2 years and have copd still waiting to see the consultant he canx his clinic when I was due to go, the nurse at my doctors has given me a pump with steroids in which I honestly haven't used very much and today read that I shouldn't be using it anyway, I use my Sprivia has anybody else been given a pump ?? Lets hope your cough doesn't come back as bad it drives me nuts my cough reminds me of what I have so I am constantly thinking about it.
Perhaps, you ought to ask your GP to refer you to a pulmonary nurse. Nurses are down to earth and experienced following peple with their cough, splutter and all. she wudl adivse you on this. Also, if your cough develops "full time", try the ACBT, Active Cycle of Breathing Technique. This should enable you to cough up. This way you could collect the sputum and have it analysed.
ACBT is always good to clear excess mucus.Se this video:
hi lucyannie l have severer c.o.p.d and l to have a cough and had it for years now infact lve had it that long l almost forgot about it and l had tests done and all they say is its a persistant cough so it would be intresting to learn what they tell you good luck xxx
Good news about yr clean bill of health, I was diagnosed with mild copd three months ago after a routine chest x ray, funny thing is I've just got the results of my spirometry test, shows no breathing obstruction test came back absolutely fine, so I've given up smoking and hoping the little damage I have caused will be arrested.
Hi Daza70, that's really interesting! well done for giving up smoking too, that's the best thing you can do. did your doctor ever treat you with inhalers or anything?
Was never treated with inhalers no, my spirometry results came back normal. No airway obstruction, so the damage I have caused is very minimal, so I'm a very lucky guy to say the least
My gp sent me for a routine chest x ray as I was worried about my mild breathlessness, the x ray confirmed that I had mild copd, gave up smoking and then had a spirometry test with the nurse. Had results come back, said I had no restriction in my lungs and that I have nothing to worry about as results are normal for a guy my weight height and age. I have taken so many steps towards a healthier lifestyle, eat healthy, take supplements and do plenty of exercise to.
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