Coughing daily

[jeanielee]

Is the coughing and bringing up mucus on a daily basis something I'm going to have to get used to or is there ever a reprieve

[chrissie53]

Sadly for most copd sufferers i would say yes, but each one of us is different, I take mucodyne capsules which keeps me free most of the time, so ask your doctor about these if you are full of mucus, other people i,m sure will be along to tell you how they keep the mucus flowing out,,have you tried the huffing rather than the coughing,, if you ring the helpline they will help you,,click the red balloon for times,,breathe easy,,chrissie

[dall05]

Yep' this sounds like a normal day for me since falling ill. I find exercise gets the sputum moving and keeps the lungs as clear as possible. This makes a big difference to my breathing and stops my lungs from clogging up and picking up chest infections.

I would like to know where all this sputum comes from and why and the continuous tickle in the back of my throat isn't much fun either

There is some good come from it, were now in the BLF Healthunlockeders club.

Tony x

[2malinka in reply to dall05]

Hi Tony

I too have this annoying tickle at the back of my throat That I can handle but not the frightening coughing fits that follow. They do produce sputum but I can barely breathe when it happens. I've eliminated milk (well at least in porridge which I Have replaced with Soy) so I thought the coughing would ease up a bit but no such luck. I have severe COPD but still manage to work 4 days a week.

Al the best

Della

[RibvanRey]

Better out than not. I wish I could bring up some off the stuff that collects on my lungs. Even infections and antibiotics on top of my normal diet of Carbocisteine. So it stays in there growing more and more infections. Bronchiectasis is a wonderful complication to COPD. Hope you get something sorted soon with your GP to make life more tolerable. Rib

[jenss in reply to RibvanRey]

Hi RibvanRey and others,

there are several devices and methods available to help bring up mucous from lungs. Please see this discussion from just yesterday.

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

and also

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

[RibvanRey in reply to jenss]

Hi jenss. Thanks for the pointer to the obscure subject thread. I read and followed the Flutter details. I have a case review due later this month and will add this to the list of points to raise when the nurse visits. Cheers Rib

[Claudine in reply to RibvanRey]

It sounds like you could do with a good physio to advise on exercises that will help to bring up the mucus. Staying there and becoming infected should not be an option. Carbocisteine is supposed to thin the mucus in order to bring it up more easily - if that's not happening perhaps you need to increase the dose? Mine was changed from four a day to six a day when I told Consultant that I seemed to be working too hard to bring it up. It has made a difference. I have three 'coughing' sessions a day all producing different results. Also ask about the flutter! Good luck.

[jeanielee in reply to Claudine]

Hi Claudine I'm not actually on carbocistiene just salmeterol

But I do need to learn some techniques in how to bring it up thanks

[jeanielee]

Thanks everyone for your replies,I feel better already x

[frances21 in reply to jeanielee]

oh good! just a PS on the salt pipe. I'm new here, have mild COPD and am finding a combination of daily swimming and the salt pipe (I use it half an hour when watching tv each evening) is working wonders. It makes my nose run and shifts the mucus really well. I've taken myself off my meds altogether after just a week. Obviously we're all different and I'm lucky just to be mild, but I'm really grateful to have heard about the salt pipe from BTown on this site. As someone else said, best £29.99 I ever spent. I bought the Cisca one - lasts 5 years. x

[jeanielee in reply to frances21]

Thanks I have salt pipe but haven't really given it a fair trial,will now resolve to do so ,watch this space.

[jeanielee]

Ok another question ,I have a cold ,runny nose sore throat cough etc because I have copd am I supposed to go straight to docs or do I just treat it like anyone else ie paracetamol I seem to get one cold after another.

[barnowl1]

Hi jeanielee, unfortunately this is. Sign of COPD. However there are many things to help. If it is continual infection, I have found Azithromycin to be brilliant. Now no mucous so no coughing. Have a order with your G.P. They should be able yo subscribe something to help your particular needs. Good Luck barnowl

[jeanielee in reply to barnowl1]

Thanks barnowl I have heard of acithromycin all good need to ask doc I'm on salmeterol at the mo

[barnowl1]

Do you not have an emergency pack of antibiotics for when you get a chest infection? All COPD patients should have one. Not sure if it is chest infections you are getting, but get g.p. to check it out straight away . If it is he should give you antibiotics and an emergency pack for future infections as well as asking for sputum, to test what is the exact infection. Keep nagging and sure you will get a better service. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[jeanielee]

I have had 4 or 5 infections in as many months treated with antibiotics and steroids but no sputum test or emergency pack has been mentioned.ive had spirometry test and an X-ray which I really had to push for"