struggling with violent coughing bouts but not feeling like i have a bad chest the rest of the time

[bexx]

I know its probably nothing but i'm getting very violent coughing bouts to the point where my head is spinning, its hard to get out of the coughing fit too. but in between my chest feels fine, so i don't really want to bother the doctors for no reason

[Hidden]

Hi there is obviously something wrong if you are suddenly coughing like this so see your doctor asap please.

My doctor once said to me it is far better to go when nothing is wrong than not to go when something could be. Don't take any chances with your lungs and treat them with kid gloves. Now tomorrow make that appointment and go! Ok? x

[bexx in reply to Hidden]

okay I will I'm not sure it's the weather affecting it or hay fever

[Nanny1086 in reply to Hidden]

On the ball as always coughalot ,,,,wise words ,

[Hidden in reply to Nanny1086]

Thank you Nanny. I only have a very small stock of wisdom about lungs but just keep rehashing it Bev x

[Stevebridge in reply to Hidden]

Can any of you get GP appointments at the drop of a hat? I can't. I live near Reading and the pressure on all of our services is intense.

[bexx in reply to Stevebridge]

i cant its at least a 2 week wait unless you phone for emergency appointment and even then you cant guarantee it will be the same day

[Hidden in reply to Stevebridge]

Same here but I can usually get one the same day if I'm prepared to ring continually for 20 minutes and don't mind who I see. x

[Louisiana in reply to Stevebridge]

Try telling them you will have to ring for an ambulance if you can't get an appt.....it does help.

[Hidden]

This lot of infections going round causing coughing fits .. If you have trouble breathing and are breathless to point of not being able to talk.

I would seek medical attension and I have done when happend to me .. this been few post about breathing and coughing fits SO can't be coincidence really.

[Stevebridge in reply to Hidden]

I was told, almost confidetially, by my GP that in order to break through the receptionist's triage when you try to get an appointment (which is virtually impossible) then say that you have breathing difficulties. " trumps everything" she said. Saying you have a troublesome cough isn't sufficient.

[Hidden in reply to Stevebridge]

Good one to remember Steve, Mind you I developed a very severe chest infection well after the time you are supposed to ring up for an appointment and I went up there on spec and told them about breathing problems and I had copd etc. The receptionists (both very young) just looked down their pert little noses at me and acted most put out when I said I didn't have an appointment.

They said relunctantly that I could wait for the emergency doctor but she was out and they didn't know how long she would be, I then told them that if I couldn't be seen I was going to go up the hospital to A and E and tell them I was refused a doctor! They then said 'Oh she's just come back in'. Yeah right...

I told the doctor and she said if I couldn't have been seen they would have called an ambulance for me. In a pigs eye I thought! x

[Caspiana]

Perhaps best to see your doctor Bexx. You may have an infection and those are pretty bad for us lungies. Please do take care of yourself. xx 💜🎶 Get well soon.

[Stevebridge in reply to Caspiana]

See my other comments re getting an appointment at the surgery

[Laddieday]

I too have violent coughing fits due to bronchiecstasis a complication of IPF when bronchi fill with mucus. I call my doctors and have cough medicine with codeine, nebulizer treatment and the goal is to minimize pain as I am a hospice patient.

[Stevebridge in reply to Laddieday]

Do you take steroids in any shape or form?

[katieoxo60]

Hello Bexx, hope you have been able to get an appointment with the GP . This weather is playing havoc with my cough too, have pains as well but as I have an appointment on Monday can be checked out then. Hope it is just hay-fever or the weather for you, take care and let us know how you get on.

[sassy59]

I agree with the others Bexx, better to go and see the doctor and get checked out. Good luck to you. xxxx

[Dragonmum]

Had the same thing so rang Doc yesterday - with the week-end coming up best to be on the safe side. He said that it sounded like infection so had a scrip for Amoxycillin; just as well - today I feel really "other-worldly" so started them. I'm never sure whether it's exacerbation or an infection and I think many of us have the same problem.

[Hidden in reply to Dragonmum]

Hi an exerbation is when your symptoms worsen and you start using your inhalers more. There are basically 2 types - when you have an infection and you cough up yellow or green gunk in which case your usually need ab's and maybe steroids too. The second type is when it is clear but your symptoms get worse. In that case if you need treatment than often only steroids or neededas there is no infection.

That's a general guide only, but those who don't have copd and have another lung disease or who are more severe, might need extra treatment ie a nebuliser or even hospitalisation.

Many nurses/doctors will give out rescue packs of ab's and steroids for use in an emergency or at holiday periods. If you haven't got one then ask. There is lots of info online about exacbations so have a look. You will get to know your own body in time and will be able to recognise when something is wrong.

The golden rule though is, as exacerbations left untreated, can cause more lung damage then it is better to be safe than sorry. x

[Stevebridge in reply to Dragonmum]

You can ring your doctor? Amazing. I can't ring text or email. I am always triaged by reception.

[Mooskie]

I went through the same thing for about 2 weeks! Then all of a sudden...gone!!!?????

I put it down to a virus ar allergy!