Desperate help needed for coughing

[Pipsqueak102]

Hi all i have been diagnosed with bronchectasis last Autumn after years of so called it's nasal drip !!!! .The last 4 days are hell yes i bring the gunk up and yes i have the brown puffer twice a day and blue as and when needed. What I'm desperate for help is this coughing with it so so tired and ribs and head are in agony i cough all day and night with maybe a break of 15 mins when it eases but soon returns it's unberable. Does anybody know of some tips to ease my bronchiectasis coughing.

[Cateran]

Your coughing sounds pure hell Pipsqueak. Can I recommend that you order on-line from both the BLF pamphlet: Living with bronchiectasis; also the same title: Living with BRONCHIECTASIS published by Chest, Heart and Stroke, Scotland? They are both free and p.30 of the CHSS pamphlet is about coughing and what measures you can take to lessen and control your coughing. We sufferers all cough, and some say that it's good to cough so that you don't keep the gunk festering in your airways. Basically what you need to develop are airways clearance techniques to cope with persistent coughing, and referral to a physio is a must. Do link up with your nearest lung consultant through your GP asap. I am sure that many others in this forum will give you good advice, so stay tuned. We stick together here so welcome Pipsqueak102!

Terry

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to Cateran]

Hi TERRY, yes i am a little lost about coping with this condition so i think this morning in the early hours whilst having this coughing fit it was a blessing to find this site .looking forward to helping others if i can. Best Wishes Steve in West Wales.

[Pentreath Volunteer]

Hi Pipsqueak - sorry to hear about the nasty exacerbation. If you have not already seen your GP you need to get there asap to check if you should be taking antibiotics/steroids as you may have an infection on the go. On the non medical front I have found that inhaling steam (very hot water - not boiling - in bowl, towel over head, breath in gently but long helps me. Honey and lemon in warm water also helps -just sip it rather than downing it in one go. Hope you feel better soon.

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to Pentreath]

Thanks will try ur advice and hope it eases. Best Wishes Steve.

[Shancock]

Do you see a physio as I understand they teach you techniques to help bring the mucus up with a variety of breathing exercises. The GP won't be able to do this so it's vital to see a good respiratory specialist who can help.

There is a device called an Acapella that you can breathe into and that helps you clear your lungs. I thought I hadn't this but turns out I haven't but was told about this device and that it's very good.

Definitely insist on seeing the right people though as you shouldn't be left coughing like this.

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to Shancock]

Thanks i am hoping to see a physio but g.p. says there is a waiting list . Thanks Steve

[wheezyof]

I agree with the posts above. BLF booklet about Bronchiectasis is very infomative. Lemon and honey help to ease the cough. Diluted fruit juice, especially pineapple, sipped help too. You can suck throat sweets and pastilles too. If you get offered pulmonary rehab please say yes. It really is helpful. You will learn a lot of really good ways to strengthen your body and improve mucus clearing. Going back to your GP for help is a must.

Ring BFL helpline to find a Breathe Easy group in your area. There you will find a friendly group of people who can and will help you.

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to wheezyof]

Wow so much help from all of you so quickly only wish i had joined months ago. Steve.

[Fionafish]

I read thyme tea is meant to help so have been trying that for the last few weeks. I just seep the thyme for about five minutes and drink it neat - it is not too disgusting though not great with food - good luck.

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to Fionafish]

Sounds a challenge but hey anything i hear of that could work i will try. Steve.

[mrsmummy]

Bronchiectasis leaflets available from BLF:

blf.org.uk/search/site/Bron...

[Pipsqueak102 in reply to mrsmummy]

YOU ALL have made me feel so welcome i am told by hospital that they do not know where this came from until i mentioned i had been a Fireman for 20 yrs and of course i was exposed to smoke in various conditions garages, shops, old cars and sometimes would tackle fire from outside but still inhaling plumes of smoke. The consultant did not give me 100% blame that this was why my lungs are know 90 yrs old and i am actually 62 !!!! Best Wishes Steve.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Steve and a very warm welcome to you, although I a sorry for the reason.

Oh my pet hate giving spirometry results by age Grrrr! What purpose that serves I just do not know. Ask for them to give the results of FEV predictive. This will give a % of a person of your age, sex and height.

As you have had a ct scan, I am assuming you already have a consultant. I would just say it is very important and can make a huge difference in the management of your condition if you have a respiratory consultant with a special interest in cf/bronchiectasis. You can check your con out online or we may know of one close to a city you have access to, although we are not allowed to name them online, but would pm.

Coughing mucus is part and parcel of having bronchiectasis, but I am surprised you consultant hasn’t arranged for you to see a respiratory physio. S/he would teach you lung clearance techniques and show you PEP gadgets to find which is most suited to you, so that you can then do physio at home. You will find if you have time set aside to clear your lungs yourself you will hopefully not cough so much at inappropriate times or at night. This is the most important thing we can do for ourselves as if the mucus pools, it is a breeding ground for infection. (Better out than in as they say).

Con would frequently refer to an immunologist and arrange for a cf sweat test for illimination. Con should also arrange a plan of action for treatment for your medication.

The latest bronchiectasis information is from the European Respiratory Society, which as a patient I had a little hand in. It has basic information and it also has videos of PEPs and videos of clinicians for clinicians.

europeanlunginfo.org/bronch...

Dip in and out as there is a lot to take in.

If you have any specific queries please don’t hesitate to ask, there will always be someone around to help.

Cx

[jolaine75]

Hi

I also have Bronchectasis and of course this gets troublesome every so often amongst the usual antibiotics and sometimes high dose of steroids for a few days I was also supplied Carbersisteine for the Catarah it does help

[Maximonkey]

Hi Pipsqueak102, I agree with everyone else about the coughing, however, with regard to the nasal drip. Have you been diagnosed by an ENT doctor as having nasal drip? if you have you should be taking antihistamine tabs and using a nasal spray these will control the drip. If you haven't had this diagnosis I would see your GP and ask him/her about a referral. I am so sorry for you, I have had nasal drip problems since childhood and it really is awful, however the right meds do help. Good luck and take care. Maximonkey

[lovableme in reply to Maximonkey]

Hi I have post nasel drip which is horrible im on nasel steriods which have been A massive help to me im waiting to go in for op to help me symptoms are horrific but thanks to steriods I aslo have c.o.p.d and surgeon has put this condition down to chronic sinusitis due to alpha one antitripsin defienceny I agree with you get a referal to e.n.t a.s.a.p xx

[Jenlet]

lozenges, honey with lemon and breath in the vapour of hot water with a dash of vick or balsam mainly see the GP and BLF pamphlets. Good luck and keep smiling

Dan

[watergazer]

Hi pipsqueak. I too suffer with awful bouts of coughing from time to time. Was told my chest was clear after x rays being taken so off you go said the doctor. I wish these doctors who say that suffered the soreness the sleeplessness and the lack of bladder control as well as the moans from family ! Anyways I resorted to honey and lemon in hot water and found it helped if I sipped it. I drank peppermint and liquorice tea too. It may help.

[Nitap]

Hi Pipsqueak102 I know just how you feel with The Coughing. It is horrendous isn’t it !! I have had this several times now and this episode has been at least 8 weeks, day after day and night times are dreadful I do not know what a good nights sleep is and I also have shares in Tena ladies 😓😥😳 too !! I am on long term abs Mon/Wed/Fri which has stopped all the chest infections etc. But my sinus drip is horrible, I am sick bring up lots of soliva not mucous I hack away like a dog with rib pain and headache due to coughing - I am on Oxygen 24/7, My GP has tried me on everything she can but won’t go away- I am seeing a new Consultant next week hooray.

If anyone or everyone maybe has any solutions it would so helpful thank you xxx