Cough

[Chalky2]

I wonder why some people with copd have a continual cough but others do not. I have had a cough for three years and told by the nurse it is part of copd it gets me down but I can’t get rid of it so I have to put up with it. Any response will be appreciated. Pauline

[Bella395]

Is your cough dry or productive?

[Chalky2 in reply to Bella395]

Hi Bella yes it is productive I have got to have surgery on my eye in a couple of months time and worried to death about the cough while having it done Pauline

[Karenblue in reply to Chalky2]

I had cataracts done so frustrating with breathing but they looked after me n all was well

[Chalky2 in reply to Karenblue]

Thank you hope it goes ok for me too Pauline

[Bella395 in reply to Chalky2]

That’s useful to know. COPD is an umbrella term for lung disease so is not always useful. Do you have emphysema or bronchitis? Some people with the former tend not to cough unless they have an infection. Bronchitis sufferers often experience cough. Many people who have Bronchiectasis cough a great deal because the sputum collects in the airways. Asthmatics often cough because it is inflammatory and causes mucous production.

If you don’t have a proper diagnosis and a respiratory consultant it might be helpful to ask for this. Bronchiectasis causes persistent cough but can only be diagnosed with a CT scan. It is perhaps under diagnosed so if you want to have tests you might need to ask for it.

Infection can cause cough so if you want to follow this up you will need to take a sputum sample into the surgery for testing.

Whatever you decide to do, work on clearing your lungs properly and the cough should lessen. Lots of information on here and the Internet about mucous clearance. Active Cycle Breathing is usually the first thing to try.

[Chalky2 in reply to Bella395]

Hi Bella I was just diagnosed with copd 9yrs ago that’s all I know I have taken a sputum sample to the copd nurse I am waiting for a result I also had an x ray and the nurse said it just shows you have copd and nothing sinister my breathing has become worse and the nurse said it can be heart trouble so I have had an ecg and a blood test got to go back on Thursday for results thank you Pauline

[Bella395 in reply to Chalky2]

Sounds like it is time for you to consider whether a referral to a respiratory consultant would be appropriate. At least you will get a proper diagnosis.

[2greys]

I believe the answer is that there are two conditions under the umbrella term COPD Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, you can have one or the other or more commonly, both in varying degrees. It is probably Chronic Bronchitis that is the culprit for a constant productive cough. I have almost pure Emphysema and do not normally cough at all, it's only when I have an infection or inflammation that I have a cough. Normally I do produce a little mucus, which healthy people do as well, that is easy to clear from my throat with a little quiet growl and then swallow it.

Whether I am lucky or not is probably debatable, Emphysema does progress faster than Chronic Bronchitis, but I probably do have a better quality of life as a result, I am happy with that though.

[Chalky2 in reply to 2greys]

Thank you two greys a great help at least I know now Pauline

[Izb1]

Hi Chalky2, I have bronchiectasis and have a permanent productive cough, it drives me crazy and must admit spoiling my life. The doctor says she cant give me anything for it, just clear the mucus, but that goes on all day. I am hoping after my sinus op this will clear. Dont worry about your op, just tell them before hand of your problem and can they give you anything to calm it whilst having this done, oerhaos your gp can help x

[Chalky2 in reply to Izb1]

Izb1 im wondering if I have the same as you as we both seem to be the same but I was diagnosed 9 years ago with copd and the cough arrived 3 years ago and has stayed with me unfortunately and I cough all day like you I will ask at the hospital about my cough when I have my eye done thank you you’ve been a great help Pauline

[Izb1 in reply to Chalky2]

I was treated for asthma for years, I knew it wasnt asthma as none of the inhalers worked and I never had an asthma attack. It wasnt until I had a new doctor and she sent me for a scan that I found it was bronchiectasis. I would ask your gp before your op she may give you a quick course of steroids or ab which will help with your coughing whilst you get your eye done. Good luck x

[Chalky2 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you will do I really appreciate all the help I have had from all of you means a lot to me Pauline

[Izb1 in reply to Chalky2]

😁😁😁😁

[Help_61]

I don’t have a cough and hardly ever bring up mucus but it’s turned out to be not so good to not bring up mucus

[Hidden]

I have a cough I have bronchiectasis and asthma diagnosed by a ct scan. I must admit that it drives me mad at times when I have a chest infection. Inhalers help a lot. Majt

[Chalky2 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I can understand what you mean mine drives me bonkers all the time Pauline

[Hidden in reply to Chalky2]

I had a constant cough at one time and there was nothing the GP prescribed helped. He decided to send me to a respiratory clinic and he diagnosed asthma and bronchiectasis he prescribed me with different inhalers sybicort was one and it helped me a lot with my coughing. I still use this inhaler.would not want to be without it. Majt wishing you well.

[Chalky2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Majt hope your cough stays away xxx

[Hidden in reply to Chalky2]

Hope you will get something that will help you. Xx

[hallentine47]

I was diagnosed COPD/Emphysema about 12 years ago and I was always coughing. It has been a long journey since during which I have persistently coughed and finally ended up in ICU with pneumonia 3 years ago. Since then I have rarely coughed. I have been on 3 Pulmonary Rehab courses where we are told that the last thing to do is cough because it causes scarring and more damage to us. There are many different ways of bringing up mucus. If I start to cough again as I once did I would not let it rest until I had help and treatment from the GP or consultant or respiratory nurses. If you do not smoke then there is no good reason you should be coughing in my humble opinion.

[Chalky2 in reply to hallentine47]

Hi hallentine 47 no I do not smoke haven’t done for 20 years. I have tried to get help to get rid of my cough but told it gets rid of the mucus and if I didn’t cough it would just lie in my lungs and make things worse so I am at a loss what to believe. I was diagnosed with copd 9 years ago and had this cough for 3 years. Pauline

[hallentine47]

Again I think this is something that would be addressed while on Pulmonary Rehab. There are several breathing exercises many on YouTube to help you remove the mucus. In the past I have detached ribs and pulled muscles all of which was painful due to coughing. I used olbas oil and basins full of hot water to breathe over and sat up most nights and it went on for a couple of years with little help or guidance from the medics. May of them are very poorly informed when it comes to our condition and my GP often says I know more than he does and asks me what I think we ought to do?? Crazy but true. Either way I imagine you would like to stop coughing so explore these alternatives and best of luck.

[Chalky2 in reply to hallentine47]

Yes I will try thank you. Pauline