Feeling ticked off

[Dream1]

Hi All....I’m still fairly new to this but over the last month what I thought was hay fever morphed into a cold. I have Bronchiectasis, diagnosed a year ago, and colds now linger for weeks. I started wheezing and panicked it was a chest infection but GP said it was viral and to keep an eye on it. He prescribed a ventolin inhaler and emergency antibiotics just in case. I haven’t needed to take the antibiotics but I’ve now lost my voice for the second time this year, which has never happened to me before. I’m not in pain but I am coughing, it’s really bad at bed time (typical!). I don’t know why I’m suddenly losing my voice. The coughing gets me down. I can’t play with my kids the way I’d love to play with them. I just feel so peed off. Sorry for the rant. I hope you’re all sleeping soundly.

[Grayjay]

Hi Dream1,

Sorry that you're in such a state.

First, the voice loss.

Try gargling after taking your inhaler.

Coughing at bedtime.

I found taking Co-Codamol tablets control it for me. I was given some in A&E after having a bad bout one night. The only side effect is constipation unfortunately. So Sennacot to cure that.

Also take a dose of cough syrup before settling down.

Other things that I take are Antihistemine 1 a day with Loratadine. Throat lozenges such as Potters. It's all trial and error for you so good luck.

[Ergendl]

Grayjay has given some great tips. Hope you feel better soon, Dream1.

[Stanjory]

Hi there

Sounds awful. To add to Grayjay’s great suggestions try a hand held steam inhaler with just boiling water and inhale with your mouth open. Just feels like it adds some moisture to your throat. Hot cups of tea work for me too. (Got my steam inhaler online from beta ware)

[Patchpoppy2]

It's worth trying to gargle, drink some water, but best thing I found was using a spacer, instead of being ventolin residue stuck in throat, which can cause hoarseness, the spacer directs straight into system with no nasty residue. Ask gp if you can have one, explain the hoarseness. It certainly helped me. Give it a try Dream1

[wheezyof]

Hello Dream,

No need to say sorry for your rant, we are hear to listen and hopefully help.

I agree with all of the above advice. I keep a supply of throat sweets handy for respite from exhausting coughing sessions. Sucking a little honey of the spoon can be soothing when you lose your voice.

If you are no better in a few days go back to the doctor.

I'm hoping my answer is too late because you are already feeling better. xxx

[carolg1]

Make sure it’s not reflux your having it’s ringing familiar bells with me please don’t accept and ignore it believe me mine was ignored and my gullet is in a proper mess and causes me so much trouble just mention to gp that could it possibly be reflux x

[Dream1]

Hi all....thank you for your replies and support and sorry for the delay in acknowledging! I’ve actually been away with no WiFi - it’s been great!

I’m still husky but my voice is definitely stronger. Was thinking of going back to the GP as it can’t be right to be like this for a week. I’ve been wondering is it’s my Braltus inhaler - maybe a side effect? I haven’t used the ventolin inhaler since mid last week as i find it does nothing anyway but had to start emergency supply of antibiotics Saturday as the wheezing and phlegm was getting worse. No wheezing for two days now! Winning! Just want my normal voice back.