Cough

[Looseloafers]

Hi All. Hope you are all coping 👌 ok. I have copd&ipf am coping more or less ok at the moment but now and again I have a coughing fit where I cough so much I can’t breathe in. Very scary! Does anyone have any tips to stop the cough please. Cheers Sue

[wheezyof]

Hello,

Have a word with your doctor. Some of the new inhalers work on the nerves that control the coughing reflex, somehow. It's a bit technical for me. They don't stop you coughing but seem to stop so many long, uncontrolled fits of coughing.

Also practice placement relaxation. Sounds a bit airy fairy but it works.

When you get a moment here and there : sit comfortably. Close your eyes, think of a safe place. Real or imaginary. Could be your favourite park, in the shade and quiet or floating on a cloud pulled by rainbow unicorns. It's your place, nobody knows. Carry on thinking of it and practice gentle deep, belly breaths in and long slow pursed lips blowing out. (Imagine blowing a candle to move the flame not blow it out)

As you relax your breathing gets a bit shallower and easier. Do this often and then even when you have a coughing spasm a quick think of your place can help you relax. Of course it can't stop the cough, but it helps the very scary feeling.

Wishing you well xx

[Ergendl in reply to wheezyof]

Love the image of floating on a cloud pulled by rainbow unicorns.

[Izb1]

I always have a fishermans friend to hand and find it helps to stop the coughing. Or you could try breathing in menthol crystals, they help to clear your sinus's and lungs. The problem with these coughing fits is once they start you cant control them and then you panic which makes everything worse. Try to make sure you clear your lungs everyday and get rid of the gunk that makes you cough. My poor Mum used to have terrible bouts of coughing. Hope this helps a little x

[Hacienda]

I have Soothers always in My Bag, They do help. I also have Polo Mints (without sugar) they help me to Breathe especially when I'm Driving. xxx

[Ergendl]

While it won't stop the cough, learning to sing properly will help you control the muscles involved in coughing. The BLF website has a list of singing for lung health groups, and there are videos on You Tube demonstrating diaphragmatic breathing. All the best.

[Gazza01]

Hi I had this quite bad for a while it started when I was using a peak flow meter too often. Then got worse when I went onto spiriva.

I also had terrible trouble sometimes when eating dry flaky type foods.

First thing to do is make sure you have glass of water at the ready when using inhalers at home.

Have a sip before inhaling and a good few between puffs and again when finished. Always use a spacer where possible too.

For now though, just to get your throat to calm down a bit, ice cold drinks sipped slowly and held in the throat, you'll know when it's in the right spot.

I bought some flavoured ice poles from the corner shop, they worked a treat.

Good luck.