Chronic cough and shortness of breath for 8 months

[Bellaflower]

I’m 29 and I have had a chronic cough which produces loads of phlegm all day everyday and shortness of breath for 8 months now and I’m absolutely sick of it, it’s ruining my life and the drs just won’t do anything to help me. I do have asthma but it’s never been anything like this before. Every time I visit the dr they just do my peak flow and stick one of those oxygen things on my finger and tell me it’s fine and then that’s it. How can they think it’s ok to live like this? It can’t be normal to just suffer and struggle to breathe every day. I went to a private dr who said he’d refer me to a specialist but it would be a 2 year wait for NHS and I won’t be able to afford to see one privately. What can I do now I really don’t know

[Patsy164]

Hi Bellaflower I'm sorry to hear about your breathing troubles and phlegm. That does seem a long time for an appointment but I would have said ok put me forward and hope that you get an appointment sooner. Being on a waiting list is better than doing nothing. Is it in a main town the hospital or a local hospital? You could always opt for a local one and then be referred at a later date to a major one, if they will.

You haven't said if they have given you X-rays or what medication you are taking, or if you have had a sputum test. Maybe go back to your gp and ask to be put on the waiting list. Let us know how you get on. X 😊

[knitter]

Hi, I have lost count of the times that a health professional has said to me that my O2 level was fine even when I am struggling to breathe.

Has your sputum been tested, or an X-ray organised , or your medication reviewed .

Please ask for a NHS referral , waiting times may be less than two years....that seems very long to me. Check with your GP .

The BLF have a helpline on 03000 030 555.

[Hidden]

I think you should ask for a CT scan as it is possible that you MIGHT have Bronchiectasis, and only a CT scan will prove (or disprove) this. If I'm right, they will HAVE to refer you to a respiritory consultant. Take a look at this info on the BLF website and see whatyou think. XX

[Hidden]

Your GP is way out of their depth with you and you have to take control of the situation. Chronic asthma can often result in bronchiectasis. GPs are not sufficiently trained to recognise this and know nothing about bronchiectasis. You need to see a bronch specialist asap for xrays, ct scan and proper diagnosis and future management of your problem befir further damage is caused to your lungs. Look for a bronch specialist on the internet. They are usually at big teaching hospitals. Take the name to yoyr GP and insist on a referral. Do Not take no for an answer. The specialist will then tell your GP how to treat you and you should also form a relationship with the spec and the people in their clinic.It is ridiculous to tell you 2 years for a referral. As a lifelong bronch I can tell you that we have to be really pro active in our own interests and vociferous in sourcing the correct support, treatment and management. I recently gave this advice to a member who is niw seeing a goid bronch con and cannot believe the difference.Good Luck

[DanceQueen]

SAME STORY AS ME IM NO HELP BUT DO SYMPATHISE

[gingermusic]

It really sounds to me as though you have Bronchiectasis which is easily found on a CT Scan, Ask your DR if he thinks you could possibly have that. Failing that you can find a specialist for Bronchiectasis at your local hospital and try to make an appointment direct. I wish you well

[BrittanyMomma1]

Hey! Look up The Lung Center Of America. Your symptoms safe exactly like mine. It’s one or two infections called mycoplasma PneumoniaE and Chlamydia Pneumoniae. Read about them. Call that place to ask questions. This doctor there recognizes these infections causing these symptoms and he treats them.

[Graham07allen]

Hi there. This has been a great help. I have asked my doctor a number of times for antibiotics and she keeps saying they won't work. I ordered some online and I'm on my 4th day and its working great, I have 3 days left of my course. Don't know why they have cracked down on antibiotics so much. Many thanks