cough: I have COPD and bronchitis i'm... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,314 members66,939 posts

cough

DanceQueen profile image
49 Replies

I have COPD and bronchitis i'm breathless and have a cough

my question is once the cough starts i can't stop it just goes on and on i can draw a full breath in and it can continue for hours on end sometimes virtually all day....

i bring up small amounts of sticky mucous and think great thats it cleared but it just carries on

then other days i hardly cough at all

it tires me out and causes my breathlessness to be worse

so

has any one any tips to help me please

Written by
DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
49 Replies

So strange I don’t cough barely at all if I’m on opiates. Vicodin, but as soon as I go off it's like my body has an allergy reaction to not taking it. Thoughts?

soppysokes profile image
soppysokes in reply to

it’s likely because the opiates will supress the cough. This can be good but can also allow build up of mucus in lung which can cause problems!

Dilly2 profile image
Dilly2

Hi DanceQueen. I sympathize with you my cough is so much better since when I take my inhalers first thing in the morning straight after I have my breakfast or you can eat a plain biscuit was told by the nurse that would take any residue from the inhalers from the back of the throat you should make sure you also gargle as it says on your inhalers..

Do you take càrbocisteine capsules to loosen your mucus.

Also learn the huff and puff method hope this helps

Best of luck

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply toDilly2

Dilly is tite learn the huff cough method ,also when I was suffering like you found it was the inhailer I was using ,when it was changed my coughing stopped, only cough normal now with this complaint

in reply toAlice70

Hi Alice. I'm having the same problem with cough. What inhalor did they move you on to. Hope you dont mind me asking x Maz

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to

Hi max, it is a couple of years ago now ,I think the one that made me cough was called clinil ,iwas put on fostair after that,I was fine on fostair,of late I've been put on trimbow ,it is like fostair only it is supposed to be better for breathing ,I'm ok on it ,there was also another one that was related to clinil that made me cough to ,I carnt think of the name of that one,remember maz what suits one may not another

in reply toAlice70

Thanks Aluce. Just trying to get as much info as possible. I read that for people with copd you can get pneumonia by using inhaled steroids and I'm a bit worried about that. Going to try and get blf in monday and ask them some questions. Just thought I would ask here first xxMaz

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to

Good idea maz

garshe profile image
garshe in reply to

Hi Maz.careful with Fostair as you know what happened to me . Hope you are well.xx

Sheila.

in reply togarshe

I have remembered about what happened to youShiela. That's why I'm asking questions. Hope your safe and ok xxx Maz

garshe profile image
garshe in reply to

Hi Maz. I am really well thanks. Positive the Olbas Oil in my Humidifier has sorted my mucas thank goodness. Back to normal now , took a few weeks to get the Fostair out of my system. Bad weather today so haven't done anything. Prefer to be out and about but not going in this weather. Keep well. Sheila x

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toDilly2

i will ask my doctor about carbocisteine caps

thanks

JANET127 profile image
JANET127

Hello, I too have COPD..Bronchitis at times. I read about a Flutter Device and asked my Doctor. She ordered me one. I think this helps me! Plus it brings a lot of Mucus up and I feel like I have more room to breathe! If I think I am going to get Bronchitis...I go on my Nebulizer 4x a day! I also use Mucus Relief DM every day! Every little bit helps! Janet127

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toJANET127

i will look into that thank you

Darceydoo profile image
Darceydoo

Have you seen a Specialist?

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toDarceydoo

yes and i go back to see him again in october

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234

Have you tried something like N-Acetyl-Cysteine. It loosens my mucous and makes it easier to cough up. Works for my COPD. I wonder if you are having an exacerbation, they creep up on you. Do you have emergency meds like prednisolone and antibiotics? Otherwise see the Dr. don't let it turn to pneumonia. Coughing is exhausting, don't let it go in too long. Hope you feel better soon and get fit to face the Autumn

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply tostamford1234

i have a rescue pack of anti biotics and steroids

but i saw my doctor yesterday and she said my lungs are clear yet today i feel i cant take a deep breath and am getting so breathless on activity

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234 in reply toDanceQueen

Oh well! Plenty of fluids then. Have you got some breathing exercises. BLF have lots of info. Sit up straight. Breath through the nose, say for 4, lifting your abdomen, then huff out through your mouth for 8. Everyday is different for me, I have been fine for a couple days, plenty of energy, breathing fine but this morning I have woken up exhausted! Perhaps I over did it a bit. You didn't mention your inhalers.

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply tostamford1234

I'm on ventolin ...seratide ...braltus inhalers and memetasone nasel spray and fexofenadine for my allergies...

I know I don't take enough fluids ...I will drink more

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234 in reply toDanceQueen

That's a real bag full! You should be fit for the disco. My Dr said I could have up to 4 puffs of Ventolin 4 times a day if I felt like it. I very rarely do but it is good to know I can. I don't have Seretide but have Serevent (Salmeterol) because the Braitus seems to wear off by late afternoon. Have you tried a nebuliser with saline solution. I use mine, Nurses permission, when I have an exacerbation. It does help. Maybe it's another allergy. Good luck with the Ct Scan. You seem to be getting the best care

Boeta profile image
Boeta

Hi ....maybe you should consider a visit to you Physiotherapist...they are quite good at loosening mucus....i drink lots of water, herbal teas, lemon water, N- acetylcysteine, huff and puff method....I use Ativan if i go into a panic....keeps me calm....God bless

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toBoeta

thanks for your input

i have been referred to pulmonary rehab but goodness knows how long ill have to wait for that

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen

i have a rescue pack of anti biotics and steroids

but i saw my doctor yesterday and she said my lungs are clear yet today i feel i cant take a deep breath and am getting so breathless on activity

Boeta profile image
Boeta

Hi...this is the nature of this sickness...it strikes a any time, on and off days...rehab will do you a world of good....at least than you can be monitored...try to get some Dr Vogel cough remedy/ drops

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toBoeta

thanks i'll look for those

Boeta profile image
Boeta

....worth investigating....DR VOGEL COUGH FORMULA....

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toBoeta

I have spotted this one at Boots I will give it a try

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Hi,

I have been like you described at times (exhausting and rather frightening when it happens) extra doses of ventolin helped but didn't stop it completely. I was eventually told by my former hospital consultant that he believed the cause was unstable asthma. An increase in the dose of my steroid inhaler gradually settled things down.

I'm not suggesting at all that this is your problem, just wondering if any of your inhalers contain a steroid. I also have emphysema but that rarely causes me to cough. It doesn't seem as if mucous is causing you a problem if your GP said your lungs are clear, but you do seem to have some irritation for whatever reason. I hope that you get some relief soon.

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toCDPO16

Yes I am asthmatic too....I have ventolin...seratide and braltus inhalers ....memetasone nasel spray and fexofenadine for allergies

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply toDanceQueen

Wish I could help more x

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toCDPO16

It's so good of you to reply to my post

So thanks for that .....it's like I have support out there

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toDanceQueen

Some inspiration

bradleychapline.com/my-copd......

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toBoeta

Sorry...wrong link

bradleychapline.com/my-copd......

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toBoeta

Sorry, can't seem to get where I want to be...keeps redirecting to this sight...

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toBoeta

Last try

bradleychapline.com/my-copd...

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toBoeta

Yep...me think.... I got it...so sorry, but do read...

Boeta profile image
Boeta in reply toDanceQueen

Be careful not to overdose...I tend to do this and then suffer with burning lungs afterwards or burning sensation in lungs (not nice)

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234

I have v severe COPD, no Asthma and none of my inhalers contain steroid. I understood those with Steroids were for Asthma patients?

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply tostamford1234

I believe that steroid inhalers are sometimes prescribed for COPD sufferers if they have frequent exacerbations. I was prescribed a steroid inhaler, prior to a diagnosis of late onset asthma, for COPD that failed to respond to long acting bronchodilators alone.

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234 in reply toCDPO16

That maybe the answer. Touch wood I haven't had a bad exacerbation since last Autumn/Winter I did have some wheezing in Spring but antibiotics saw that off (couldn't face the prednisolone!) So despite my 29% lungs I think I have been luckier than some. Stay well

Darceydoo profile image
Darceydoo in reply tostamford1234

Are you on Azithromycin?

stamford1234 profile image
stamford1234 in reply toDarceydoo

No. Braitus. Ventolin. Serevent. Hope you are well

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen

I was prescribed seratide for my asthma then I was diagnosed with COPD and told to continue with that and add in Braltus and as I said the nasel spray is for my allergies...that's the problem I have multiple health problems re my lungs ...also high blood pressure..osteoporosis....Polycythemia(a blood condition) to name but a few....

It's a wonder I'm still alive hahahahaha

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply toDanceQueen

Things are sent to try us, trouble is, they often succeed!

Darceydoo profile image
Darceydoo in reply toDanceQueen

Seretide haven’t they mentioned Relvar Elipta?

Johnem profile image
Johnem

As a precaution, ask your doctor to refer you for an electrocardiagraph to check your heart condition. Heart and lungs can both cause cough and breathlessness and you don't always have ankle swelling in the early stages of heart problem and i do speak from personal experience. As I say, it's a precaution, but one well worth doing.

One way or another, I do hope you get sorted.

John.

DanceQueen profile image
DanceQueen in reply toJohnem

Thanks so much for your reply

I have had an echo on my heart and that seems to be going along ok(glad something still.works)

Johnem profile image
Johnem in reply toDanceQueen

That is good to hear.

Very best wishes,

John.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Chronic cough

Hi guys, I have had this ongoing cough for several years now. When I was younger the doctor I spoke...
SBosnjak profile image

Cough! Cough! Cough!!

Is it just me or do others sleep at night with no cough, wake-up, sit up and cough. Sit down and...
GeorginaS profile image

Cough,cough,cough

Can anybody explain the following to me please. Since being put on to RELVAR inhaler,I find I am...
Fantasy3 profile image

Persistent cough

Hi All, I don't know of anyone can assist me in this complex enquiry, I will give it a try and keep...
Vindicatrix profile image

4 Month Cough

I’m writing on here just for some feedback about a cough that I’ve had for a little over 4 months....
Runninggall profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.