COPD cough

[D0n49]

A very Happy New Year to All - here’s to 2022 bringing us good health.

This may seem like a silly question, but is a permanent cough part and parcel of COPD please? My Mum has had a barking cough for over two months now, and after a number of courses of steroids and antibiotics it still has not cleared.

We ended up in A&E about four weeks ago, as advised by the GP, and it was confirmed the cough was not being caused by her heart, with bloods showing the end of an infection.

Whilst the frequency has lessened (it flares up at night) and the productiveness varies, I recall my Mum being cough free and a lot less breathless after her admission to/treatment in hospital in August. Conscious her airways sound inflamed and from what I have read this is what causes permanent lung damage.

I have requested she be referred back to the Respiratory Consultant, but there are no appointments until May. Also I have asked for a referral to our local Respiratory Team who I hope can better advise on the management of her condition.

She is currently on Fostair twice a day, and has a salbutomol inhaler which she doesn’t use as she finds it provides no relief. Should her inhalers work to relieve the breathlessness and/or cough please?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as always, thank you!

[Oshgosh]

Have you considered trying to refer yourself to the respiratory team.

I have had asthma for 30 years.

I now have NSIP,When I was discharged from hospital,they gave me the number.

We’re lucky,our resp team is good.other areas aren’t as good,I believe.

Does your mum cough sputum up ? I use Venlin because although it opens my airways,even though. I don’t feel much benefit from it.

[D0n49 in reply to Oshgosh]

Hi Oshgosh,

Thank you for your reply. Following my last post I researched our local healthcare authority and emailed the Respiratory Team directly. They very promptly replied to say a GP referral was required, so I requested this and followed back directly with them. They confirmed the referral had been received and was being processed so hopeful I can get some dedicated guidance soon 🤞🏻

Yes, my Mum does produce sputum. It varies; when it’s dark green I contact the GP and after I asked they now offer sample bottles that I take to Pathology. However once I obtain the vile from the surgery it turns white again - think that is called Murphy’s Law 🤦🏻‍♀️

A sample is currently being tested, and she is on Doxycycline twice a day, but it doesn’t seem to be clearing?! Problem is the violent coughing is causing pain elsewhere in her body, she has osteoarthritis and it’s impacting her worn hip/groin and back!

Feeling so useless!!! Xx

[Oshgosh in reply to D0n49]

Perhaps you could get a couple of vials to keep at ho,e.When it’s green spit scrape it into a vial. I find Doxy doesn’t work until the end of the course.

One thing I forgot to ask before.

Does your mum have. Spacer to use with her inhalers.If she hasn’t,you need to ask the GPfor one.

The aerosol inhalers are so difficult to use to get the spray into the lungs.I find it impossible to use without a spacer.

Perhaps they may advise some more prednisolone.

It depends what they find.

Find that I don’t feel the any benefit from inhalers,if I don’t take ,I start to struggle after a week or so.

Hi m recovering from a lung infection.I’m planning to try to get a phone appointment tomorrow to see is I need any more antibiotics.

.sputum not back to normal yet.

I used to use a bronchial cough medicine.I found it relieved the cough a little

[D0n49 in reply to Oshgosh]

Yes, that’s a great idea thank you! And thank you for the advice about it taking until the later end of the course - praying that is the case, this is her fourth lot 🙏🏻

Mum has a spacer, will have to dig it out and see if it helps, thank you!

Sorry to hear you are unwell - how did you get diagnosed please? Hope you are feeling much better very soon!!!

Thanks again and please take care xx

[Oshgosh in reply to D0n49]

I’m chronically ill.I have Connecive tissue disease - rheumatoid athritis lupus and SJOGRENS disease.

I have lung disease NSIP.

I WAS DIAGNOSED 3years,when I was admitted by 999.ambulance.with short ness of breath.

After 11 days they gave me the diagnosis of NSIP %. I’m now under the care of Wythenshawe hospital,who look after me as best they can. Hi just keep going the best I can .I hop your mm is ok.

[D0n49 in reply to Oshgosh]

Oh my goodness Oshgosh, you really are going through your own battles - makes me all the more grateful for your help!!!

Wishing you all the best and thanks again xx

[Lafoy in reply to D0n49]

I am sorry to hear about your Mum. Your helplessness is shared by many. As was written for those without human conscience. 'Nature red in tooth and claw.' Not it seems, just for the animal kingdom. We all suffer in some way or other and it is only through human contact that the pain can be diverted... For those few moments a kind word, a smile, a touch, will reassure us all and remind us, that we are all truly human.

[D0n49 in reply to Lafoy]

Thank you for your lovely words Lafoy.

I hope you are managing to keep safe and well xx

[CDPO16]

It can take a long time for things to settle after a prolonged infection. Years ago I had a bad chest infection and it took about 3 months before my cough eased even after 3 courses of antibiotics. A sputum sample sent to the path lab for testing had shown that my infection had gone but my lungs continued to expel rubbish which would include dead white cells left from the infection.

As for the Ventolin, it's advisable to use it about 15 minutes before using the fostair to open up the airways so that the fostair gets deeper into the lungs. The inhalers will ease breathlessness to some degree but won't ease a cough.

[D0n49 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you so much CDPO16, that would make sense with her situation and gives me some reassurance 😊 xx

[Bingo88]

If you have been referred to your respiratory nurse team. I should ring them directly again and tell them about your concerns and see if they can see your Mom soon. My respiratory nurses are very good and sometimes see me at home instead of at the surgery. Hope you get some help soon. Brian

[D0n49 in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you very much Brian 😊 I had emailed the Team before Christmas, they confirmed the referral had been processed, and I believe it should take two weeks thereafter - so hopefully it will be some time soon. But like everything at the moment, I expect COVID will cause delays so don’t want to chase them just yet!

My Mum has a GP appointment this afternoon, her sputum sample should be back by now so maybe this one (third time lucky) can provide some answers/confirm the treatment needed.

Thanks again, and please stay safe and well xx

[Bingo88 in reply to D0n49]

Hope you get some good news. And take care

[Fruitcake100]

I have had a permanent bad cough for approx five years, it can be caused by so many things it is difficult to diagnose. I have mild COpD which I think is part if the problem plus taking pills for AF may not help as they have side affects. Only two things help me Neils Med nose spray, a type of saline spray which helps clear post nasal drip and Taking Peptac or Gaviston frequently as a chronic cough can be caused by reflux which one often doesn’t even realise one has, anyway it certainly has helped me. Look it up on line there is lots of info about it. Good luck

[D0n49 in reply to Fruitcake100]

Thank you so much Fruitcake100. Sorry to hear you are having struggles with a cough too 🥺 It goes straight through my soul when I hear Mum’s, as she didn’t seem to have it before she contracted COVID last December!

Mum’s heart also goes in and out of AF from time to time, and I had asked the Cardiac Consultant whether the Ramipril could be the cause, and he said possibly. It seems strange though as she has been taking it for almost five years since her heart attack. Maybe I will ask the GP if there is an alternative she could try?

Thank you so much for the brilliant advice - always conscious of indigestion remedies interacting with all of her other medications so will also ask our Doctor today.

Thanks again! Please take care and stay well xx

[Lafoy in reply to Fruitcake100]

Along with D0n 49 I concur. However, I always check when assigned to a new doctor on their ability and medical knowledge. I have questions which a fully qualified doctor should be able to answer. One 'where are the ephesian plates, two, Kayser-Fleisher rings indicate what decease? As an artist, I studied human anatomy and have comprehensive knowledge of the human form. Where would you find the Fascia lata and the Pectineus ( the thigh). You would be surprised how many doctors cannot answer these questions. Most people, including myself ,have immense respect for doctors. The training and dedication is to be admired, but like all professions, there are those who may just scrape through. Don't take everything your doctor say as sacrosanct. Check online or seek a second opinion. You may ask why I am being so bullish about doctors. My Mother died of Bowel cancer which was not diagnosed by her doctor. She went private and they informed her of the decease, but sadly too late.

[D0n49 in reply to Lafoy]

Thank you Lafoy, and I am so very sorry to hear what your Mother went through 😥

I completely agree, whilst I have the upmost respect for Doctors they are only human. Unfortunately my Mum is old school and takes everything they say as gospel - I on the other hand always come armed with lots of questions, and it may make me look like an @r$e but I don’t care as my Mum means the world to me!!!

Take care please xx

[Karenanne61]

I have very severe copd and cough all the time. I have been referred to respiratory physio to see if they can help. Maybe the respiratory team will suggest this . I do hope something is done for your mom soon as it is exhausting and very painful.

[D0n49 in reply to Karenanne61]

I am sorry to hear of the severity of your condition Karenanne, but it’s great news you have been referred for physio! I wish you lots of luck with it and please be sure to let me know how you get on - sounds like that would be a good idea for Mum too!

Thank you for your help! Stay safe and well xx

[Patk1]

I'd advice her to restart salbutamol and to use with a spacer device.if she has mucous,read up on lung clearance techniques and also on controlled breathing.its beneficial in helping to relax airways and to use whn walking etc

[D0n49 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1 😊 We have dug out her spacer and she is having two puffs of Salbutamol 15 minutes before her Fostair. I assume the spacer can be used for both without cleaning inbetween?!

Her sputum sample strangely showed no infection, but regardless the Doxycycline prescribed appears to have alleviated her cough massively, unfortunately the breathlessness persists.

After much chasing she has now been referred back to the Respiratory Consultant, although no available appointments until May. She has also been referred to the local healthcare Respiratory Team and has a telephone appointment with a Nurse at the end of the month. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that - finally feel like I am going to get some specialised support 🙏🏻

Problem now is the violent coughing has strained her body. She has osteoarthritis, and is in need of a hip and knee replacement, as well a rod along her wearing spine. She is now experiencing excruciating pain in her groin - hoping it’s just strained and she hasn’t broken her other hip, but fear it may warrant braving A&E again. Worried people are going to think I have Munchausan syndrome by proxy at this rate!!!

Thanks again! Hope you are keeping safe and well, and have a lovely weekend xx