Thank you!

[Spanielblue]

Thank you all for telling me how you cope with your coughing attacks. I read them all with interest and will be trying recommendations.

[patty17]

Hi SpanielblueI saw your post the other day and know exactly how you feel.

I have several uncontrollable coughing fits a day.

I haven't found anything that works to stop it although drinking water throughout the day seems to help.

I also take cough medicine at night if it is affecting my sleep.

It is embarrassing when it happens in public. It always seems to happen to me when I am on the bus.

I am always telling people I don't have COVID but a serious lung condition.

It gets worse when I get an exacerbation, cold or infection.

I try to stay calm and tell myself it will pass.

Sorry to not be more help.

Kind regards

Patty 17

[Spanielblue in reply to patty17]

You have been helpful because knowing you too go through the same as me makes me feel better about my illness. I haven't found anything that works either and feel like you do when I can't control a cough when out shopping. With the latter I try and find a quiet corner to hide away in until coughing stops. This isn't always possible though so have to hide coughing sounds by coughing into a scarf or something else which will reduce the noise of coughing. I also make frightening sounds in between coughs because I cannot breath properly. Not always like this but it does happen. Wish I could find some help with the latter because it does scare me. Which medicine do you sometimes take at night? The movement of climbing into bed often makes me cough and when I turn over. I think we could go on and on about our condition, don't you?

[patty17 in reply to Spanielblue]

Hi Spanielblue

Thanks for your reply.

I take pholcodene at night sometimes. It helps with tickly coughs as it is a cough suppressant. It has codeine in it so you have to ask the pharmacist for it.

I also take lots of kitchen roll with me when I go out as it's stronger than tissues.

Do people ask you if you need water or offer you a cough sweet when it happens to you.

I was in Tesco doing my shopping a few years ago when I had one of my coughing attacks.

This man came up to me and said he was a doctor and did I have COPD.

I said yes and he asked me if I needed oxygen. I didn't but then I thought later does he carry it about with him on the off chance he bumps into someone with breathing problems.

Nice to hear from you.

Take care

Patty 17