My Condition

[leonierose]

I was diagnosed with Asthma and mild Bronchiectasis 2 years ago I had a cough for almost 35 years after a severe bout of bronchitis I eventually saw a lung consultant in Glasgow who diagnosed my condition I have had 3 lung scans and my condition is stable

My asthma is cough and I have about 4 to 5 bouts of coughing daily It’s triggered by exertion uphill, all sprays and perfumes and cigarette smoke. I have 3 inhalers Spiriva, Fostair and Salamol I also take a Montelukast tablet daily

[Izb1]

Hi leonierose and welcome to the site. Pretty dreadful that you have had a cough for 35 years and only recently been diagnosed. I hope the inhalers are helping and you are now under the care of a consultant x

[leonierose in reply to Izb1]

thank you for your welcome I don’t have a consultant now I had to go private as the waiting list was 2 years ! I do have checks at my surgery by a nurse I can say the medication has helped 50% but I still have long coughing fits and sneezing Not sure about changing my drugs as I don’t know enough about them The Spiriva always makes me cough .

[Izb1 in reply to leonierose]

Nurses at the surgery know very little about bronchiectasis hence the reason you need to be referred to the hospital. I would suggest asking your gp to do this, if you are not on the waiting list you will never get there. If you can find the name of a specialist in bronchectasis it would help to request that you see them. Have a look at previous posts by putting bronchectasis in the search box above, it will help you x

[ilos in reply to leonierose]

I have used Spiriva for 12 years. At first I was on the powder one which made me very dry. I find the Spiriva Respimat much better. Your conditions are different from mine- I have emphysema, but given that you can afford to invest in your health, I would try to find a good homeopath in your area. Mine has helped me.

[leonierose in reply to ilos]

Hi Thank you for your response I can’t afford to pay privately now I was just desperate during Covid My problem is where I live Cumbria where we have limited access to consultants so I am reliant on the NHS

[ilos in reply to leonierose]

I sympathise with that. I live in a remote part of Cornwall where there are few services. I have never had a consultant in all the 13 years since my diagnosis. Now that many practitioners offer Zoom sessions it is easier to find other help. Again I would recommend finding a Homeopath

[leonierose in reply to Izb1]

hi I am so grateful for all the support after just a few days

Does anyone ever wonder if we are so reliant on drugs that we automatically receive them without question I

I am not questioning how much they have helped me but I just wonder if once a consultant / doctor has prescribed there is not much follow up with how we all feel I know that the NHS is under enormous pressure and we have already been diagnosed but it’s almost like there is no opportunity to query things

Maybe I read too muc(h on line X

[Izb1 in reply to leonierose]

I think the doctors rely on us saying " I dont feel good on this or this is working or had a reaction from this" as you say the sytem is so overworked they just dont have time x

[Nula2]

Hi Leonierose, welcome to this site it is a very friendly, funny and supportive group. I have Bronchiectasis, Asthma and Aspergillosis. Like you I have inhalers (Fostairs and Salamol). I also have a device (prescribed by my specialist) to help me clear my lungs along with carbocisteine tablets (2 three times a day) to help thin the mucus. . Take care and once again welcome 🙂xxx

[Ern007]

Hi leonierose, I had such a cough for may years - It was put down to Asthma, every day near all day long.

I had an inhaler Duovent probably the best I have had but was discontinued, I had the brown steroid spray I think Budesonide. I took myself of Montelukast did no good and I did not like it.

About 25 years ago, could be more I was diagnosed with Emphysema and that got worse and frequent flair ups.

The flair up have lessened now I have dyspnea .

I suffered near perfumes, and air fresheners and smoke but, until about 25 years ago i did smoke and that added to the damage,

I found after duovent - Ipratropium bromide 9green Inhaler) has been best for me.

I know what those nag nag persistent coughs are like, I hope you get relieve very soon.

[leonierose in reply to Ern007]

Thank you for your lovely responses and to everyone on this forum It has been a revelation to me It is so easy to get bogged down in your own illness and then you read what so many other people have to put up with and it makes me feel humble and grateful Thank you all for your posts

[Ern007 in reply to leonierose]

You will find all of us on this forum ready to help each other, really nice people on here. Sure your going to like posting here.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum. If u need any help or advice do ask. Do u get much mucous? x

[Karenanne61]

Hi and welcome to this friendly, funny and informative forum. I suffered from an intractable cough but I was prescribed codeine linctus by palliative care and it's helped enormously!

[watergazer]

Hello and welcome leonierose. Lots on here will give you advice, laughs and it’s a place to share your woes. Take care x

[Ern007]

I had a cough for years when I was younger, day and night, I wend doc's and no real diagnosis. Was not like feeling very ill but the cough was relentless - Later diagnosed with the then COAD - I had three inhalers which helped.