Coughing

[babysally]

Hello everyone, at 66yrs I have been diagnosed with a lung disease . Had asthma badly as a child, less badly as an adult. Had broncestasis also. These were well controlled with medication. Now they say I have a lung disease that can't be managed to get me back to breathing ok. Just trying to maintain where I am. Anyway that was a bit of background. Does anyone have coughing fits? Coughing drives me potty.

[Lol1944]

have you got a name for thus desease , might help us to help you.

[babysally in reply to Lol1944]

My nurse chastised me for calling it COPD because apparently that's an umbrella term for a number of things but I think that's what it is. I have 52% lung capacity. Thanks for responding .

[O2Trees in reply to babysally]

Your nurse chastised you for naming it wrongly (she is right about copd being an umbrella term) but didn't give you the correct name?? These nurses can be so arrogant and up themselves. Knowledge is power and we need to know, at the very least, what our diagnosis is. If you have 52% lung capacity that sounds like a spirometry measurement and could be copd - usually emphysema or chronic bronchitis - and if so it would mean you are at the lower end of the moderate stage for a copd condition.

But Im not a medic and you need to find this out from someone who is. You might get a copy letter the nurse has written to your GP saying exactly what your condition is, or you could ask for a telephone appointment with your GP. Nurse telling you off? Good grief!

[babysally in reply to Lol1944]

It's a dry cough, non productive.

[2023AFibber in reply to babysally]

try a spoonful of honey, works for me

[helenlw7]

I was coughing every day between 2012 and 2017. In 2012 I was diagnosed with severe asthma and bronchiecstasis. (I also have rheumatoid arthritis.). I had frequent chest infections until I was prescribed Azithromycin as a prophylactic. It also stopped the coughing. I ended up finishing work when I was 59 because I was a primary teacher and the constant coughing made my job very difficult. I had a ct scan in February which showed ground glass in one lung. I had a repeat scan yesterday to see the area is bigger.

[babysally in reply to helenlw7]

Thanks for your response, much appreciated I have been on Azithromycin for a number of years due to an Immune deficiency.

[PaulineHM]

Hello babysally,

Sorry to hear of your lung disease and yes coughing can be a flipping nuisance, often exhausting too isn’t it ?

Different folk respond differently to a variety causes and symptoms, which is probably not a very helpful thing to say although that is often the way it is.

It is often each of use working out what works for us as individuals which as you may imagine is trial and error.

Sometimes a symptom diary can be helpful. Say keeping a track of cough symptoms etc for 30 days ? Are there any days when it is better, worse, less irritating, more evident ? Each day you could score your cough…1-10 ?

What are you doing on those days ? What is the weather on those days ? Dry, cold, sunny, damp ?

What is your physical state on those days ? Energetic ? Tired ? Stressed? Relaxed ?

And so on….do get my drift ?

Assume you have a reliever inhaler ?

Do you think a symptom diary for a month might worth a try ? It’s about finding what works for you ?

Go well,

Pauline

[babysally in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you Pauline that was very helpful. I will keep a diary. Very I have a reliever but it doesn't help unfortunately. Yes it is exhausting, And I always have a tight chest.

[Egpa]

Hi, I also cough all the time, I have ra, bronceactsis and asthma. It drives mad!!! If I have ventolin and a hot drink , it sort of calms down a bit. I have to sleep in the chair up wright to keep it under control if it's really bad, when I lye down that's when it starts. Good luck, stay safe.

[babysally in reply to Egpa]

There should be something to help with this. It's not good is it. Be well.

[Dottie11 in reply to babysally]

Check humidity in your home also. As soon as it is colder and my heating goes on my cough gets much worse.

[Dottie11 in reply to Egpa]

I do the same plus I prop both arms up on a cushion .

[Bingo88]

Good morning babysally. I was diagnosed with Severe copd at 63 years old and with Asthma 2 years later I have had a morning cough since January. When we had the freezing temperatures and I don't seem to be able to get rid of it. Sputum sample came back clear. But still no help at all. Hope you get some help. Brian

[Dottie11 in reply to Bingo88]

Mine is bad first thing. Lots of warm drinks helps a bit.

[Bingo88 in reply to Dottie11]

It's funny you say that because I have my inhaler as soon as I get up. And I have usually already been coughing by then and the inhaler doesn't stop the coughing but drinking my 1st cup of coffee usually does. I have told the Respiratory nurse this. And she looks at me as if I am stupid

[Dottie11 in reply to Bingo88]

I now make sure I drink a warm cup of tea. A few sips and start my inhaler. Repeat before use inhaler for the second time. My mornings are always bad for coughing. I have dry airways, nasal passages, mouth etc and always worse this time of year. Now in my sixties and age has also increased risk. Moisture on skin, Neilmed products for my nose, sinus sprays, oral moisture products. I have Sjogrens which causes dryness. Along with my lung and immune conditions. Good luck.

[Bingo88 in reply to Dottie11]

Yes I have problems with a dry mouth during the night. I thought it was because I sleep with my mouth open. I keep a bottle of water by the bed. But it doesn't help much

[Nula2 in reply to Bingo88]

I agree - a cup of tea always seems to help me 🙂xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to Nula2]

It's amazing how a hot drink does more than any medication. Take care and stay well. Brian

[Nula2 in reply to Bingo88]

I find Fostairs helps with clearance. Not sure Ventolin helps very much but keep using it just in case it helps a little. I get a horrible dry mouth at night too. Specialist calls it 'cotton mouth' which although an understatement is a good description. I think it might be the Fostairs causing it - not sure. Take care of yourself Brian 🙂xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to Nula2]

You too and I will report how my 1st breath easy group meeting goes tomorrow. I have been told there will be a talk with someone from an oxygen company tomorrow. But hoping to definitely keep off that if I can

[Nula2 in reply to Bingo88]

Ah looking forward to hearing about it. Wish there was one near me but maybe one day there will be 🤞🙂 xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to Nula2]

Yes it is a problem finding somewhere handy. The one I am going to is 7 miles away and would be a problem but I still drive so its only 15 minutes away in my car. Brian

[Nula2 in reply to Bingo88]

Yes the nearest one to me is over 14miles away. Long way on the bus 😅xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to Nula2]

Yes sadly anything on public transport takes 3 times as long. I shall only go as long as I can drive and have my car. Hope your day goes well. Brian

[O2Trees in reply to Bingo88]

Your respiratory nurse is ignorant then! Coffee is a bronchodilator as it contains caffeine. So some people do benefit from drinking a cup. Also having a hot drink can relax your throat. Tell her that!!

[babysally in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you I will 02Trees. Guess decaffeinated doesn't work them. Thanks for your help and support.

[Nula2 in reply to O2Trees]

Yes a cup of tea helps me as does 100% cocoa dark chocolate - I have couple of squares after every meal.

[Dottie11]

Biotene " for people with a dry mouth". You might be able to getf rom your Gp. Or buy it. Also xylimelts are small tablets you stick on the roof of your mouth for oral dryness. My rheumatologist told me about both these products and really do help. If you are mouth breathing that will cause it too. If this is because your sinus are blocked maybe you can find something to help with that. Take care.

[Bingo88 in reply to Dottie11]

Thanks for all that your suggestions I do use a nasal spray 3 times a day to help with my nasal rubbish in a morning. Brian

[babysally]

Thank you all so much for replying

[Patk1]

Ru familiar with lung clearance techniques x

[babysally in reply to Patk1]

Yes

[Alberta56]

I find cold water helps with coughing fits- I'm obviously different from everybody else.

[Germantara]

Coughing awfull I have awfull coughing on a morning when I start not easy to stop I often get light headed with preasure that's my worst cough on off all day and through the night but morning the worst off worst so I understand how you feel I hope you can find some ease because it runs you down

[teddyd]

I have not read all the post so my point might have already been discussed.You said you had bronchietasis. But it read as if you do not have it now. Bronchietasis

as far as I know cannot be cured.

Prior to being diagnosed I had a continues cough and infection. Maybe ask about your previous bronchietasis diagnosis

[babysally in reply to teddyd]

Yes I have it now

[Ern007]

I had a severe cough for years and I mean about 15 - Morning noon and often at night. Breathing problems still there, but the cough has gone, must have been Asthma IMO which I had in my 20s.

[Biker88]

I used to have terrible coughing spells, I have Aspergillosis, emphysema (COPD), I woke up every night coughing and round that if I lay down in bed I cough so now I sleep in a semi sitting position. As for the daytime cough this was eventually after some time to be an allergic reaction to stomach acid, and talking Gaviscon cured the cough. A cough can be caused by several things so trying to identify the cause is a good way forward

[Vindicatrix]

Hi Sally, 'Coughing Fits' you and me both.

You seem to have been treated well, so far, regarding your conditions, but I can understand why this may be causing you, much, angst.

Coughing regularly and consistently, inhibits one greatly, one doesn't want to mix, and if you do, you understandably, get 'Looks', and rightly so, given the last few years of Covid., a

I have had CLL for 5 years, and was recently diagnosed with a form of COPD. For one year I have had continual coughing bouts, one of them lasting about 10 weeks.,

I have had MRI's full body CT scans, and, Ultra Sounds, and numerous Antibiotics. I am currently going through yet another 'Virus, and possible chest infection, and have been consistently coughing for three weeks.

I was told by one consultant to change my Blood Pressure pills from Ramipril, to another one, as Ramipril, seemingly may cause coughing. (It doesn't seem to have helped.)

Please keep at your Medics, politely and assertively, of course, until you get the matter sorted to your satisfaction.

I'm afraid that due to the restraints and overload, of the NHS, currently,it really is crucial for us to 'Fight our Corner'.

I do so hope that things improve for you, all the very best. Ron

[babysally in reply to Vindicatrix]

Thank you so much Ron, that was a lovely, kins and considerate reply. Went to see my nurse today, to be told there is nothing they can do for me. Whatever! Going to respatory physiotherapy Monday, quite positive about that appointment. This is a wonderful group. Hope you stay well and thanks again, appreciated .

[Vindicatrix in reply to babysally]

Sally, I'm so glad you have found a group which helps. Have you exhausted all GP and Consutant advice. I would personally be reluctant to rely on the advice of one nurse. I'm assuming you have had to do this as a last resort, perhaps.

Whatever the position I hope you thrive within your group.

Regards Ron,