asthma chesty cough

[Zoec1975]

hi all.i normally have well controlled asthma lots of colds here and there and had no prednisone for years.back at the end of july i started with a light cold and breathlessness.which is still carrying on to this day.always a chesty cough with coloured gunk.i have had an xray ct scan bloods checked ecg all ok numerous antibiotics and prednisone nothing helped the cough.i have come down with a cold now and still chesty cough but not so breathless now.also have been put on montelucast which seems to help.some days it is chesty others i dont really cough.i cannot take an more time off work.any ideas please i am desperate and miserable for being at home so long.thanks

[Biker88]

If bacterial, viral and fungal infection are all clear then the cough could be an allergic reaction or anxiety. I have both of these, excess stomach acid fumes irritate my lungs resulting in a lot of coughing and in anxiety situations again I end up coughing. Gaviscon initially stopped the allergy cough and now on Omeprazole and now I realise that I do get a cough trigger if I’m anxious it’s not so worrying I just accept it.

[Izb1]

I found that antihistamine helped to dry up the mucus on my chest which helped the cough. It's usually mucus on the chest that causes the cough. I took one at night and it really helped me to sleep as well. Speak with your gp/chemist about taking maybe for a week and see how you feel x

[BronchyBronwen]

I wonder if you have bronchiectasis. I also wonder what did show up on the CT scan you had. Please let us know.

[Zoec1975 in reply to BronchyBronwen]

I asked the dr about bronchiectasis he said no I haven’t got that.ct scan was clear so was xray yet.i also do take allergy tablets every day.im breathless again today and feeling very low now stuck at home feeling like this.i have had results from sputum test back they are fine.

[starskyd]

Try carbocistine, it helps with mucus production. Helps thins it. Worth a try

[Zoec1975 in reply to starskyd]

Thanks i have not long started it.also had spirometry test today,all ok.

[stillear]

I don't follow this forum as much as I should.On this topic, I'm asthmatic and allegedly have COPD.

I suffered from persistent and violent coughing ,started October 2023 and it was February this year when the condition eased up but did not go away. This was after 2 sessions of antibiotics.

I experimented with fostair 200/6, 100/6 and Trimbo. Nothing helped and after a few really bad coughing fits I contacted the heart and lung nurse.

She listened long and hard and she came up with a suggestion.

Over the years whichever inhaler I was told to use was taken 2 puffs twice a day.

She recommended I use the 100/6 but take 2 puffs but 3 times a day.

I cleared the idea with my GP and blimey things calmed down within a matter of say 5 days and remain good ever since.

Give it a try, nowt to loose

[Zoec1975 in reply to stillear]

Thank you for your advice will speak to doc as i am on montelucast as well.👍🏻

[BronchyBronwen]

Really sorry you're feeling so low. Good advice from others I think. I wonder if a good singing session at home might help? It always cheers me up and is really good for all lung health. If you have an Alexa, you might, eg, sing along with Boom radio (music from the 60s and 70s). It helped my condition hugely but I appreciate you have something different. But apart from that, it really is a wonderful mood-changer. Do give it a go, perhaps? xxx💐💐💐

[Zoec1975 in reply to BronchyBronwen]

Thank you so much for the advice and listening.yes i am no singer but love music so will give it a go xx

[BronchyBronwen in reply to Zoec1975]

Trust me; everyone can sing! We all got bad messages from school. You just need the right songs, the right teacher. The warm up exercises in a choir help hugely. The voice is like a muscle - use it or lose it. See if there's a local choir you can join. Gives you such a big lift. Would love to know how you get on. xx

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hi Zoec1975, so sorry to hear you're struggling. I wonder if it might help to chat with us on the Helpline. We're open 9.15am-5pm, Monday - Friday on 0300 222 5800, and we're always happy to chat. If you want to chat with a nurse select option 3.

All the best, Helpline Team