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Virus or Lung issues

Frankie4Sanity profile image

How do you tell if the coughing is to do with Asthma/COPD and inhaler should be used to help with breathing, or whether its just a virus, cold, etc? My surgery has told me that I shouldn't need to use my inhaler during the day outside of my prescribed use morning and evening and if I am using more, they want to know about it, so I'm getting nervous about using it.

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Frankie4Sanity profile image
Frankie4Sanity
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10 Replies
Biker88 profile image
Biker88

I have COPD and have been prescribed both preventer and reliever inhalers I use the preventer once in the morning and relievers when I need them. Coughing can be caused by an infection bacterial, fungal or viral but also allergies or anxiety. I also suffer from the last two I’m allergic to the excess stomach acid vapour from my hiatus hernia and I get anxiety coughs. If you need to use reliever regularly then tell your GP it may be the inhaler you have is not right for you and you need to try a different one.

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

In my opinion, use it if you need it, and if you need it outside morning and evening, tell your GP. If you need it regularly outside morning and evening, they will give you more support to control your breathing difficulties.

Look after your health first. To the surgery, you're just one of thousands, and while they try their best, they don't have the same life investment in you as you have.

leo60 profile image
leo60

I would agree, if you need your reliever, use it. The the surgery want to know only so they can monitor you in case you need a stronger/ different one.

Don't be scared to use them, that's what they're there for xx

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply toleo60

And don't be scared of the surgery either - they are there for us, not the other way round!

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toO2Trees

Hear hear! Xx

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56 in reply toO2Trees

Some surgeries do not entirely give that impression.

Frankie4Sanity profile image
Frankie4Sanity in reply toAlberta56

Thanks guys! I have to say that each time I go, I see someone different who gives different info and some of them give the impression that they think I'm just wasting their time. Would be good if there was some consistency.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

You must use your reliever when you need it.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1

I have had a cough for years, nothing sinister, just a damn nusience. This year it has been much worse .... for all of this time I have been on a party bag of drugs including Ramipril 10mg. One side effect of Ramipril is coughing, of varying intensities, my GP told me to come off it. The coughing reduced but hasn't stopped.

Over the last 10 months or so I have experienced increasing breathlessness which has worsened to the point where I have had many tests and the end result has been the diagnosis of mild COPD .... but COPD nevertheless. To this end I've been prescribed an inhaler .... Easyhaler with Sulbutamol (Blue Inhaler - a Reliever).

I am finding my coughing with COPD is worse in the morning, say between 7 and 9 am. During that time frame I inhale my Easyhaler. That helps me through the morning but my whole COPD is influenced dramatically by the weather. As a consequence I have another inhale around 1 to 2 pm. After this time I hardly cough and have quite a dry easy breathing chest for the rest of the day - no sweat. Most days I have 2 inhales, on a bad day a third.

Meanwhile, I have taken up gentle walking around my area. A friend of mine has also suggested I undertake a Respiratory Rehab Course which would need a referral from my GP. Gotta check that out.

John

PaulineHM profile image
PaulineHM

Hello,

I totally share your frustration. After years - 22 of them living with Asthma COPD, I am still shocked at the lack of knowledge shared by many health care staff to patients with Asthma COPD . This is a lucridous situation and totally unnecessary. Asthma COPD carries a higher symptom burden so you need slightly more support to successfully self manage the conditions.

So how to get the support you need ? To empower yourself is the probably the best way and the way to do that is educate yourself. I am still learning.

Have you spoken to the specialist respiratory nurses helpline at Asthma + Lung U.K ? They are superb and so helpful.

Perhaps use a local Breathe Easy group if there is one- for peer support or join one of the online support groups again Asthma + Lung U.K.

Do you have a care plan ? Here is a link to our local one which you can print out and ask for help to complete. There is a lengthy one on the Asthma + Lung U.K. website. Badger your healthcare providers to help you with completing one. You are entitled to a personalised care plan.

g-care.glos.nhs.uk/uploads/...

There are many simple things we can do to minimise flare ups. Once you have an idea of what to look for there is so much good information around especially online for you to access to help and support yourself. Sad to say that in many areas it is all down to us these days.

I wish you well. Stick with the support on this platform. There are lots of folk here with years of experience to help. Let us know how you get on won’t you ?

Go well.

Pauline

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