Persistent cough

[Lauray]

Hi I could really use some advise please, last Sept I was told I have mild asthma and put on a brown inhaler and given a blue one, I would get breathless when exercising, very tired and I had a mild cough with a little gunk coming up, after repeated visits to asthma nurse, prescribing nurse and Dr, my symptoms keep getting worse, since November I have been on a purple inhaler x2 am x2 pm, I've had 4 lots of antibiotics which seemed to help but productive cough would soon come back, I had a clear chest x-ray earlier this year, my peak flow used to be 450/470 it's now 300/350, my resting heart rate used to be 51/55, it's now 61/69 I feel generally unwell most of the time, I am now coughing up gunk all day long, sputum samples have been clear except one which I had bacterial infection plus fungi ( the fungi they said is of doubtful significance ) I struggle to take deep breaths as it sets off my cough, sometimes I get a raspy crackling sound when I breath out ( this comes and goes ) sorry for long winded post can anyone advise me? Thanks in advance Laura.

[risabel59]

Dear Lauray,

It sounds as though you need a referral to a specialist. I would go back to the GP and ask for one. You may need full spirometry, and other tests to find out what is going on. X-rays don't show the whole picture and you may need a CT scan. There will be a wait on the NHS for this.

If you don't want to wait, you can go privately, but choose your consultant wisely, Someone who is also working in the NHS is important as is a interest in Asthma. A private consultation will cost about 200gbp if you don't have insurance and a private CT scan will be upward of 700 Gbp, depending on where you have it.

Good luck

R

[Lauray in reply to risabel59]

Thank you for your reply, hopefully my Dr is going to put a referral in on Monday, I struggle to get hold of him so another Dr I spoke to is going to speak with him, it's been a long drawn out process! I will consider the advice on seeking private consultation it's got bad enough I would happily pay to get some answers and help many thanks Laura.

[Jobarton]

Hi, I have the same issue, lots of coughing and only short of breath twice when running. No inhalers or nasal spray work. I have finally been referred so hoping my appointment will come through this week. My x ray was clear too. If i get any answers soon I will post here from someone who's fed up of coughing

[Lauray in reply to Jobarton]

Good luck I will also keep you posted hopefully we will both get some answers soon!

[Hidden]

Hi Lauray

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that you're feeling unwell. As suggested on the thread, do go back to the GP or your asthma nurse. You might find it useful to give our asthma specialist nurse Helpline a call to talk through your asthma medications and tests.

Please do give our nurses helpline a call to talk through how you're feeling, you can reach them on 0300 222 5800 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Take care,

Dita

[Lauray in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I might give them a call as I still can't get hold of my Dr 😞.