Sleeping

[Alfie33]

I have heart disease which effects my breathing terribly but when i go to bed and lay down i start to cough which stops me sleeping. Does anyone else have the same problem

[Prada47]

Hi The Heart Failure Nurse explained it to me like this.

Think of yourself as a bottle about 3/4 full with the top off, when it's standing up nothing comes out, lie it down and the liquid will come out. That's like your lungs standing up is ok lie down and any liquid tries to flow out just making you cough. Her solution is a decent pillow even a V shaped pillow ! hope that helps a little.

Regards

[10gingercats]

I had this problem with lung and fluid around the heart. It can usually be shifted with a diuretic such as Furosimide.I am not a medic and only quote from my own experience. Worth discussion with your Gp.

[NeilStrid in reply to 10gingercats]

I concur with the Furosemide reply. I ended up in hospital last year with what they thought was a blood clot on the lung, but turned out to be fluid. Within a couple of hours of taking Furosemide I felt a million times better

[Sljp0000]

I used to cough when lying down but now my Lansoprozole has been increased to the max I don't. Are you on max meds for acid reflux?

[Desktop54 in reply to Sljp0000]

Have you tried "elephant feet" to prop up your bed? My hubby does this and it helps his indigestion. It took me about a week to get used to it. You can get them from Amazon good luck.

[Alfie33 in reply to Sljp0000]

I'm on pantoprazole but I take it in the morning, il take it at night. Thank you

[Bhunabhoy]

Hi

When I experienced similar symptoms to yourself, historically it was from acid reflux, which was triggered by eating certain foods, eg tomato-based sauces, but I’ve made some tweaks to my diet and thankfully only experience the food related reflux very occasionally.

I had a heart attack and stent fitted last September, and initially I was given Ramipril as part of my meds regime, and this brought on a cough which was noticably worse when I was trying to get to sleep. I’ve now switched to Losartan, and am no longer troubled by the cough.

Hope you manage to find a solution, because I know from experience how frustrating it is when you crave sleep and a cough is keeping you awake. ATB.

[Bryn06]

I had the same issue for 6 months after a bypass. I could only sleep propped up, with several pillows, and my head resting against headboard. My meds were then changed and the cough stopped.

[Shabana1974]

It's sounds like aswell as heart disease you may have Sleep Apenia. I use to have similar issues but my new best friend the Cpap machine has really helped with that.

Or you could by one of those back support things that don't let you lay flat.

amzn.eu/d/cD0V81e

Or a cheaper version

amzn.eu/d/bXiueia

My heart team recommended not laying flat as when laying flat fluid builds as the heart can't pump very well and that's also what causes the cough.

Hope that's helpful

You may find these items cheaper or maybe able to make something it's just as a reference to give you ideas

Best wishes

Shabana

[readyabout]

Hi Alfie33, Not got your problem, but my experience may help. I have continuing back problem, arthritis and worn facet joints, eventually I tried an adjustable bed, it is really great you can adjust to whatever suits, and it makes getting up much easier, my wife also finds it invaluable as having it has helped her acid refux tremendously, we have a double but individual beds within that, as you will never agree on same adjustments. We had a home demo by a very expensive bed, but opted for a local company who were much cheaper and very good, now 5 years on and great, we used 'Theraposture'

[oldpalfoz01]

Hello, I've conquered my sleep anxiety by buying medium to hard pillows, once you get used to them it's good, could say it's like putting your head on a comfy block , no coughing though 🙂

[Alfie33 in reply to oldpalfoz01]

Iv tried that I paid £75 for a posture pillow I dont have any neck or shoulder pain but its not helped my cough

[oldpalfoz01 in reply to Alfie33]

I'm talking of 3 thick pillows then I lye on my side , when I was in Stoke hospital I had one pillow 🙃

[Girlygolfer]

I have a hiatus hernia that makes me cough at night my doctor advise that I raise the bed by about 3/4inches at the head board. That seems to help and don’t really notice it. Hubby just put some wooden blocks under the feet. Take care

[Alfie33 in reply to Girlygolfer]

I also have a hiatus hernia since iv started taking my pantoprazole 40mg at 8pm instead of in the morning it seems to help my cough

[Girlygolfer]

thanks I might try that instead of taking it the morning