Hi all, I was diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis in my right lung around 6 years ago. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/remedies on what I could take for a persistent cough that I have developed recently which is very frustrating and which is waking me up in the middle of the night, bit like a tickly cough that sadly doesn't seem to be getting any better, been going on now for a couple of months. It does sometimes bother me during the day which can be a little embarrassing if you're in company!
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
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Balmoral33
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Hi Balmoral33. If you are sure that you don't have a chest virus, Night time coughing could be due to post nasal drip irritating the top of your chest or stomach acid getting into your lungs from the eosophagus.
Also, being bronchiectasis both the nightime and daytime coughing could be due to the fact that you aren't emptying your lungs of mucus efficiently and it is trying to work its way out.
Thanks Littlepom, any suggestion on best way to get rid of the mucus? I find that lying down seems to work best for me and even bending over seems to help too. I've done the huffing but that really doesn't seem to help much. How about these flutter type things? I have a CT scan coming up so hoping that will maybe help. I've tried hot drinks with ginger, honey and lemon and that helps a little.
It takes a regular routine to get rid of the mucus. Huffing will not help without the cycle of breathing that goes with it. Do you have access to a physio who can teach you this? I can tell you what I do and there are various things on You Tube but it is better to have someone to supervise you. Flutter devices can be very good and I have an aerosure medic device which I find useful when the mucus is paricularly sticky. As a lifelong 'cougher upper' I don't find that any of the drinks etc make any difference to me but they do to some people.
I have done the cycle of breathing you talk about which I used along with the huffing but I didn't seem to have much mucus then to get up, perhaps I should get back into that again as I know that my condition has changed. If you could recommend a flutter device that does the trick I would be very grateful. Have you ever tried any salt therapy? I've been to a salt cave and it does seem to help bring up the mucus but it's quite expensive and not something I could really afford to continue with.
I nebulise .9% saline sometimes. My consultant won't let me have 3 or 7% because she says that can have a bad systemic effect.some COPD people on here neb it sometimes in that strength and one or two bronchs I think. Bronch changes all the time that is why it is such a devil. We are always trying to stay one step ahead of it. I like my aerosure medic because it works on an electric motor and gives more resistance than the ones which work by a magnet or simple plastic device. It is very expensive though so it might be a good idea to try the others first.you should be able to get one of those from your docs. Yes try the breathing cycle again.It takes at least twenty minutes to half an hour and each time you breathe out go as far as possible and gently squeeze and shake your rib cage. Don't be tempted to cough until the end of the third breath in each cycle. It is worth looking at post nasal drip and acid reflux for your irritated cough as well though.
Thanks so much Littlepom, you've been very prompt in your replies and good to know there is help out there, thanks for your kindness and I'll be trying out the breathing technique again and all your other suggestions
Hi, I have just noticed your wee or not so wee problem. I have had an annoying dry tickling cough for months now, which has been put down to side effect of medication, which has now been stopped, changed to another which I read has same side effect /. This cough mostly at night although last few days been during daytime as well, has now been topped with a cold the mucus sticks half way and will not move , Not being able to get Doctor appointment after weeks of this I am at present waiting for them to phone me today. so see what happens now.
Good luck Tannie hope you get rid of the cold soon, I was suggested Fishermen's Friend for my irritating cough, a very old remedy so I'm going to try them - anything is worth a go
Hi Balmoral 33, Well had weeks supply of steroids, finished this morning. Still the same, I remember having this before, when on holiday called in at Loughborough Drop In, they gave me Antibiotics and steroids ,two weeks supply, which did help after which back home went for tests etc, voice box included. Since that bout I have not been able to sing (couldn't very well before but could sing with the grandkids) now can't finish line in song. anyway, all results clear. no problems till now when back again.Have been taking Fishermen's Friends and Jakemans. They help quite a bit. Take care
I have bronchiectasis too and get a postnatal drip ( had a septoplasty for a deviated septum but it's only been partly effective , also from allergies) . However I thought for ages that my night time tickle ( a dry tickle cough in your throat where you just have to cough!) but turns out it's due to reflux. More of the " silent reflux" types not so obvious. Am now on lansoprazole which has helped.
Would never have thought about the silent reflux but did wonder about the nasal drip as I do seem to have runny nose more these days. Thanks so much for your help
Also I've had lots of post nasal drip had (and still do have )a blocked nose with allergies for years but it didnt cause that dry tickle cough. I always thought it was due to the nose until someone suggested reflux . By looking it up I realised it must be the silent reflux! X
Also I've had lots of post nasal drip had (and still do have )a blocked nose with allergies for years but it didnt cause that dry tickle cough. I always thought it was due to the nose until someone suggested reflux . By looking it up I realised it must be the silent reflux! X
Hi there is one herb that could help as long as you have something to inhale it with?
Fresh Thyme from the supermarket, brewed up like tea and then use the liquer in some sort of inhaler (Nebuliser or similar) and then keep inhaling. I have two sisters in Germany and one niece who is a Dr and swears by this for chest and lung problems. It is reasonably cheap and easy to use. Best of luck.
This post is really interesting to me. I apparently have mild Bronch. And Obliterative Bronchiolitis. The OB is being looked after because it was very agressive, but the Bronch. is sort of a side issue at the moment. I don't think I have the nasal drip, although the minute I start eating my nose runs uncontrollably ( flipping nuisance and embarrassing if I'm out!) But I do have night time silent reflux. I've altered when I take my Esomeprazole which I have for another gut issue from am to pm and it helps but I still have this irritating need to clear my throat all the time. I use breathing exercises to huff but the mucus is stubborn and just seems to move about rather than come up? Are your exercises different Littlepom?
That's interesting Ccupcakes. I have bronch. And first thing in the morning I spend two hours at work feeling like I need to clear my throat. I get annoyed with it! I apologize to people all the time. I was starting to think it was my symbicort inhaler? I take omeprazole morning and night. I also thought it was because I used milk so I changed to dairy free milk but it hasn't made much difference. I cant cut out my inhaler so don't know the answer really.
Other people have recommended a nebuliser with prescribed salt solution (in individual capsules) and Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (huffing). I do both at bedtime and often in the morning too. They both help me to get up my phlegm.
I don't think anyone has mentioned carbosisteine (prescribed) which helps to thin the mucus so that it is easier to cough up. Also we should drink 1.5 litres of water a day to keep the mucus thin so it us easier to cough up.
I also have a Flutter (some doctors will prescribe one) and an Aerosure Medic (which is expensive) either of which I use if the phlegm gets stuck or I am wheezing a bit after I have lain down.
I do not go anywhere without Fisherman's Friend 'sweets' (original, not flavoured) to suck if I feel a tickle. It contains menthol and eucalyptus. It works for me and stops the tickle. I go to sleep clutching a packet - just in case I get a ticket in the middle of the night !
Drinking plenty of water certainly helps a lot, I do a lot of exercise and strangely enough I find that the movement and if I'm lying down certainly helps to get up the phlegm. Salt does seem to be mentioned a lot when it comes to chest conditions, I have tried salt rooms and whilst it does seem to get the phlegm up it is quite an expensive therapy for something that is long term. I must try the Fisherman's Friend - a very old brand and I'm sure will help. Thankfully the last two nights I have slept without coughing!! I feel that the constant coughing when there is no phlegm to bring up actually makes me cough more so I feel I need something to soothe the cough so the Fishermens Friend might do the trick with the darn tickle!. Never tried a nebuliser but might have a chat to my GP about it, anything is worth a try. Deep breathing and the huffing helps too. Thanks for all your suggestions - very helpful
Just drink a lot of water. When I cough like that it's because I'm dehydrated. My body pulling water from places that have water. I also take antihistamine. Which help with the cough.
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