Should I or shouldn't I?

[Woofly]

I don't want to sound as though I am panicking, I am not! but, since yesterday I have started an irritating cough, so I am wondering should I take my antibiotics and prednisolone? (PLEASE not prednisolone!) what do you kind people think?

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Me and my wife have just got over a cough had it about a week.

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I take antibiotics at the first sign of infection but I try to avoid pred if I can

[Bkin]

You don't take antibiotics or prednisolone for a cough. Only use your emergency pack if you get a lung infection, you should have been given instructions when you were given the emergency pack. Please read this so that you are aware when to use this medicine.

The page from link below may be of help to you:

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Keep hydrated by drinking water, if your airways have narrowed for whatever reason (this can cause an irritating cough) use you reliever inhaler - ventolin / salbutamol etc. (read leaflet that comes with the meds)

[katieoxo60 in reply to Bkin]

Thank you Bkin, I personally am prescribed ventolin as I have an underlying cough which never goes away. It controls it well.

[Alfiebax2]

I have had a bad cough on and off since boxing day . I went to doctors last week as it was draining me . She put me on prednisolone for 2 weeks and eight tabs a day to shift it once and for all . I too hate prednisolone but after just 3 days I can feel the cough beginning to go . Hope this helps .

Best wishes Babs x

[Masteryoda in reply to Alfiebax2]

A cough can be phlegm that can be stuck ,it can go to your lungs & that will put you in hospital. Take the meds. Please.

[Alfiebax2 in reply to Masteryoda]

I am taking the meds.ive had my condition for 20plus years I've also had LVRS so there basically isn't anything I dont know about COPD . I've stopped having oxygen as well . I caught the nasty virus that was doing the rounds and had every cold cough going since . As much as I hate prednisolone I'm feeling better already .

Thanks for your concern .

Best wishes Babs

[katieoxo60]

As others suggest your reliever inhaler should help a cough. Worth a try first.

[Woofly in reply to katieoxo60]

Ventolin does absolutely nothing for me, but thank you for your suggestion.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Woofly]

Perhaps you need a different inhaler

[MoyB]

There is a link on BLF for managing flare ups which you might find helpful. I also have a very annoying cough. I have a cough all the time but today it is particularly irritating - more tickly than productive but the tickle is right down in my lungs and the coughing makes me gag. I'm taking Relvar and Incruse Elipta inhalers daily but today I am taking Ventolin as well, as this is often enough to settle the cough down. I don't have a temperature so am not worrying about it!

If I start to produce green phlegm and/or have a temperature then I will start the rescue meds and contact my GP.

Hope this helps. xx Moy

[anng18]

Hi Woofly,

An irritating cough is normally one of the first signs that I need to take anti-biotics. I delayed taking them at Christmas and ended up being given 3 lots and prednisone. That finally cleared it.

[Poeme]

H, my pulmonologist told me to take antibiotics at the first sign of a cold and to take steroids if it subsequently goes to my chest. if I had a cough (and no other cold symptoms) I’d first want to know if it was just an allergy or irritation. Hope you’re well very soon

[Woofly]

Thank you all for your replies, I understand people saying " Only use your emergency pack if you get a lung infection, " My problem this time is I DON'T know if it is an infection! I am loathe to take my rescue pack (antibiotics and Prednisolone ) if it is only a cold, hence my post. I have asked for a telephone appointment with a Dr this afternoon, but frankly without listening to my (rotten!) lungs, I can't see how this will help/

Update: Dr called, she said not to start emergency meds. yet but if it gets worse to take them.