Morning Coughing and Low oxygen levels

[Bingo88]

Good morning Everyone. Does anyone else with COPD have trouble with Coughing only in a morning when getting up. I was Diagnosed with severe obstruction copd 2 years ago. And just had a home visit from a Respiratory nurse. I was just given a Sabutatomol inhaler by my G.P. but the Respiratory nurse mentioned it may not be suitable. Steroid inhaler maybe better. A hot drink seems to settle the Coughing down. I know i have to go back to the more experienced professionals but was wondering if anyone else has this problem. I am ok once I get over this and my oxygen levels come back upto 92. Take care Everyone and enjoy your day. Brian

[2greys]

Hi Bingo88,

You should ask your GP for a referral to see a Consultant. just being given a Salbutamol inhaler is not good enough if you have been diagnosed with Severe COPD. You really need a more comprehensive treatment regime ie. a combination preventer inhaler. Carbocisteine or other such mucus thinner. A rescue pack of antibiotics and oral steroids. Do not take no for an answer, get that referral to see a specialist.

[Bingo88 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks for the information and Advice 2greys

[soppysokes]

please, do as 2greys has suggested and push hard for the better treatment, it is available, dont be fobbed off.

[Bingo88 in reply to soppysokes]

Thank you soppysokes. I certainly will

[sassy59]

Hi Brian, I agree with 2greys. You need to see a consultant and get proper medication for your condition.

I hope things improve for you soon. Take care xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you. I have got an appointment with my gp tomorrow and will ask to be referred

[sassy59 in reply to Bingo88]

👍🥰 xxx

[Alice70 in reply to Bingo88]

While you are seeing GP ask for something better than Salbutamol, as it will take a while for appointment with consultant

[Bingo88 in reply to Alice70]

Thanks for your reply Alice 70. Yes I will do. Thank you

[O2Trees]

I agree with everyone - it's seriously ridiculous for you not to have a consultant Bingo88 - what are they thinking? So do push for this. Also from experience of being severe stage for about fifteen years I know that short acting bronchodilators such as Salbutamol don't work for many at this stage. Ive had an inhaler with both steroid and long lasting bronchodilator in it for years. There are also inhalers known as triple therapy which have another component in them - these are newer.

Id advise you to call the BLF helpline and talk over your needs with one of their nurses - then you will be well equipped to ask for proper treatment, including access to a consultant.

[Bingo88 in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks for your reply

[Bkin]

Hi Brian

Not sure why your visiting nurse should have said this to you. Here's the thing.

(I cough more when airways have narrowed, I use salbutamol when that happens in addition to my other inhaler meds which include a steroid inhaler and long acting broncodilaters.)

Salbutamol is a RELIEVER medicine (a short acting brocodilater lasts up 4- 6 hours on average) which you can take as required up to 2 puffs 4 x daily.

This would be ideal to give you relief as and when your airways have narrowed ideal to RELIEVE symptoms You could in fact use this before bed and it may improve your waking up coughing.

The steroid inhaler is a PREVENTER medicine used to help prevent lung infections and lung inflammation (helping to keep things stable)

You've not mentioned what meds you already take, having severe obstruction COPD you may well have already been prescribed long term broncodilater and steroid (preventer) inhalers.

If you do not already have a reliever medicine such as salbutamol or ventolin I would say its ideal to have one and carry with you always (this is the instruction given by most respiratory nurses to patients who have COPD).

There are 12 hour bronco dilaters as well but possibly in your currently prescribed inhalers this is covered.

Blf.org home page has a page on COPD medications, but I am getting error messages for blf.org.uk at the moment otherwise I would link to the page for you.

Best wishes BK

[Bingo88 in reply to Bkin]

Thanks so much for all the information you supplied. Its appreciated. Brian

[Bkin in reply to Bingo88]

Welcome Brian

[Bkin]

I wonder if this US article may shed some light on things for you.

uofmhealth.org/health-libra...

As mentioned carbocisteine may help if you are producing a lot of mucus, your doctor can prescribe,

Also don't hesitate to contact blf helpline for further help and advice;

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call to 03000 030 555

[HungryHufflepuff]

I hope your appointment with the GP goes well and you get a helpful out come from it. 🤞

[Bingo88 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thanks very much HungryHufflepuff

[pc49]

Hi bingo,I was diagnosed with copd 5 years ago with coughing in the night and mornings,after 5 years of this I ended up in hospital I was given steroids they really worked ,X-rays showed my lungs were in first class condition,the doctor told me he thinks I might be suffering with silent reflux.He put me on gavascon advanced,and acid tablets,since I haven't had a cough ,my copd diagnosis came from blowing in spiro machine while I had chest infection so was treated for the wrong thing for five years.i was okay when I got out of bed,but cough all night,hope this might help in your case, worth a try good luck,

[Bingo88 in reply to pc49]

Wow pc 49. That's certainly inspiring to hear. I was diagnosed by the same test and basically nothings been done up till now And I have an appointment this afternoon with my g.p. so will see what they say to my request to see a consultant and get more answers. Thanks for your reply. Brian