Been coughing for 3months

[Kudy]

I have been coughing since 20th of May in what began as a mild sore throat. I have since hard 3 courses of antibiotics and a chest X-ray revealed a bit of fluid in the lungs, which the consultants do not feel is much of an issue.

the coughing is very productive in the morning and then very dry at night and my nose gets blocked as well. I choke in my sleep and use my travel neck cushion to support my head since I now have to sleep in an almost sitting position.

I am very tired these days having to start work very early, and in so much pain in the head, neck, sides and lower groin area.

I recently started on Belimumab in January 2023 and suspect it may have something to do with these infections I keep getting but right now I have no clue what to do.

has anyone experienced such a condition and what remedies or meds helped?

[MrsMarigold]

Judy I do not know. I hope someone will jump in here with good advice. Sounds miserable best to you

[Halcyon-Days]

I'm so sorry that you're struggling. I had a very similar experience to you and it was miserable. I started with flu like symptoms in December and then started coughing,I have to be honest I did delay seeing the doctor as it was Christmas but eventual went mid January. I was prescribed Amoxycillin and steroids at the first visit which didn't really completely clear things up. At the second visit I was given more steroids and a Ventolin inhaler plus a prescription for more Amoxycillin just in case I needed it, which I did.....but still things didn't improve. Eventually I had a chest X ray which was all clear but still the coughing went on.

By this time I felt like I was going mad, like you I had to sleep propped up and was coughing up awful thick green mucus. I returned to the doctors surgery again in early May armed with a sample and ready for a battle, however the doctor was very good and listened to what I had to say. On examination he said my chest was clear, however when he saw the sample I'd taken in he admitted that clearly that wasn't right. I was given a course of Erythromycin antibiotics which I'm pleased to say finally did the trick. It had been almost five months.

I will say that I wasn't on the Biological therapy that you are, but just wanted to give you hope that although you feel like you're never going to feel well again that I did, and I hope you do too.

[bhuebhek]

I’m very sorry for your struggle.. It must’ve been exhausting!

With my daughter going to the kindergarten I had multiple (mostly viral) infections the whole winter-early summer that I broke 2 ribs and my eye bled from coughing.

Since you’re already on antibiotics, it might’ve been the leftover of viral infection. There’s nothing much one can do if it’s viral infection. The body needs to fight it itself. Try to get rid of the fluid/mucus as much as possible everyday. It would improve you sleep quality and and your body’s recovery. Sounds simple but really sleep is the key.

During the day I usually took herbal expectorant to loosen the mucus. It might cause more coughs, because coughing gets out the mucus from your lungs. Just spit out everything. Also I did nasal irrigation once in a while. Increase the room humidity and I also took something to help me sleep.

Be patient and consistent. With us taking immune suppressant it always takes longer to recover. Get well soon! 🤗

[Rosills1]

So sorry to hear your problems.Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?

How old are you?

what antibiotics have you taken?

[Kudy in reply to Rosills1]

47

Co amoxillin, doxycycline and another dose of co-amoxicillin.

From the sputum test, the infection is a bacterial- moraxella catarrhalis

Although I am told an X-ray revealed a little fluid and scarring in my left lung but consultant thinks that can’t cause the prolonged coughing

[Treetop33]

Hard to say - could be Covid, post Covid I suppose...lingering virus....acid reflux? I get reflxu every time I get a bug now (one of the joys of having Covid, along with hayfever and general poorer health). I suggest go to the docs again to try and get some help xx