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coughing

Posted , 6 users are following.

stephanie88976
stephanie88976

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 2 yrs ago and I have episodes where I constantly cough. Especially when I lay down at night or change position I cough. Can anyone tell me what I can do about frequent coughing?

Thank you

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • mimi000
    mimi000 stephanie88976

    Posted

    I  use a nebulizer before bedtime a humidifier in the evening.  Coughing to get the phlem out is good but too much coughing is tiring.  I also drink honey and lemon... that helps me.
    • stephanie88976
      stephanie88976 mimi000

      Posted

      Thank you for the respones, this coughing is driving me crazy. I will try honey and lemon.

       

  • dancing_queen
    dancing_queen stephanie88976

    Posted

    Hi Stephanie

    Isn't it awful, you need your rest with this condition but it seems impossible sometimes with all the coughing. 

    i use a salt pipe each day for 15 minutes, which opens up my airways. Then, I use an Acapella (or I have used a Flutter). I find these help me immensely, although they don't stop the coughing they do help to clear my chest considerably for lying down. Having said that, I find the best time for me is before eating my evening meal, as food always seems to stimulate the cough too.

    I'm sure you will get a lot of methods to try but, of course, everyone is different and what works for one person may not suit another. Trial and error is the best way forward.

    Best of luck

    • mimi000
      mimi000 dancing_queen

      Posted

      I forgot to say that I use a SMART VEST (percusive device)

      I cough less ater I use it.  But I make myself cough until i raist phelm about 2 or 3 times a day.... and the I cough much less the rest of the day.  Hope this helps

    • stephanie88976
      stephanie88976 dancing_queen

      Posted

      Hello dancing queen, thank you for your response. I have one question for you. If your clearing your airways from mucus. What is causing the coughing? Can anyone tell me why we cough with bronchiestes?

      Thank u

    • dancing_queen
      dancing_queen stephanie88976

      Posted

      Hi,

      Bronchiectasis is where there are little sacs that fill up with phlegm/mucus which cannot be cleared as someone without this condition would do naturally. Therefore, we need to clear them to prevent any bacteria building up (this is my way of explaining things). The coughing is natures way of clearing our lungs.

      Maybe if you ask your consultant/respiratory team to explain it to you, they will be able to give you a more accurate explanation.

  • elizabeth49611
    elizabeth49611 stephanie88976

    Posted

    Try sleeping with extra pillows behind your head so that you are in a reclining position (I have a pillow wedge that I sometimes use).  Or sleep in a recliner, if you have one.

    The constant coughing makes me think that you are not getting all of the mucus up or are having problems getting it up. Talk to your specialist.

    Good luck, Beth

  • katie28486
    katie28486 stephanie88976

    Posted

    hi Stephanie

    I've just been diagnosed with this problem and I cough a soon as I lie down as well as often throughout the day. Lovely isn't it. In the night I find if I wrap a light scarf around my neck it helps me a little and I suck a eucalyptus lollie which is great. Heavens knows why. I'm wondering if you also get an itchy throat at night as well as some times during the day. I have resorted to an antihistamine tablet at night. Good luck. We need our sleep don't we.  Katie 

     

    • stephanie88976
      stephanie88976 katie28486

      Posted

      Hello Katie,

      yes, I have all that you have described. My doctor has me on Dulera inhaler and Singulair chewable tab and it seem to be helping. I also take a Ventolin inhaler prior to bedtime. I did not see inprovment with my sleep until I had been taking medication for at least a month. 

      Thanks for the information about the eucalyptus lollie, I goning to add that to my management plan.

      Stephanie

  • dwilki25
    dwilki25 stephanie88976

    Posted

    Hi Stephanie,

    ?I fully understand your problem.  I am often tired and when I lie down to take a nap the coughing starts.  The only way I've been able to deal with it is chest clearing (I use the acapella).  Prior to bed time I now use the acapella in sitting position and also lying on my left side and then on my right side.  I do this until I can 'huff' 5 times in each position without being forced to cough before the huffing is complete.  This allows me to lie down with as 'minimal' coughing as I can manage.  The downside is that the process can wake you up more which makes sleeping difficult for a different reason.  For me the whole thing takes about 20 minutes.

    ?Take Care.

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