Ive had it
Posted , 8 users are following.
I've had B for 12yrs.. last couple of years its been getting worst. I cough ALL day.... thankful not so much while asleep. I cough till a choke.... I rarely cough stuff up... its a dry cough, sometimes feels like I am breathing thru a pillow. AGH*&%#*&%&. anyone else like this?? cough cough cough . I take Symbicort 2x twice a day.... and ( If I remember) Spiriva at lunch time. If hard to breathe I can use Salbutamol .... also suck on cough drops all day long too... :-(
0 likes, 6 replies
heretoday DebbieRV
Posted
sallyGB DebbieRV
Posted
Sounds like you suffer very similarly to me - I currently 'cough all day' too, and must get through huge numbers of packets of 'Fisherman's Friend' which I find is the only thing to stop the coughing to any extent (they taste foul, but they do seem to work). I also take Symbicort and I think it does help. I'm intending to get an appointment with a specialist to see what new treatments might be out there, to ease the symptoms (I haven't seen a respiratory specialist since I was diagnosed 6 years ago). However, I know I've become slack in using my nebuliser and doing the 'active cycle of breathing' exercises every day, both of which help with the condition - so the extent of my current coughing is, in part, my own fault (and I'm intending to remedy this. I've just let life and general 'busy-ness' get in the way of properly managing my symptoms). I've also been advised that there are people demonstrating breathing exercises (that help clear the lungs) on YouTube; my cough is sometimes a productive one but sometimes, like you, a dry one. Among the things I need to investigate (that I've often found out about via this site) are 'flutter' devices, and using albaterol in my nebuliser rather than just a saline solution. Keeping physical fitness levels up is something that I find also helps a great deal.
So I'm getting there - I think there are ways to dampen down the wretched cough!
Wishing you all the best in managing what sound like very similar symptoms to my own.
With best wishes
Sally
DebbieRV sallyGB
Posted
thxs.. yes we sound the same... I now carry "Ricola" around instead of fishermen friends.. seems to help at bit more. But do need something for that dry cough. I'm off to the lung doc in about a hour... lets see what she has to say. I don't hold much in what they say . cheers
DebbieRV sallyGB
Posted
so going for a CT / blood work / nose and throat Doc / Allergy Doc / she wants me to also try a pill once a day for heartburn for a month. Just incase that is some of the issue. ( I do not get heartburn but she said there is silent heartburn that can cause dry coughing ) she just wants to rule out everything she said. She is a new Lung Spec. to me... so , kinda of like that she wants to test it all. :-) Caio
gunelle DebbieRV
Posted
Pulmicort inhaler helps me with dry cough. It's a steroid. I have CF as well as B and take inhaled saline, pulozyne and inhaled antibiotic. I do the breathing cycle and also have the flutter. Hope you start to feel better soon.
elizabeth49611 DebbieRV
Posted
Have you talked to your specialist about changing your meds? What works for some people may not work for another.
Does your chest always seem tight? It could be asthma along with the bronchiectasis. That's my condition. I take meds to keep the airways open so that I can cough up the mucus.
I have learned (thru this forum) to be proactive and managing Bx. The internet can provide a lot of information to alternatives to taking prescribed meds. I take Turmeric w/pepper every day because of it's anti-inflammatory properties.
It has taken me years to finally find a formula of meds and other alternatives that is right for me. We was a major set back in my life years ago, is now a minor set back now.
So don't give up and be proactive, talk to you specialist, and do alittle trial and error on what works for you.
Beth