Severe cough

Chest and lungs
1

I have been coughing until i vomit. The cough syruo helps for a couple of hours. I tecently had a pft that was normal although I do have Copd/bronchitis. The Copd is under control with Breo. Have never had a cough this severe until I vomit. Also stuffy nose. Looking for any advice!!!!

Could this be am exacerbation?

I also have acid reflux. Thank you

2

Hi,

Are you sure your PFT was normal? If it's normal you don't have COPD. probably it was stable rather than normal. Cough is part and parcel of COPD unfortunately. Have you stopped smoking? That's the biggest thing you can do. Some people have success with mucolytics, have you tried those? If you feel generally unwell, feverish, more SOB it could be an exasperation yes.

3

Do you smoke? If yes, stop immediately!

I understand you shouldn't take syrup if you have COPD.

I have such severe coughing fits that I am left completely breathless with my heart racing at 140 beat per min,

It could be an exacerbation... Stuffy nose, too. Your body trying to get rid of mucus.

Go to your GP again and ask to be referred to a specialist.

But you MUST STOP SMOKING (if you do)!!! And take plenty of exercise...

All the best!

4

Hi ,can I ask if you take any medication other than for breathing ,,,for instance blood pressure or thyroid  ? I ask as I was having reflux all day and every day ,,,then I just started to take my thyroid tablet on an empty stomach /before breakfast ,,,and then my inhalers after breakfast ,,,then my blood pressure tablet at mid day ,,,,seems to be doing the trick ,,,,or is it hpjust coincidence ,,,,

5

Thank you, Mark. I did stop and went back, quit again a while back. I have been told I have bronchitis at times and at times COPD. My dr said that the Breo could be making my pft normal. I am not really sure what is going on. The funny thing is that I am only very slightly sob. The cough does not seem related to sob. I do bring up some clear mucus. What are mucolytics, like Mucinex? I will try it.

I am not feverish just tired from not sleeping well. I also wonder if the cough is worse because I have reflux? Anyway it is frustrating and very unpleasant of course.

6

Thank you Frenchie. No I do not smoke. I am sorry your symptoms are that bad!! As I said before, I am not sob. But it could be an exacerbation? I don't know. Will have to call my dr.

7

Thank you Nanny. No, I don't take those mess but I do have reflux!! I never had a cough from it before. I am bringing up mucus so maybe it is a combination but I do not have sob. So I have to check with the dr. I am glad you are feeling better - has your cough improved?

8

Is it possible to have copd and produce normal pft tests???

9

Results I meant lol

10

I do not know. My previous PFT in February was not normal, it was acute bronchitis (pulmonary). Then my primary told me I did have Copd!! Went in last month because I was feeling sob and the handheld spirometer said normal. I am thinking I am progressing. There is not another explanation for such a severe cough with mucus (sometimes) unless it is reflux, or both. I have no sob. Very strange.

11

I'm In a similar position had normal spirometry tests even tho my fev1/fvc ratio was 75%

I have sob on exertion,hardly any phelgm but a dry cough but not constant.

Confused is the word

12

Yes, my former pft was 77 percent. This time was normal. I don't get it at all, especially with this cough. My cough is not constant, but at night it is fairly constant. I am going to see my dr tomorrow.

Thank you

13

I hope you've got yourself to a doctor by now, because that's the only way you'll knolw for sure if this is an exacerbation.

Are you sure your COPD is under control?   I don't understand how you can have a normal pft if you have COPD - was that normal in the usual sense, or normal for your stage of COPD?

14

Doctor says it is not an exacerbation. In my notes from pulmonary it says chronic asthmatic bonchiitis. So some form. He think that and the reflux is causing the cough.

It is very confusing. He is going to send me to an allergist in case they can pinpoint something.

Thank you!

15

May I suggest that you cut all dairy products from your diet as these make mucus. I use goats milk now and it has made a dramatic difference to me.