Cough all the time, it just will not stop
I have a cough for about 18 months, the gp i was seeing did nothing to diagnose, just pumped me with antibiotics , about 10 different types for 18 months. I changed gps and within 2 weeks, i had a chest xray, a pathology report on the mucous, lung breathing test and a scan.
Xray showed mild Atelectasis scarring, pathology negative, scan same mild scarring on small areas on both lungs. Doctor has diagnosed COPD.
I am taking Spiriva and Seretide. Have been for 5 weeks now. I cannot get to a lung specialist for about 7 weeks, must be a lot of sick people around here.
This dam cough will not let go, day and night, at random for about 10 minutes a time.
A friend suggested i take Senega and Ammonia. Any luck with that anyone?
Can anyone suggest something that may ease this cough.
It is controlling my life. In between coughs i just feel as normal as i used to once.
First, I'm sorry to hear everything it took for you to finally find out you have COPD. However, now that you know you can move forward and treat it. It sounds like a good start with the the two medications you've started on. The Seretide is a good choice as it's a combination medication that will treat both the inflammation and the constriction of your airways.
Sadly, cough can be a problem with COPD. But the trick is to find what works for you to reduce or eradicate the cough altogether.
Be sure you stay well hydrated. That's a start. Also, if you smoke, that will increase irritation to airways and will certainly add to coughing fits. Additionally, try to generate a good cough to bring up loose secretions. Clearing those out a time or two throughout the day will be helpful.
Here's an article that has a few more tips: https://copd.net/living/strategies-improving-cough
Take care!
Lyn (site moderator COPD.net)
I have the same. My cough has been with me for 5 years or so and it is miserable. Prednisone and a prescription cough syrup with codeine is what I'm taking. The Drs. don't want me to stay on a high dose of Prednisone because of the damage it does to my body. So I'm on 10mg a day and the cough syrup seem to keep in under control. thank you for the info. I never heard about the cough syrup. My Dr. is one of the top Pulmonologist at this hospital. I find out so much being a part of this community. 🌞 
, i'm glad that you are finding our community helpful! Just as a reminder though, as we can't offer medical advice over the internet (for your safety!) I would definitely ask your doctor about the cough syrup next time you see them before stopping or trying something new! All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, Team Member).
I'll share the one thing that has helped me with my cough. It was recommended by my Doctor, and it has worked well for me for months now. It's an over the counter med called Mucinex (12-hour maximum strength). I take one every 12 hours with my other meds and it absolutely loosens up any and all mucus buildup in my lungs (Stage 4) when nothing else did. I cough it up easily and then no more coughing. I went from coughing my brains out to coughing once or twice a day. Really. Be sure to check for any drug interaction/reaction precautions with the other meds you take first. but I take several and no issues. I actually now have no congestion issues at all because of it. Keep us posted on how you are doing! I forgot to also mention this: Stay cool. Getting too hot will literally make me unable to breathe, and cause a coughing fit after I get hot enough, and the next step is to pass out. I absolutely cannot tolerate any temp above 78-80degrees max. So I have to stay indoors, period, in summer. Also, for me the Mucinex works a hundred times better that any cough medicine made.
Similar story here - had something that SOUNDED a lot like Covid before Covid was even recognized here in the US - that "infection" lasted for months: cough, exhaustion, etc. Was treated with antibiotics and steroids - which did nothing. Only time - lots of it - saw the infection go away. Then again, about 4 months ago, I got the same kind of illness - and I had to wait 3 months to get in to see a pulmonologist, and finally get on some oxygen. The doc has sent me for chest CT, wants to do a CT angiography, sleep study (I have a bladder disease which means I'm up to pee 6-8 times a night so not sure a sleep study is going to be worth anything), ordered a CPAP (which I used years ago for mild apnea, and found it wasn't really useful) so I'm frustrated. I'm wanting a more conservative approach especially since the oxygen (2.5 level) seems to be making an incredible difference in my quality of life now. I have to second the recommendation of Mucinex, an over the counter cough medicine. I've been taking it just once a day at night for several months now, and I don't know if it's just the time that has passed and my "infection" is getting much better, or if the Mucinex has helped a whole lot, but it can't hurt (unless like someone mentioned, your other meds interfere?).
