Cough, syncope, hand tremors, exasperations
Hello all. I'll try to keep this short. I have what I call, mid-level COPD. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Not best-case scenario, but not the worst either as I'm right in the middle with severity. It sucks as you all know. My question is, does anyone else cough severely, just about to pass out but don't (you can't believe you DIDN'T pass out) stay coherent enough to notice your right hand has tremors. This is weird and am wondering if this has something to do with COPD, not getting oxygen to my brain and my right hand starts wigging out. Also, is an exasperation something as simple as what I just described when coughing so severely, I come as humanly close to passing out. Should I use my rescue inhaler when this happens? I'm a COPD newbie guys.
Hi koover, and welcome! I see that you are a new member here, having joined a few hours ago. We are glad to see you are already engaged in conversation with the community.
You may be aware we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), but your concerns certainly warrant a reply.
There are folks, with a COPD diagnosis, who do experience rather severe bouts of coughing. Naturally, this can vary among patients - some coughing less vigorously than others while still others, may not cough at all. Generally speaking, a vigorous coughing jag (as you described), can have an effect on one's blood pressure and oxygenation levels. Each of these parameters might cause the symptoms you've shared with the community. In order to be certain, and find out exactly what is occurring in your specific condition, you will most certainly want to bring this to the attention of your physician. What do you think?
To address your other concern, an exacerbation is an unexpected and sudden change in one's condition. This may, in turn, manifest itself as an acute worsening of one's disease symptoms, in this case, COPD. We actually have a wealth of information published, right here on COPD.net, which speaks to COPD and exacerbations. I thought you might find it helpful to look over any of these articles: https://copd.net/search?s=exacerbation. I do hope you find they provide additional insight for your expressed concern.
If there is anything else we can assist you with, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Welcome! Sounds like you may have an ongoing lung infection of some sort. This needs to be treated, like with antibiotics or other meds. My condition is advanced, but I also have many tools to fight problems - a dozen meds, oxygen, my nebulizer, my NIV machine, etc. Yes, I have passed out from coughing fits, even while standing, and hit the floor (it's hard!). I also have other issues, such as dizziness caused by meds, Vertigo, and balance issues. This illness and the meds that treat it can have side effects. I also get serious and ongoing hand tremors, but mine are in my left hand only, and come at night, or whenever I am in bed reading and still. This happens most every night and lasts till I go to sleep, but almost never in the daytime when I am up and about. No explanations have been forthcoming. Also, while this is going on, the rest of my body twitches, uncontrollably, not severe, but enough to freak the cat out. Due to dehydration, I also get muscle cramps, especially in my legs, that can wake me in serious pain. But I take two diuretics to combat edema. So, there are a lot of little annoyances to deal with sometimes. It has been especially bad since last week, when I was in for some testing, and they put me under. I am drinking crazy amounts of water to try and get hydrated but can never quite get there. Oh, well. One day at a time, eh? 
@koover If i cough ( DRY COUGH ESPECIALLY), My Left hand shakes, I believe it’s due the HARD COUGHING You’re doing.
