Coughing until voice is totally gone and cannot swallow

I am 79 years old and last year I went through the same thing -- only, in so doing, I cracked 3 of my ribs and was unable to take my usual short walks for about 5 weeks -- it's hard to breathe and walk and function! I made an appointment with my pulmonary doctor when the coughing sent me to the ER with hemoptysis. He ordered and bronchoscopy and that revealed not only BE but also MAC.

I tried the big 3 and they were too much for me and so I became a patient at National Jewish Health in Denver. Since then, my coughing has subsided through ACTs (airway clearance techniques) only. I am on no drugs but will have a consultation with my NJH ID doctor next week as to where I go from here. My testing will be complete by then. I also have to 2 fungi growing in my lungs and I rather suspect that may be part of the treatment.

It's best to see a pulmonologist for clarification of the reason(s) for your coughing. Best Wishes!

I am 79 years old and last year I went through the same thing -- only, in so doing, I cracked 3 of my ribs and was unable to take my usual short walks for about 5 weeks -- it's hard to breathe and walk and function! I made an appointment with my pulmonary doctor when the coughing sent me to the ER with hemoptysis. He ordered and bronchoscopy and that revealed not only BE but also MAC.

I tried the big 3 and they were too much for me and so I became a patient at National Jewish Health in Denver. Since then, my coughing has subsided through ACTs (airway clearance techniques) only. I am on no drugs but will have a consultation with my NJH ID doctor next week as to where I go from here. My testing will be complete by then. I also have to 2 fungi growing in my lungs and I rather suspect that may be part of the treatment.

It's best to see a pulmonologist for clarification of the reason(s) for your coughing. Best Wishes!

So sorry to hear all you have had to deal with. So glad you apparently are close to NJH.? Did you orginally go through the introductary week process of multiple tests etc. and then continue your care at NJH.

I ask because you indicated they instructed you on ACT.
Did they do that on your introductoary week process or at another time.

I was up there is October and glad I went. I was not taught ACT or other breathing techniques during that introductary week process, the October visit. I only found out about the different breathing techniques/air way clearance techniques via research on the internet or Mayo Clinic Connect.
Distance has caused me to change to the program in Tyler, TX.

Hello,
Yes, considering other NJH patients’ distances, I am closer than many. You are getting similar advice if you are nearer to the Tyler, TX facility.

I have made several trips to Denver from my location (by cab) so I wasn’t there for a week all at once but have made at least 8 trips there for testing when required. They like to use their own labs, etc. for the best results.

I have followed webinars/presentations online to learn about the ACTs, some sponsored by NJH, and also through online lung communities as I await my appointment next week. I believe my ID doctor will consider how to approach this issue when I see him. Much depends on my next CT scan and other tests on the day of my appointment.

Given my age, sometimes the antibiotics are best not given. ACTs can be very effective in certain cases and I’m hoping for that as my only treatment at this point in my life.

Wishing you the best!

Hello,
Yes, considering other NJH patients’ distances, I am closer than many. You are getting similar advice if you are nearer to the Tyler, TX facility.

I have made several trips to Denver from my location (by cab) so I wasn’t there for a week all at once but have made at least 8 trips there for testing when required. They like to use their own labs, etc. for the best results.

I have followed webinars/presentations online to learn about the ACTs, some sponsored by NJH, and also through online lung communities as I await my appointment next week. I believe my ID doctor will consider how to approach this issue when I see him. Much depends on my next CT scan and other tests on the day of my appointment.

Given my age, sometimes the antibiotics are best not given. ACTs can be very effective in certain cases and I’m hoping for that as my only treatment at this point in my life.

Wishing you the best!

Hello,
Yes, considering other NJH patients’ distances, I am closer than many. You are getting similar advice if you are nearer to the Tyler, TX facility.

I have made several trips to Denver from my location (by cab) so I wasn’t there for a week all at once but have made at least 8 trips there for testing when required. They like to use their own labs, etc. for the best results.

I have followed webinars/presentations online to learn about the ACTs, some sponsored by NJH, and also through online lung communities as I await my appointment next week. I believe my ID doctor will consider how to approach this issue when I see him. Much depends on my next CT scan and other tests on the day of my appointment.

Given my age, sometimes the antibiotics are best not given. ACTs can be very effective in certain cases and I’m hoping for that as my only treatment at this point in my life.

Wishing you the best!