He cant stop coughing.

Thanks for this info. -good to know. Right now he is using the saline nebulizer, then vest and then Q-Var. He coughed off and on all day yesterday so we r trying this new strategy today. Fingers crossed! that coughing is so hard on the body (and the mind.)

@mirsy
Is your husband under medical care? If not this should be brought up to PCP or to pulmonologist.

Bottom line need to find out what causing it. So many things can. Allergies, sinus issues, bronchitis, etc.

You mentioned vest so would indicate is under doctor care.

I have constant coughing after I eat. I have been told have sensitivity and causing extreme mucus. So I try to watch what causes the coughing and excess mucus. I tried all those nasal inhalers that are steriods and also nasal irrigation. I found the nasal irrigation with saline very helpful. I take a inhaler medication my PCP recommended that really help with my coughing and mucus. It is suppose to be a daily inhaler but I only use it when bronchitis and coughing kicks up.

I think important to find out the cause so can treat the symptoms.

I was advised by my pulmonologist’s office to use warm water, squeeze of lemon and some honey. It helps when I have severe coughing spells. I usually get those coughing spells in the winter but so far this year I haven’t had it. I used to carry it in a thermos when I would go out because it was the only thing that helped me in the event one of those spells started up.

He has bronchiostatis. What is the name of the inhaler med your PCP recommended that helps w the cough?

Have you tried albuterol, it’s not clear from your post? Back in the day, long before BE/NTM, I think I was in my 20’s, I had a cold with cough and the cough I could not shake and it went on and on and seemed to be almost self-sustaining, the more coughing the more coughing. I was actually at the dermatologist and she was like “whoa, what’s going on”, I explained I wasn’t contagious anymore just had this crazy dry cough with a life of its own. She sent me to urgent care to get an inhaler. She said the cough from the cold irritated my airways and I needed to calm that down to break cycle. They put me on an albuterol inhaler, a few days later the cough stopped. It was like magic. Obviously, many here are dealing with more complicated issues but to your specific question as to whether albuterol can help with cough I can definitely say it did for me. I think one factor may be whether your husband cough is dry or wet/productive. If dry, I would definitely talk to his medical team about albuterol or something similar. If it is a wet/productive cough, that sounds like an exacerbation which may need antibiotics. I agree with others about reaching out to medical team to puzzle through.

@mirsy
The medication that worked for me is called: Wixela. It is a generic medication that contains Fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder.

My PCP and pulmonologist had me try many other inhalers and nothing worked like Wixela.

I was supposed to take it daily but found out I did not need to only when bronchitis kicks up and started coughing.

May not work for your husband like it worked for me as we are all different and he probably does not have the same issues I have nor the same triggers.

I also Have 2 NTM"S and Bronchiectasis. I have picked up some kind of weird virus that seems to be a cross between Covid and flu. However no fever or maybe just a little at times. The coughing is draining me too. I take allergy meds, saline, do my vest , take Nyquill at night. But I waited way too long to call Dr for help. Been 15 days of living like this. So exhausted most days and can barely get off the couch. Hubby has something too but it appears different in him. MIne is my lungs and his is in his sinus, both have bad headaches and my skin hurts. I have issues with lungs and hubby doesn't so he is recovering better than me. DR called in Predisone and antibiotics for me. I just waited too long to call in and get help. I am just today, beginning to see the end of this tunnel. I think the antibiotic is drying up the discolored muscus and the steroids are helping me breath. CAll your DR. now and tell him what is up. Don't wait like I did.

Thank you for this info. - interesting - will research it - I wonder if Fluticasone by itself can stop the coughing?

When I’m doing my nebulizer treatments, I sometimes cough so hard I almost pass out.
Tom