Coughing in public

Posted by eileen86 @eileen86, 1 day ago

I have MAC and Bronchiectasis. I take azithromycin, ethambutol and Arikayce daily, which fortunately do not give me side effects. I also inhale Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol HFA and Albuterol inhalers. I take all these regularly.

My husband and I are going on a river cruise to celebrate our 50th anniversary, my first time ever. My question is related to the embarrassment I feel, especially at dinner, when I cough so much and sound disgusting. I also frequently clear my throat. How do you manage this? Is there anything I can do for just 11 days that will make me look and sound more normal?

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gallahad | @gallahad | 1 day ago

I too have bronchiectasis and cough and clear my throat often. We just returned from a cruise. I had shared my concerns about being in close proximity to people on the flights and on the boat. My Pulmonologist prescribed a 20 day course of prednisone starting with 20 mg for the first 5 days and stepping down each 5 days by 5 mg. It worked!! Not only did I not cough, I felt better and had more energy. Home now and within 2 days of taking my last dose I am coughing again.....but grateful for the temporary respite.

lvnl | @lvnl | 1 day ago

I have bronchiectasis also and have been prescribed benozonatate, a cough suppressant, for the "special occasions" when you really don't want to start coughing: movies, special family occasions etc, and also to suppress the cough enough at night to get some sleep when I recently had RSV which developed into pneumonia. You could ask your doc about whether it would be a good idea to help you enjoy the trip.
Generally we don't want to suppress our coughing, we need to cough to clear our lungs! But we also need to live life.

scoop | @scoop | 1 day ago

Coughing is one of the miserable side effects of this disease. If I am concerned about coughing at dinner, for instance, I'll clear my lungs (neb and saline) beforehand. And take a tessalon perle, along with having lozenges at the ready. Sootheez that Sue recommended are high in pectin and really help to kill the tickle I get before coughing. It's not fail proof but it works most of the time.

gem13 | @gem13 | 13 hours ago

Thank you for this topic. I have bronchiectasis and COPD. My coughing fits happen when I go to my exercise classes. I feel very self-conscious about coughing. I’m sure the exercise is what makes my cough productive. I appreciate these pointers on cough suppressants that can be prescribed.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 12 hours ago

In reply to @gem13 "Thank you for this topic. I have bronchiectasis and COPD. My coughing fits happen when I..." + (show)

@gem13 For sure the exercise helps with your airway clearance. It is my preferred method and the one recommended by my pulmonologist and many bronchiectasis experts like Dr Pamela McShane.

When I begin exercising with a new group, I always let the leader and my classmates know why I am coughing. They understand.

Since exercise clears my lungs, I would not consider using a cough suppressant in class. But I do consider it at some social gatherings and when eating out.