how much longer will i be coughing?

[Goodsoulette]

I started feeling lousy last week, just a virus. This played a little havoc with my asthma. Basically, I ended up getting rushed into a and e from my doctors and nebulised 5 times. I've wangled my way out of staying in but I can't stop coughing and I have quite a noticible stridor which the doctor reckoned was tracheitis. Anyone had this and know how long it will last for? I sound like crap and promised work I would be back tomorrow at 2 :S

[marie26]

Have you measured your Peaf Flow? I would suggest that you should take your blue/ reliever inhaler more often than usual until your coughing settles down. If you have been given a course of steroids you should complete it, and make sure that you are taking your steroid/preventer inhaler. If you do not have a course of steroids, you could/should double up your dose of steroid inhaler. If you smoke, I would suggest that you stop (completely or for a while anyway), and many apologies if you do not smoke.

Keep up the increased inhaler use until your peak flow improves, and if it is only a quarter of your usual number, then I would suggest that you should be back in hospital. The coughing is troublesome, but indicates that your airways are swollen and inflammed; steam will help, but the most important thing is to keep your airway/tubes open by increasing your inhalers as I have suggested.

i hope that you are better soon.

[Goodsoulette]

Sorry Marie thanks for your answer. I happened to discover that tramadol suppressed my cough that night by accident and doctor let me keep taking it. The asthma wasn't really the problem it was the stridor from the tracheitis. However, I do need to keep on top of that it seems and finish all my steroids this time :S