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Aussie Barb
Research Team
| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
| Location: | Australia |
| Posts: | 19257 |
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Posted: Sun Aug 20th, 2006 03:43 |
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What can I do for my intolerable cough?
Cold-like symptoms, including coughing, are a common immune system reaction. Getting well with the Marshall Protocol always involves immune system reactions. These reactions can be symptoms you currently have, symptoms you've had before or brand new symptoms. See Immunopathology(Herx)....What is it?
Dr Marshall wrote: "The MP will make no difference to the course of a cold. If anything, it will allow the immune system a better chance to fight the virus. On the other hand, flu-like symptoms are a very common manifestation of immunopathology. They come and go more quickly than a viral cold does."
"Pay attention to the nature of the cough. As the immune system starts to properly work again, the coughing changes perceptibly. Whereas the coughing of sarcoidosis is shallow and non-productive, once the immune system kicks back in the coughing is always productive, and usually involves more chest muscles, particularly the lower ones."
..Trevor..
"A cough can develop at any time in sarcoidosis. It can be related to anything from upper respiratory involvement and post-nasal drip to chest involvement or even triggered by exposure to dust, fungus, odors or fumes.
You should monitor coughing as you would any other symptom of immunopathology to keep it tolerable. Coughing can be very tiring - not just to you, but to others around you. The physical exertion as well as the sound tends to be a mental drain as well. Most of the coughing associated with sarcoidosis doesn't bring up phlegm, which may worry some folks as well (because it is non-productive).
I found that immunopathology resulted in coughing and breathing difficulties on the MP, it was imperative that I stop and rest. Even if I didn't fall asleep, frequent resting helped improve coughing and fatigue. So, rest.. rest.. rest." ~Belinda
Managing Immunopathology by adjusting MP meds should be your first priority. Do not hesitate to use any of the meds adjustments options in My immune system reaction is too strong. What should I do? Ask a moderator if you need assistance. If these measures fail to reduce your cough to tolerable levels, you may ask your doctor about the use of palliative medication.
Non-medication strategies
-Drink more fluids. Water helps loosen mucus and soothe an irritated throat.
-Elevate your head with extra pillows at night to ease a dry cough.
-Try a cough drop to soothe an irritated throat. Expensive medicine-flavored cough drops are not any better than inexpensive candy-flavored ones or hard candy. Most cough drops have no effect on the cough-producing mechanism. If you do an Internet search you should be able to find cough drops that are sweetened with sucralose instead of sugar. Here is one example: http://tinyurl.com/ruuo4
-Avoid exposure to inhaled irritants, such as smoke, dust, or other pollutants, or wear a face mask that is appropriate for the exposure.
Palliative medication for intolerable coughing
Expectorants
Expectorants may help thin the mucus (phlegm) and make it easier to expectorate it when you have a productive cough. An expectorant is helpful if you have a cough that produces thick mucus and you are having difficulty coughing it up.
Guaifenesin works by drawing water into the bronchi. The water both thins mucus and lubricates the airway, facilitating the removal of mucus by coughing. One may notice a sense of dry mouth when taking this medication. Water consumption is important, not only to help with dry mouth, but also to improve the effectiveness of the drug.
Guaifenesin is sold as pills or syrups under several brand names such as Guai-Aid, GuaiLife, Ethex 208, Humibid, Mucinex, and Robitussin.
You may wish to discuss with your doctor the use of guaifenisin. Others on the MP are using it with good success and you may find it helpful too.
Single ingredient guiafenesin (tablets or liquid) are preferable to any combination products which may contain ingredients such as decongestants, antihistamines or cough suppressants which you may not need. Be sure you know what you are taking.
Following, a respected and knowledgeable MPer shares his experience with guaifenesin.
"I want to share with you something that I found helpful even before the MP for dealing with my breathing difficulty especially at night. I still use it because it helps and it does not interact with the MP.
For about 6 months I had not been able to lay on my left side because of difficulty in breathing, and the pressure I would feel in my chest. I could not lie on my right side either but that is another story. Not being one to sleep on my belly all I could do was sleep straight on my back. Being a pharmacist I thought to myself I would start taking some guaifenisin, since I thought intuitively that it could help. But, maybe because I am a pharmacist and not liking to take medications (or plain laziness) I never did.
Then in Aug. 04, I caught a cold. I remember thinking if I can make it to the morning I am going to have to go to the hospital and get help or else. Well, not liking hospitals either, morning came and I began taking guiafenesin (600mg every 6 hours). Within a couple of days I was doing better, and in about two weeks I found that I could tolerate laying on my left side for a few minutes. And over the next few weeks I got to the point that I could turn during the night and sleep on my left side.
I have continued to take the guaifenesin sometimes reducing it to twice a day (in the morning and at night). But as soon as I suspect that I am getting a cold I put it back up to every 6 hours. If I wait, I go through a similar bad experience. I believe that the action of reducing the viscosity of the secretions helps me eliminate them easier. After seeing the inflamation in the photos taken of my trachea during a bronchoscopy I realized why I was having so much difficulty.
Guaifenesin helps me move my secretions. Its purpose is to thin the mucous to facilitate its normal elimination from the airway. To this day I still take it Q 8 and increase it to Q 6 if I get a cold to prevent the secretions from accumulating in my bronchioles. I believe that my pulmonary obstructions from the inflamation create enough of a resistance that I cannot clear the secretions from my lungs under these circumstances. And, until the obstruction resolves I intend to continue since from trial and error I know how it helps me.
If secretions are thin stop taking it, and if you need it in a few days to maybe try a reduced dosage. This medication is a prn (take as needed) type and if not needed, dont take it. The other observation I would like to make is that mucus that is moving is better than mucus that is trapped in the lung creating an impediment to breathing. That is a call each individual needs to make on what is happening with him/her. "
Cough suppressants
Persistent coughing can strain the muscles or ligaments of the chest wall. When these muscles are strained, even normal breathing can cause mild chest pain. See Chest wall pain. Constant coughing can be exhausting or occur when you are trying to sleep.
If chest wall pain, fatigue or insomnia due to coughing become intolerable, it is helpful to suppress your cough.
Cough suppressants should be used carefully if your cough is wet-sounding and produces mucous (phlegm) because it is important to cough up this mucous to prevent an acute respiratory infection. If your cough is usually productive but you need to suppress it to get some relief, use only enough cough suppressant to keep chest wall pain and/or fatigue tolerable or only when you must get some sleep.
Dextromethorphan acts on the center in the brain that controls the cough reflex. It is available over the counter and is an ingredient in many cough medicines, such as Vicks Formula 44, Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps, Sucrets Cough Control, Benylin DM and some Robitussin products. It rarely causes side effects, although an upset stomach or drowsiness can occur.
Many OTC cough medicines are combinations products that contain other ingredients beside a cough suppressant, such as an expectorant, decongestant or antihistamine. Look for a single ingredient dextromethorphan product. Even if you also need an expectorant, single use products allow you better control so you are only taking one medication, as needed, for one specific purpose. For example, you may use an expectorant during the daytime and a cough suppressant at nighttime when you want to sleep.
Codeine is an opioid (narcotic) that acts on the vegas nerve to suppress coughing. It is available only by prescription in many states. However, other states permit pharmacists to sell cough remedies containing codeine without a prescription if the customer signs for it. Because codeine is an opioid, some people fear it may be addicting. In reality, addiction is uncommon. Codeine can be helpful at bedtime because of its slight sedative effect.
Theobromine, also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacoa plant, and is therefore found in chocolate. "Recent studies have found that theobromine, which is a compound found in cacao, is more effective as a cough suppressant than prescription codeine. This molecule suppresses the 'itch' signal from the nerve in the back of the throat that causes the cough reflex. It is possible to get an effective dose from 50g of dark chocolate, which contain 2-10 times more cocao than milk chocolate. Theobromine was also free of side effects in the blind tests.[1]" Persistent coughs melt away with chocolate
Dark chocolate candy has a high sugar content to counteract the natural bitterness. Sugar-free dark chocolate can be found. Here is one online source:
http://www.lowcarbchocolates.com/rossbars.html
They sell a dark chocolate bar is 34g and is sweetened with maltitol (note the side effects). Note that this is a relatively large amount of chocolate to reach the suggested effective dose of 50g. This company has a sale each Spring and Fall. You may ask to be put on their email list if you are interested.
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If your progress on the MP is hampered in any way, then you should reexamine your medications.
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See also:
What should I know about respiratory immunopathology?
Breathing Tips
My breathing is worse. What should I do?
My doctor thinks I have an upper respiratory infection. What should I do? (Sinus infection, cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis)
What is cardiac immunopathology? When should I be concerned?
Tools to check
Is it an allergy or is it an immune system reaction?
My respiratory function is poor. How can I prevent an acute infection?
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If you feel that you are in an emergency situation, do not hesitate to seek emergency assistance.
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Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| 24+ years not Dx| ABCofMP
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 01:36 |
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(filelink)
Coughing and fainting
Cough syncope (brief unconsciousness following cough) is one of the most common complications from a cough. Coughing is just one situation that can trigger syncope; others are fear, emotions, having blood drawn or straining while urinating or defecating.
In any of these situations, the body may have an involuntary neurological reaction called a vasovagal reaction. (See Managing a Vasovagal Reaction)
With the vasovagal reaction, the heart rate slows, so there is less blood flow to the brain, which can result in syncope (fainting). The body may also conserve the flow of blood to the legs.
You should be aware that when a vasovagal reaction occurs, it may not be safe to drive. You will want to pull off the road and stop until these symptoms reside: coughing and feeling weak or sweaty, which may precede loss of consciousness. ~Belinda
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