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Why Are Cough Suppressants Bad For CF?

CowTown

New member
I was just reading through old posts here, and there was mention that cough suppressants are very bad for CF. Why? I take them often if I'm feeling crumy and need to sleep through the night. I've told my doctor that I take Theraflu sometimes or Nyquil cold pills when I have colds and he didn't say anything about it.

Has any one heard bad things?
 

CowTown

New member
I was just reading through old posts here, and there was mention that cough suppressants are very bad for CF. Why? I take them often if I'm feeling crumy and need to sleep through the night. I've told my doctor that I take Theraflu sometimes or Nyquil cold pills when I have colds and he didn't say anything about it.

Has any one heard bad things?
 

JBUCCA

New member
my dr said to help you sleep w/ out chocking your brains out, or every once in a while will not hurt.. remember anything in moderation is ok.... they just dont want you not to cough... cuse they want you to get all the mucus out.. but every once in a awhile to help sleep is fine just dont over do it... at least thats what i was told..
 

JBUCCA

New member
my dr said to help you sleep w/ out chocking your brains out, or every once in a while will not hurt.. remember anything in moderation is ok.... they just dont want you not to cough... cuse they want you to get all the mucus out.. but every once in a awhile to help sleep is fine just dont over do it... at least thats what i was told..
 

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
I think they say that because coughing is how CFer's move the mucus out of their lungs. If you were constantly suppressing your cough, it could cause a lung infection. And this is only my opinion, but...I think occasional use of them to get a good night sleep, or control them a bit during the day when you are sick would be okay as long are you are doing enough treatments during the day to bring up the mucus. Again, thats just my opinion.
 

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
I think they say that because coughing is how CFer's move the mucus out of their lungs. If you were constantly suppressing your cough, it could cause a lung infection. And this is only my opinion, but...I think occasional use of them to get a good night sleep, or control them a bit during the day when you are sick would be okay as long are you are doing enough treatments during the day to bring up the mucus. Again, thats just my opinion.
 

CowTown

New member
Got it. Thanks. I always feel that if you're feeling sick then the full night's sleep will do more good than the suppressant doing bad. I realize the mucus needs to get out, and that's most important.
 

CowTown

New member
Got it. Thanks. I always feel that if you're feeling sick then the full night's sleep will do more good than the suppressant doing bad. I realize the mucus needs to get out, and that's most important.
 

thelizardqueen

New member
I was told that when we take cough suppresents, we can't cough up mucus, therefor causing a build up. My doc doesn't recommend that I take them unless I'm up all night coughing and not able to sleep. Sort of like a last resort kind of thing.
 

thelizardqueen

New member
I was told that when we take cough suppresents, we can't cough up mucus, therefor causing a build up. My doc doesn't recommend that I take them unless I'm up all night coughing and not able to sleep. Sort of like a last resort kind of thing.
 

JazzysMom

New member
Its funny that you ask about this. Years ago when I read the story "Alex, The Life of a child". I specifically remember her taking cough medicine with codeine in it to surpress her cough. It shocked me since I know in general coughing is good. She, however; had severe hemoptysis which is why the codeine suppressant was prescribed. Still tho I cant imagine that!
 

JazzysMom

New member
Its funny that you ask about this. Years ago when I read the story "Alex, The Life of a child". I specifically remember her taking cough medicine with codeine in it to surpress her cough. It shocked me since I know in general coughing is good. She, however; had severe hemoptysis which is why the codeine suppressant was prescribed. Still tho I cant imagine that!
 

anonymous

New member
Yeah, I personally dont LIKE to take them unless i have to, i.e., unless I am really uncomfortable. I really like a good swig of nyquil though every once in a while

Caitlin
 

anonymous

New member
Yeah, I personally dont LIKE to take them unless i have to, i.e., unless I am really uncomfortable. I really like a good swig of nyquil though every once in a while

Caitlin
 

thelizardqueen

New member
I had severe hemoptysis two years ago, and the doc had me on a codeine cough suppresent at night so that I wouldn't cough blood up in my sleep and choke on it, as well as once during the days. Half the time I was loopy or sleeping. I was coughing up literally a CUP of blood per episode which was usually about 4 times a day, and was rushed to emergency numerous times during this time. This carried on for 2 months that I was on the suppresent. The only reason my doc wanted me on it, was because in this instant it was better not for me to cough and make the damage worse then what it was. So yeah, its scary - been there, done that!
 

thelizardqueen

New member
I had severe hemoptysis two years ago, and the doc had me on a codeine cough suppresent at night so that I wouldn't cough blood up in my sleep and choke on it, as well as once during the days. Half the time I was loopy or sleeping. I was coughing up literally a CUP of blood per episode which was usually about 4 times a day, and was rushed to emergency numerous times during this time. This carried on for 2 months that I was on the suppresent. The only reason my doc wanted me on it, was because in this instant it was better not for me to cough and make the damage worse then what it was. So yeah, its scary - been there, done that!
 

anonymous

New member
I prefer a shooter or two of sambuca. It really seems to work better than the over-the-counter stuff and other similar liquors. Anyone know why this might be? But don't forget the coffee bean!
 

anonymous

New member
I prefer a shooter or two of sambuca. It really seems to work better than the over-the-counter stuff and other similar liquors. Anyone know why this might be? But don't forget the coffee bean!
 
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