Comments on Allergies and Asthma: Chronic Cough Workup, Part III

I must say reading what y'all have written isn't v...

2009-06-21T16:20:52.442-04:00

I must say reading what y'all have written isn't very encouraging. I have had a cough for a couple years, but not consistently. Likewise the clearing throat thing. But this spring, both hit me at the same time. I seriously wonder if flood mold could be the culprit. I've been through 3 courses of antibiotic (one sulfa based and the other two I've never heard of). While the amount of mucus is less, I still get coughing attacks. The problem that I have is that I am so out of breath. I walk to the barn to feed and have to sit down to recover . . . usually coughing. Two days ago I had a Pulmonary Function Test (don't know the results yet) but I was completely wiped out all day yesterday.

I guess after reading you comments I will at least be aware enough to ask questions, and push really hard to find the underlying problem and not just work to cover up the symptoms.

Thanks so much for your unplanned support.

I am very thankful that there are others who have ...

2009-05-25T22:27:41.586-04:00

I am very thankful that there are others who have the same coughing problems that I do. I have had the cough for almost 20 years and no one can help. It is getting worse as I get older. I have been to the Mayo Clinic and after 3 weeks of extensive testing I was told it was all in my head. I was making myself cough for the attention. Right!! I was treated for Asthma for 10 years only to be told recently that I never had it.
There are times the cough is so bad that I either throw-up or pass out. When I tell doctors this they tell me that this is normal for a chronic cough. I do not believe this is normal to cough so much you pass out. Does any one have any answers for that?
I to have been to all the ent's, lung specalists', allergist and still no answers.
I have 3 sisters who also have this same cough. They live in different parts of the US. Does anyone have other family members with the same coughing?
If any one has any ideas I will be open to any thing. thanks

I was sick awhile ago and now I have this cough th...

2009-05-14T22:29:00.000-04:00

I was sick awhile ago and now I have this cough that feels like something is stuck in my chest I can hear it when I breath, I cant even laught ewith out coughing, and sometime, I feel like I'm going to gag and throw up, its been driving me crazy!. I have no insurance so really would like some help!!!
Also I know mold in my house, which hopefully will be taken care of soon, in laundry room, so I keep door closed.

I have had coughing issues for several years, but ...

2009-05-11T19:53:00.000-04:00

I have had coughing issues for several years, but over the past two years it has become chronic. It is very dishearting to have coughing attacks every day. I have tried to go back in time to see if there was something that might have triggered the change in the frequency and intensity of the coughing. I had several heart issues. As a result of this condition, I have been put on several new medication and some have coughing as a potential side effect which should subside over time. Enough time has gone by. As has been stated by many commentators, they find that they are not alone with this condition, which is true for myself as well. Due to my various medical issues and the pain associated with them; I am in a pain management program. The mediations (morphine) are a help to me but not a cure. I am still looking for permenant relief from this chronic coughing. I will continue to come to this site as it gives the most information from the population that deals with this condition on a daily basis.

my husband coughs regularly. I have known him for ...

2009-05-11T11:16:00.000-04:00

my husband coughs regularly. I have known him for 14 yrs.
Every time he coughs, it sounds like he starts to choke, and then it is ALWAYS followed by a sneeze.
WHAT IS THIS? His mother cough/chokes also.
My husband cannot even laugh hard without coughing/choking/sneezing.
Does anyone have a clue what this is???
frustrated..

For all those with chronic cough who have done all...

2009-05-05T16:49:00.000-04:00

For all those with chronic cough who have done all the workup (pulminologist, gastro, CTs, chest x-rays, allergies, etc), check out "laryngeal sensory neuropathy". I started using gabapentin (neurontin) up to a pretty high dose and it has helped. At first it completely eliminated my cough. My cough always got worse whenever I got a cold, to the point of puking my guts out 24x7 (unless I had Hydrocodone/tussionex or Codeine available to suppress it). Recently the cough is getting worse and gabapentin isn't cutting it anymore, but it definitely helps... Your mileage may vary - I had to do my own research and take it to the Dr. - Nobody I saw ever suggested this approach to me.

Wow, I am absolutely shocked to read so many peopl...

2009-05-01T13:32:00.000-04:00

Wow, I am absolutely shocked to read so many people are experiencing the same things I am with the chronic coughing. It's kinda comforting to know that I'm not the only one who's affected by this on a daily basis, but it's also sad to see that no one can find answers. I have missed so much work over this because it is physically draining. You would think that if so many of us are all experiencing the same symptoms, the same testings, and the same drug prescriptions with no results, that there would be more research being done to find answers. I too find that ice water and cough drops are the only things that help keep it calm for me. I just wish it would go away for good!

My children suffer from the same chronic cough eve...

2009-04-04T21:42:00.000-04:00

My children suffer from the same chronic cough everyone is talking about. There cough is due to mold from the apartment we lived in for the past 4 years. Since we have moved into our new house there cough has subsided greatly!! They are still on a nebulizer twice a day albuterol in the morning and pulmecourt before bed. They use to cough every single night for hours. In the past month they have only coughed mabey one night and it was very short lived. I would highley recomend that very one check there inside enviroment for mold where every u spend most of your time. Then get out fast!!!!

exI have been diag. with Pulminary Fibrosis,have h...

2009-04-01T22:30:00.000-04:00

exI have been diag. with Pulminary Fibrosis,have had a cronic cough for 2 years, rib's are constanly sore, must sleep in a chair before I can get into bed, this goes on until 2-3 in the morning. I can take the codein at night, but any Ideas about what will stop my cough,during the day. OTC drugs work for an hour!!! help

I too have been coughing for over 8 years now. I ...

2009-03-26T16:40:00.000-04:00

I too have been coughing for over 8 years now. I do not have asthma or any allergies. I have very mild reflux which should not cause the violent attacks that I have which make me throw up about 5-7 times a week. I have coughing attacks at least 3-4 times per day. The strange thing is I never cough when I am exercising or playing sports. I have tried every asthma medication, nexium,prilosec otc, and about 1/2 dozen other drugs. It is really exhausting and can be very embarrassing. I even carry a note when I fly that states my cough is not contagious. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I haven't read all comments, but I too had a chron...

2009-03-26T03:02:00.000-04:00

I haven't read all comments, but I too had a chronic cough for YEARS and sought treatment from ENT's and allergists. I had a drawer full of expensive inhalers, chest xrays, and I even tried allergy shots (one allergist tested me and prescribed regular shots yet another doctor redid the testing and said I wasn't very allergic and shots wouldn't help). The last doctor told me to try therapy to learn how to talk without coughing.

I was having difficulty sleeping through the night for other reasons (menapause symptom) and a friend suggested I take Tylenol PM to help me sleep. After about a week of taking 1/2 a tablet before bedtime, not only did I sleep through the night, my cough had almost stopped completely. My friends, family and coworkers have all noticed that I rarely cough anymore. It's like a miracle. After hundreds of dollars, shots, inhalers, doctors appointments, etc. a simple antihistamine has solved my problem. It's fairly harmless, so I would suggest you give it a try and see if it helps you.

I am now taking a different antihistamine without the pain reliever and its working.

If you have a comment about this blog post, you ar...

2009-03-22T14:55:00.000-04:00

If you have a comment about this blog post, you are in the right place. However, if you have a question for one of our health experts or wish to talk with other members, please visit the appropriate message board. If your question is urgent, you should of course consult your own physician.

Has anyone heard of "Nuro Loop Cough"? Can't seem...

2009-03-21T22:40:00.000-04:00

Has anyone heard of "Nuro Loop Cough"? Can't seem to find much on internet and this is what my ENT says I have...My cough has lasted over 17 years, been tested and treated for all the above issues, been on a hundred or so drugs, I am at my whits end... Can't hold a job down to the cough and all the symptoms that go with it. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING TO ALL OF US, WHO CAN GIVE SOME ADVISE OR ASSISTANCE? HELP...PLEASE, HELP US!

I have had a chronic cough going on 30 years. I h...

2009-03-15T13:10:00.000-04:00

I have had a chronic cough going on 30 years. I have had every test availableitrecently went to a new doctor, an ENT and he was amazed at the size of my uvula. He said it is large and long thus probably touching the back of my throat and making me cough. I am having some (uvula)removed and hope that helps. I will do anything at this point! I hope it works.

t

I can't believe how many of you are suffering the ...

2009-03-10T09:37:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how many of you are suffering the same chronic cough that I have. I have had this for around 25 years. I believe it started when I had pnemonia. After that every time I caught a cold the cough would linger until finally it never went away. I have so many triggers, perfume, some cooking foods, spicy food, ice cream, air freshner. I many times have what I call a coughing attack where I can't catch my breath and then cough until I throw up, this sometimes lasts 15 to 20 minutes. I also feel very selfconscious at social functions and find myself refusing to go to many things. Interestingly I have 2 brothers who have developed this cough just not quite to the extent that I have it.
I have been to every specialist and spent my thousands of dollars on tests only to be told I'll have to live with this. But I'm tired and would love to find a cure.

I am so glad to hear I am not going crazy. I too h...

2009-03-05T11:29:00.000-05:00

I am so glad to hear I am not going crazy. I too have had this chronic cough for 17+ years. Unable to function on a daily basis with no reason or trigger why I cough. I also cough until I throwing up to unconsciousness. Been tested, probed, seen mental doctors and taken so many medications I cannot count anymore. I am so frustrated I now take 200mg Zolof just to cope with everyday life...Has anyone been to or requested info from the Mayo Clinic? I heard they take on strange and unexplained cases. Are there any doctors out there that could suggest anywhere else we might be able to get answers or HELP??? Tired of coughing....

I've had the chronic dry cough for over a year, ev...

2009-03-05T10:58:00.000-05:00

I've had the chronic dry cough for over a year, ever since I had surgery on my achilles tendon. Mucinex DM is the only thing that will calm it down, but it does not make it go away. Tried inhalers also, they didn't work. I have coughing fits at work so bad I have to go hide in the bathroom. Trying to sleep is a joke, the tickle starts immediately after laying down. I've been to ENT and pulmonary doctors, they're all baffled. I don't have acid reflux, but am supposed to take the barium swallow test next week - just to be sure! Also scheduled for a CT, but after reading all these posts, am thinking of cancelling both instead of wasting money on them. It's amazing how hard it is to function when you're sleep deprived!

I have a chronic cough as well. But it's so minor ...

2009-03-03T20:30:00.000-05:00

I have a chronic cough as well. But it's so minor and rarely a problem. I cough when it's cold air, or a drink is to cold, I cough when there are strange fumes. More in the moring when I wake up with post nasal drip as well as coughing so hard I throw up. I've noticed if I throw up it includes phegm which can upset the stomach. Albuterol helps in these situations but ultim ately you have to find a way toprevent the phelgm and dry it up with meds or with sinuse rinses. I have been diagnosed with asthma, allergies and acid reflux which all contribute. Yeast overgrowth and stress are triggers too. I do take asthma & allergy meds and acid reducers from time to time but only for certain periods like during a cold or my worst allergy season. I try to avoid the meds by taking natutral supplements and eating organic when possible. There is so much crap that can trigger asthma and inflammation in our foods. Like nitrates in meat.

My condition is generally under control through natural means now. Why aren't vitamins and supplements here? You find plenty of articles here about omega 3 that help reduce inflammation, what about a fungus infection of the sinuses that triggers plegm production, or yeast overgrowth that inhibits the immune system? Grape Skin and Apple Skin Extracts help with allergies too.
Also echinacea helps with bronchitis and sinus infections. Many people do have asthma or COPD as the article states but their doctors refuse to diagonose it if they don't see weezing or tradtional symptoms. See an astma allergist speicalist that can test what you are allergic too. If you have drip or cough up crap somehting is wrong with you and can be done. If no moist stuff then it can be acid reflux irritating the throat and causing a cough. Also food allergies can tigger and cause acid reflux,plus inflammation to any mucous membranes as well as send out histamines that trigger symptoms of swelling and mucous secretion. Try researching alternative health practioners whom can test to see if your indocirine system is affected and they can actually help you overcome some allergies to food, through enzyme therapy and they are also more willing to treat yeast overgrowth. Eating real yogurt or taking refrigerated supplement aid digestions and increase immune system response. Also Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc and D are responsible for keeping the immune system up. Calcium and Magnesium also play a role in relazing and calming down the body. It's important not give up or to take your doctors word for it. Keep researching the net. My doctor reccomended the Neil Med sinus rinse kit and it works wonders on sinus irritaions and colds. A lot of our problems are due to pollution in the air. If you can give your immune system a boost by eating healthier and taking supplements to fight it why not try it instead of drugs?
Finally for the little ones Trader Joes sells great Gummy vitamins with Omega 3. Helps with focus and ADD too. Don't forget about building sickness. You could have black mold lurking in a building or home. This is what they found in the classroom wall where I taught in in which I year long chronic bronchitis or walking pnemonia. Glad I got out of there. Get your air conditioner and heating vents cleaned out and hepa filters installed. Demand this of your work place too. They have to accomadate you by law.

I have been coughing for the past five years. One ...

2009-03-02T18:45:00.000-05:00

I have been coughing for the past five years. One of the triggers is seasonal changes, any time the tempature changes (30degrees one day, then 50 degrees the next) I start to cough. Usually accompanyed with constant clearing of my throat followed by laryngitis that can last up to a month. The other trigger talking too much, singing or raising my voice. I constantly have cough drops and drink water. Like many of you I have been to countless doctors with no permanent relief, they have diagnosed it is a seasonal cough. All of the meds prescribed nothing worked except a presription cough syrup that settles the cough but make me sleeply, so I can only use it at night or when I am going to be home all day. I would like to stop coughing and constantly treating laryngitis.Has anyone found the cause or treatment to cure this problem.

I too have been a sufferer of that nasty cough tha...

2009-02-27T01:43:00.000-05:00

I too have been a sufferer of that nasty cough that won't go away. I had sinus surgury for a deviated septum and he discovered a bone spur that developed after a childhood accident that broke my nose. Well, after the surgery for my many severe sinus infections 5 years ago, I don't get them very often at all any more, but I can feel the drain in the back of my throat and I cough so bad sometimes I don't know if I am gonna puke or pee... unfortunately at times both. Dr's don't have a answer and meds aren't working. Sometimes I wish I didn't get the surgery, yeah I got infections all the time, but I didn't have this near crippling cough then.

Also for those of you concerned about environmental triggers... look into the air purifiers, my mother swore by this and you know there is a problem in your home when even as spotless as it looks the things that filter come out with a thick black film on them. Too bad they are so darn expensive. Hers lasted like 5 years I think, but she was also a smoker who used hers on the high setting. How they can turn black in a suposedly clean home is beyond me (maybe from the smoking I dunno). Maybe I'll save up and buy one for myself and see if it helps my sinuses.

http://www.air-purifiers-america.com/product.asp?product=A350W

Hope this helps. God bless and may us all find easier breathing.

I do not have a chronic cough but one thought did ...

2009-02-20T20:09:00.000-05:00

I do not have a chronic cough but one thought did cross my mind. First many of you have no symptoms other than the cough and have at the same time become very conscious about it. Perhaps (I'm not a doctor) its a form of anxiety. I have an employee who for no reason would while driving would get so tired he would have to pull the car over for fear of falling asleep. He finally went to the doctor and the best guess was that it was anxiety related. Apparently it can manifest itself in many different forms from panic attacks to strange things such as this. For whatever reason the panic attacks can become attached to certain things. Perhaps the unexplained coughing fits are really anxiety attacks. Shortness of breath is common with anxiety attacks and fear of not being able to breath. Perhaps your coughing attacks are actually anxiety attacks.

There are different drugs for helping with anxiety attacks.

later,

john

Just like everyone else, I have a chronic cough th...

2009-02-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

Just like everyone else, I have a chronic cough that just won't go away. It has been about six years. I also cough bouts, which result in vomitting or cause me to stop breathing for about 15 seconds.

I have been from doctor to doctor. I had my uvula trimmed in December at the recommendation of my latest ENT. This did not work. I have no quality of life. When I go anywhere in public, I spend most of my time concentrating on not having a coughing attack.

I do not know what to do at this point either and understand everyone's frustrations.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this pro...

2009-02-17T05:21:00.000-05:00

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem. I have so much sinus drainage, that it sounds like bubbles in my throat at times,causing me to cough. sometimes I cough in the mornings from sinus drainage,to the point of almost throwing up.I feel like if I could stop the sinus drainage. I would be o.k. Drixoral used to work perfectly until it was taken off the market I am so tired of the constant coughing and hacking, I just want to scream!!

Update to the evil 13 month cough:Insurance approv...

2009-01-09T21:48:00.000-05:00

Update to the evil 13 month cough:

Insurance approved the nebulized lidocaine treatments and so far today they seem to help. I'm on 2ml 3x daily and the cough isn't gone yet but it's certainly not what it's been. I'd say it helps if nothing else, haven't had the Tussonex in a day and a half now.

This is progress.

Doctor has recanted or maybe I misunderstood the bronchitis diagnosis. Seems the lab said it's a bronchitis like inflammation in the tissue but the cause is still an unsolved mystery. Research partner is the next stop in a few weeks. If anything useful comes up I'll get back on here.

Same here, had it 13 months, one specialist said c...

2009-01-09T06:57:00.000-05:00

Same here, had it 13 months, one specialist said chronic bronchitis, another said no, it's asthma, but I passed the challenge test and asthma meds don't work. Now he's saying it's bronchitis after telling me for 4 months there's no way it could be bronchitis.

Had a bronchoscopy done, CT, XRAY's, challenge test for asthma, every asthma med known to man, GERD stuff, antihistimines, 62 pricks and 12 shots for allergen testing, missed 90 days of work in 2008 for this when the specialist thought maybe I just need to heal and had me at home on Tussonex, which didn't help. Well the Tussonex kicked the cough but as soon as I went of it, it returned.

This sucks. I'm heading up to Mayo in a few months.