Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 13:32:47 GMT -5
For the past year plus, I have suffered off and on from a very persistant dry, hacking cough. I will cough for a few months, then it stops, then it starts again. I cough so hard that sometimes I get light-headed, sometimes I vomit, sometimes I get a pounding headache. When it is on, I cough non-stop day and night, making normal conversation difficult. Also, it is hard to rest and I start the day exhausted.
It sounds like a minor complaint, but I tell you, it is miserable. Getting through the day is a trial.
My GP has prescribed various suppressant syrups, inhalers, steroids (for allergies) and sent me for chest x-rays (clear). Nothing has helped, and she has no diagnosis.
On the 29th, I will be seeing a pulmonologist. I seriously hope he will pin-point the problem.
Has anyone out there experienced anything similar, or known anyone who did?
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Oct 18, 2012 13:36:04 GMT -5
That sounds miserable. I don't have any insight but hope you find a solution. I cough some certain times of the year due to allergies but nothing like what you are describing.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Oct 18, 2012 13:52:55 GMT -5
I get that occassionally after I get sick & it can last for months & months if I don't get to the doc (I have tried to wait it out before). For me, I finally learned it is basically asthma causing the cough although it doesn't feel like asthma. I don't feel like I can't breath (which is how you typically think of asthma), but my lungs are constantly irritated.
I am on daily asthma & allergy meds which work fine unless something sets off my system. Then the regular stuff just isn't enough & I need a higher dose of meds & nebulizers & sometimes steroids to kick start my system. I've tried cough meds before and although some of them help temporarily it doesn't fix the base problem that my asthma is acting up & my lungs are irritated. Chest x-rays would come back clear as well for me because there is nothing in there creating a problem. The lung tissue itself it swollen & sensitive, causing me to cough.
Hopefully a pulmonologist will help identify your problem because I know how horrible it can be to have a cough for months on end.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 18, 2012 14:10:11 GMT -5
Sounds like what I had/have. I definitely woke up in the middle of the night from not being able to breath in a coughing fit and throwing up. (In fact, if I can't get to my inhaler fast enough now my body still reacts by throwing up, ugh) Getting sick made it 10x worse. All my tests came back normal, even what the pulmonologist runs. They tried me on acid reflux (nothing), singulair (nothing), and finally an asthma steroid inhaler. It stopped the cough and I was diagnosed with cough variant asthma. I went on a daily inhaler for about a year and was given a rescue inhaler. At some point I went back on singulair too. I've been off all daily medications for CVA for several years now. I only need a rescue inhaler every couple of months, and when I get sick it often moves into my chest (causing me to need a steroid shot).
ETA: Only the hydrocodone cough syrups can actually stop me from coughing (though they don't make it go away and you're not supposed to take it long term). I can't remember if they gave me oral steroids before they tried the inhaled asthma steroids.
Actually, I just realized I'm older than I remembered. I was probably on daily inhaled steroids for 3 years before I asked my Dr to wean me off and see if I'd be ok and it's been about 3 years since then.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 14:10:17 GMT -5
Coughing is usually a sign I'm having trouble with asthma.
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kgb18
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Post by kgb18 on Oct 18, 2012 14:32:05 GMT -5
No advice, but I hope you feel better and can get some answers.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Oct 18, 2012 14:52:40 GMT -5
Wow! I don't have any advice. I'm having a weird situation right now. I've been working from home for the past couple of months - started with bronchitis and antibiotics didn't help, so they put me on steriods and an inhaler. That didn't work. They tested me for TB and allergies - all normal. Chest X-Ray normal. Was referred to a pulmonologist who prescribed stronger steriods and cough medicine pills which does help, however I'm having trouble breathing, my chest feels tight and I get breathless if I talk much. I'm tired all the time too. Went to church last weekend and was home after about 2.5 hours then slept most of the afternoon.
I go back to the doctor on Monday and they will probably do a CAT scan and/or a scope to my lungs. I hope they can fix this thing and I can get back to work as I'm on FMLA and only working part time.
Hope you get better OP!
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Colleenz
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Post by Colleenz on Oct 18, 2012 14:54:58 GMT -5
Has your doctor done a thyroid panel?
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Oct 18, 2012 14:56:43 GMT -5
Colleenz - were you asking me? But no, they haven't done a thyroid panel that I know of.
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Bob Ross
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Post by Bob Ross on Oct 18, 2012 15:09:27 GMT -5
Has anyone out there experienced anything similar, or known anyone who did? Yup, and they died of cancer. Actually, they were hit by a bus. But if the bus hadn't gotten them, the cancer would have. I just know it.
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Colleenz
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Post by Colleenz on Oct 18, 2012 15:14:56 GMT -5
Sooty Anne, I was asking Petunia. Hacking cough can be one of those odd symptoms of early hypothyroidism. It creeps up on women and sometimes doctors forget to test for it periodically.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 15:27:41 GMT -5
Thank you for the feedback, everyone.
I did read online that 9% of people with acid reflux don't have the typical symptoms, but instead cough.
I do live in the central valley of California. I didn't have any allergies at all until my mid 30s, then a mold allergy came to light. I am in my mid 40s now, and know a new allergy isn't out of the question. The steroids didn't help, but perhaps I needed a different Rx?
Colleenz, I had a tumor on my thyroid and had 2/3 of it removed a few years back. I am on a replacement drug and have bloodwork every few months to see how I am doing on those thyroid functions. So, I think I am OK there.
I am planning a day trip to the coast on Saturday to see if being out of the valley relieves my symptoms. If this does turn out to be allergies, I think I will move to the desert.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Oct 18, 2012 15:36:51 GMT -5
Petunia & Anne: I'm not mentioning this to scare you, but only to be sure your doctor(s) rule this out. I lost a dear friend last year to lung cancer. And no, she never smoked. She only had an annoying cough that meds didn't help. If it had been caught earlier, she might have made it. So rule this out early.
I too have problems with coughing in the fall. I think my problem is allergies, because it seems to always happen at the same time of the year, and then goes away after the first hard frost...
Wishing both of you the best possible outcome!
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Oct 18, 2012 15:37:50 GMT -5
The steroids didn't help, but perhaps I needed a different Rx? What kind of steroid? If a high dose of prednisone for a few weeks didn't help, then I would be worried. If an inhaled steroid or low/short dose of prednisone didn't help, you might just need something stronger.
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Bluerobin
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Post by Bluerobin on Oct 18, 2012 15:38:29 GMT -5
Get a humidifier or vaporizer for your bedroom. It might help, and would be a cheap fix.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Oct 18, 2012 15:41:47 GMT -5
I agree with Blue! We actually boil water on the stove, and it does seem to help with the cough.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Oct 18, 2012 15:42:17 GMT -5
I have gotten something like that, although it never made me want to vomit. It seems to be related to my allergies. If I am having a bad allergy season and then I get a cold, I get post nasal drip that just doesn't go away and it causes the cough. My primary care physician thought that I might have allergy induced asthma, but I went to an allergist/asthma specialist and I don't have any asthma. I am currently getting allergy shots so hopefully in six months it will cease to be a problem. Before they came up with the allergy/asthma thing they looked into it being caused by acid reflux, which is another potential cause of that type of cough.
The things that have helped me are the good decongestants (pseudo-ephedrine), an albuterol inhaler, and the codeine cough syrup. I hate the side effects of the syrup so I won't use it anymore. Another thing that helps is modifying my environment to minimize my exposure to allergies, which stops the whole cycle from starting.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 15:48:35 GMT -5
The steroids didn't help, but perhaps I needed a different Rx? What kind of steroid? If a high dose of prednisone for a few weeks didn't help, then I would be worried. If an inhaled steroid or low/short dose of prednisone didn't help, you might just need something stronger. It was an inhaler, and I don't recall which specific steroid. I know it wasn't prednisone.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 15:51:56 GMT -5
Get a humidifier or vaporizer for your bedroom. It might help, and would be a cheap fix. You're right, I should try that. Getting enough sleep would be heaven. Even it doesn't help it won't hurt anything. Thanks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 15:52:34 GMT -5
Have the doctors ruled out Valley Fever?
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susanb
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Post by susanb on Oct 18, 2012 16:26:58 GMT -5
Aloe vera juice can provide a lot of relief to your throat and stop a coughing attack. It won't address the cause, but it can make the symptoms a lot more manageable.
A blended juice can be bought at a market or health food store. I wouldn't go with pure aloe juice because consuming too much will make you poo a lot.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Oct 18, 2012 16:45:30 GMT -5
Thank you for the feedback, everyone. I did read online that 9% of people with acid reflux don't have the typical symptoms, but instead cough. I do live in the central valley of California. I didn't have any allergies at all until my mid 30s, then a mold allergy came to light. I am in my mid 40s now, and know a new allergy isn't out of the question. The steroids didn't help, but perhaps I needed a different Rx? Colleenz, I had a tumor on my thyroid and had 2/3 of it removed a few years back. I am on a replacement drug and have bloodwork every few months to see how I am doing on those thyroid functions. So, I think I am OK there. I am planning a day trip to the coast on Saturday to see if being out of the valley relieves my symptoms. If this does turn out to be allergies, I think I will move to the desert. I live in the central valley of California, and I have severe/chronic asthma. I experienced almost 2 months of a dry hacking cough this summer which the doctors decided were just aggravations of my chronic asthma, coupled with really bad air quality this summer, worsened by a respiratory infection. I went on Zithromax and about 3 weeks later, it finally went away.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Oct 18, 2012 16:50:27 GMT -5
Could it be a reaction to a prescription?
A friends father gets a dry cough when he is on a specific medication. It only goes away when it is switched. He was just in for heart surgery and they had to change medications on him and he has been coughing again. Once he is more healed they will switch him back to get rid of the cough.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 17:14:54 GMT -5
Have the doctors ruled out Valley Fever? No, but she hasn't suggested it, either. I just Googled, and VF results in blood-tinged spectum. My cough is "unproductive", nothing comes up.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Oct 18, 2012 17:17:27 GMT -5
I live in the central valley of California, and I have severe/chronic asthma. I experienced almost 2 months of a dry hacking cough this summer which the doctors decided were just aggravations of my chronic asthma, coupled with really bad air quality this summer, worsened by a respiratory infection. I went on Zithromax and about 3 weeks later, it finally went away. So, it's something you're just going to have to live with? Or is Zithromax a permanent Rx?
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Oct 18, 2012 17:30:54 GMT -5
For the past year plus, I have suffered off and on from a very persistant dry, hacking cough. I will cough for a few months, then it stops, then it starts again. I cough so hard that sometimes I get light-headed, sometimes I vomit, sometimes I get a pounding headache. When it is on, I cough non-stop day and night, making normal conversation difficult. Also, it is hard to rest and I start the day exhausted. It sounds like a minor complaint, but I tell you, it is miserable. Getting through the day is a trial. My GP has prescribed various suppressant syrups, inhalers, steroids (for allergies) and sent me for chest x-rays (clear). Nothing has helped, and she has no diagnosis. On the 29th, I will be seeing a pulmonologist. I seriously hope he will pin-point the problem. Has anyone out there experienced anything similar, or known anyone who did? Petunia - I've been getting those every winter now for about 3 years so far. My doctor also x-rayed my lungs and found them clear. His final diagnoses was that I had an A-typical sinus infection. He put me on antibiotics for longer than usual and it mostly cleared up when the temps warmed up again. I do suffer from allergies and cough throughout the year but when the temps drop it starts up again and is constant. I call it my work out plan as my belly seems more toned when I cough like that. I hope that's all it is in your case too. Good luck on your tests that it's nothing bad. ETA: I had Grave's disease and my thyroid was removed about 20 years ago and I'm now on synthetic meds. ETA2: Zithromax is an antibiotic. Also known as Z-Pak. I don't think it would be a permanent Rx.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Oct 18, 2012 18:08:02 GMT -5
Are you taking any statin medications? Some people experience a nagging nonproductive cough is a side effect of certain statins.
Hope the pulmonologist can figure out what the problem is and put you on the road to feeling better.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Oct 18, 2012 21:11:55 GMT -5
I live in the central valley of California, and I have severe/chronic asthma. I experienced almost 2 months of a dry hacking cough this summer which the doctors decided were just aggravations of my chronic asthma, coupled with really bad air quality this summer, worsened by a respiratory infection. I went on Zithromax and about 3 weeks later, it finally went away. So, it's something you're just going to have to live with? Or is Zithromax a permanent Rx? I took the 5-day dose of Zithromax and within 3 weeks, the cough was gone. (Z-max can take a few weeks to clear things up) Doc suspected it was either bacterial pneumonia or pertussis or some other weird respiratory bug aggravating my asthma.
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andreawick
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Post by andreawick on Oct 18, 2012 21:33:07 GMT -5
That sounds miserable. I don't have any insight but hope you find a solution. I cough some certain times of the year due to allergies but nothing like what you are describing.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 18, 2012 22:30:51 GMT -5
It might also be that you need to try a different inhaled steroid. Not every asthma med works the same, so it might just be the one you're on doesn't work as well for you. I started off on one, but when I switched Drs he switched me to a different med to control it better and it did.
ETA: Have they given you a rescue inhaler? When I was in the midst of a fit it wouldn't stop it cold, but it would ease it up enough that I felt like I could breathe. If it helped, then that prob points to asthma even if your tests are normal. Not a Dr, but I tend to go by the if medicine for X stops my symptoms I prob have X and ask Drs if that medicine works for anything other than X.
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