Consistent cough - for 10+ years - not a smoker diagnosed with cough variant asthma

[journey2motherhood]

I'm trying to find out more information about the cough I have had for several years now.  I was told it was a cough variant asthma.  I use singulair, advair, occasionally zrtec, nasal spray, cough medicine.  When it is more out of control than usual, I get a shot.  Honestly not sure what the heck is in the shot.  My biggest problem is with all of this I never get any relief.  I already go to a pulmonary specialist, been to asthma drs, I do not have acid reflux/gerd either.  I can't believe that for the rest of my life, I will always have this cough.  Any suggestions, advice, help!!

[journey2motherhood]

Really? Wow I never thought that a chiropractor would be able to help but I guess I could give that a try too.  

[achilles2]

I just know that a good chiropractor has helped both me and my sis. When it is bad her asthma is more of the coughing kind, mine is more the wheezing and cannot breathe.

[journey2motherhood]

No, I haven't tried that.  Why?  Do you or did you experience something like this and found a chiropractor to help? Thank you.

[achilles2]

I see you have tried a lot, I was wondering if you have tried a good chiropractor?

I hope you get your answers,
achilles2

[journey2motherhood]

Thank you!

[987931]

I had ponounced asthmatic symptoms. No wheezing, but I coudn't get enough air. My cough was fairly dry as well, although when I actually looked, I could see there were small amounts of quite viscous phlegm. I experienced coughing fits from time to time.

Take care.

[journey2motherhood]

Thank you for the info.  I just have a dry cough.  No wheezing, shortness of breath and my lungs are clear.  It's just a cough.  I haven't had an asthma attack in over 10 years either.  I will be going to new a pulmonary dr and I will ask her about that as well.  

So how bad was your asthma? Attacks  or just the coughing?

Thank you again.

[987931]

By the way, it has been stated in scientific literature that asthma associated with chlamydia pneumoniae (the bacteria) tends not to be resonsive to steroids.

ps: "cough-variant" asthma, in my view, means asthma associated with something that is causing a chronic cough, with bacterial infection being very high on the list of likely causes.

[987931]

See my post about antibiotics for asthma.

I had a cough for one year. I also found that corticosteroids did not help it, only beta agonists (long-acting or short) helped.

My cough produced quite viscous, yellow-green phlegm, at least most of the time.

I would strongly recommend you try N-acetylcysteine (NAC). It is an amino acid that is used to think mucous; and it is also likely to kill the bacteria I mention in their extracellular form. Antibiotics are required to properly treat it, but NAC could help you, as it did me. Also, if you get a flu-like reaction (like a Herxheimer reaction) within a few days of taking NAC, it's very likely you have the bacteria. (Not getting a reaction doesn't mean, though, that you don't have the bacteria).

Your doctor won't know about this, so if you are interested in pursuing it you'll have to do your own research. I wish it were easier, but that's the way it is right now.

[journey2motherhood]

Thank you for your help.  I just have some questions.  If I have sinusitis, wouldn't the nasal spray and antibiotics help with that?  I mean it never made a difference in the cough when I do use them.  I'm just wondering if there is something other than those medications that would help?  Also I can do the warm salt water gargles but not sure what kind of breathing exercises I can do. Thank you.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.
The other causes for long term cough besides asthma are GERD and post nasal drip from allergies. GERD has been ruled out for you. Post nasal drips can occur with sinusitis and throat infections. Talk to your GP about the other causes for cough, namely sinusitis. In the meantime you could try warm salt water gargles and breathing exercises. Also, have yourself reevaluated for Asthma, to see if its adequately controlled. Short course of steroids are given for severe asthmatic attacks.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.