chronic cough

[msopie]

I have a chronic cough that is caused by a tickle in my throat,in the day time it is usually when I am in a confined area such as church-in a meeting etc. At night when I go to bed I wheeze and cough. I have had a test for asthma and it  was negative . also had chest x-ray which turned out to be fine

[National Jewish Health]

The most common causes of a chronic cough, such as yours are asthma, post-nasal drip (secondary to nasal and/or sinus inflammation)  and gastroesophageal reflux disease (also called acid reflux or GERD).  The diagnosis of asthma should be reconsidered, despite the negative test for asthma especially with the history of wheezing,   If the test was not a methacholine challenge, that is a test for asthma that should be performed.  Even if borderline or negative, a trial of asthma therapy and/or a trial of an inhaled nasal steroid, might be worth considering.

And you should be tested for GERD (see above), with a pH probe and/or direct examination of your esophagus.  

Post nasal drip may require CT Scanning of your nose and sinuses.

You note that the cough is worse in confined areas and/or meetings.  This is most likely related to anxiety that you are about to cough.  

Good news that your chest X-ray was normal.

Good luck

[msopie]

what kind of test is a kind of test is a methacholine challenge?
thanks so much for the imformation