chronic cough for 3 months

Hello Doctor,

I will tell you the history of my illness and the medication I took so far.

1) Got some sore throat and cough (mostly I get cough only when I get hungry)
2) Went to a doctor to be diagnosed as little pneumonia and took antibiotics for 5 days
3) My stomach went upset after having the antibiotics
4) Met a Gastroentrologist next time and he prescribed me omeprazole(20mg) for 15 days
5) Gastric problem seemed to better a little but not completely. Also cough did not go away all these days. I cough with little phlegm which is mostly clear.
6) Then I met another Gastro as I had to travel, who did an endoscopy to find mild ulcers in the esophagus and the stomach. He also diagnosed a relaxed LES. I did not have any reflux though.
7) I was given H.Pylori kit for 15 days and after that is over pantoprazole(40mg) for another 15 days.
8) My stomach got better after this but not my cough.

This cough still continues and occasionally I cough blood in phleghm.
When I cough, if I drink some water or eat something it gets suppressed for sometime.
Cough is severe when my tummy is empty.
If I lie down I do not have cough at all.
I feel the tickle for the cough coming up somewhere from my stomach or lower esophagus area.
Most times I can control the sensation to cough consciously but it bursts out vigorously sometimes and causing too much pain in chest.

Now I am confused if this is any respiratory problem or a gastric problem :(
I am suffering like anything for the past 3 months.
Also I am avoiding any spicy food/over eating for the past 2 months.

Please help me.

[Ratnakar ., MD]

Hi,
Cough can occur in GERD. But if it is due to GERD, it gets worsened by lying down. Since you feel better after lying down, it is not due to GERD.

Consult your physician to rule out problems in the respiratory tract. Since you had blood in phlegm, it is more of a respiratory problem only.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.