Atenolol and chronic cough

If a chronic, dry cough is due to atenolol, how long should the cough linger after tapering off?  I  have taken atenolol 25-50 mg/day for more than 20 years to slow the heart rate while having paroxysmal atrial fib (and also for mildly elevated BP).   Each year I have experienced a dry hacking cough lasting 3-6 mos - the duration of the coughing seems to have increased with time.  I have tried beta agonists (which the atenolol would block, of course) and inhaled corticosteroids for the cough with minimal success.  I've even tried several short bursts of prednisone, and several courses of antibiotics, thinking of occult sinusitis.  I do not have symptoms of GERD (unless the cough is one), but tried PPI's anyway without change in the cough.  By process of elimination, I think the cough is due to atenolol and am tapering myself off (I plan to consult my MD about an ARB - wish to avoid ACE inhibitors, naturally, given my chief complaint).  In the meantime, if the cough is cough-variant bronchospasm, how long should it linger after stopping atenolol?  

[DeltaDawn23]

I have taken Atenolol for 9 years in the 25-50 mg. range and never had the cough.  I wonder, since it is not constant if it is the Atenolol?  Is it on the list of side effects?  I know some bp meds do cause a cough, just wondering why you wouldn't have it year around and if you should be looking elsewhere for the cause, i.e., seasonal environmental allergies.  I believe sore throat and cough are symptoms of uncontrolled GERD, which I have also.  Good luck.