coughing on airplane trips

Whenever I fly I cough throughout the entire flight.
As soon as we start upward and the pressure changes I start. It's like one of those ahugh, ahugh, ahugh coughs. My ears also ring constantly and they pop as we go up. I should also tell you that anything can set this off. If I catch my breath, take a sip etc. Sometimes at night I wake up gasping for breath.
I have sipped from a bottle of water, I have sucked on hard candy, I have taken a decongestent, all to no avail.
It is embarrassing, and I think the more I worry about the coughing the worse it gets. I don't like being on where I cannot get away from where I am. I have had panic attacks and started the coughing on buses. I get off and as soon as I can breathe air it eventually passes.
I am not afraid to fly, but I am afraid I'll cough through the whole flight.
I have allergies and take flonaise, but I am still sneezing and my nose is still running. I know this is not good.
I am flying from Cleveland to Jacksonville on July 25 and returning July 30. It's enough to make me think I should take the train and spend my whole vacation on the train! On the train I was okay.
I am probably nuts and that's the problem.
I was wondering if I could be hypnotised if that would help.
Thanks for whatever help you can give.

Jody

[debnevada]

if you are treating and have allergies that is pretty common. i also have mouth ulcers even with the mouthwash and it makes the whole thing worse. i cough a lot as well.

[Forseegood]

I have read that for some people coughing can be a manifestation of stress or anxiety, course i'm no expert and I have no idea what might be happening with you...I can tell you that hypnosis has helped me tremendously, and I recommend it to anyone...providing you get the right tapes, etc...I was able to get over panic attacks, phobias (I had two but they are too embarrassing to talk about here, ha ha) it's great stuff and no drugs! ha ha! speaking of that, if you have to fly a lot, have you talked to your doc about tranquilizers? if it's not a problem, anyway, that's my take...i hope you get to the bottom of it...be well..