Chronic Cough

I have had a chronic bronchial cough (it sounds like a croup)for about 2 years now and quit smoking one year ago after having smoked 1/2 - 1 pack per day for about 10 years.
I have had several chest x-rays which the doctor says are "clear as a bell" and he has ordered no other pulmonary or bronchial tests.
Prior to the coughing "fits", the upper portion of my back gets very tight and I feel a burning sensation.  Then I begin having "spasm's" (that I can actually feel) in my bronchial area and I become very tight chested.  There is no wheezing, but it becomes extremely difficult to take a "cleansing or good deep breath".  The cough is usually non-productive, however, there is occasional clear or light yellow sputum.  Once the coughing spell is over, I can breathe much easier.
I am not sure where to turn for answers but am growing increasingly concerned about the cough as it becomes disruptive at work, home and while driving.
Can anyone suggest a next step for me?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[National Jewish]

Well, you have taken the first by quitting smoking. Anyone with a chronic cough should eliminate any exposure to smoke. The issue for you is to find the source of the cough. This can be from the upper airways (such as allergy or in the sinuses) or from the lower airways (asthma or chronic bronchitis). Unfortunately, a chest x-ray does not give you a lot of information about these entities. I would suggest that your physician or a specialist pursue the cause for the cough by performing lung function tests and perhaps following with an evaluation of the sinuses.

[Billee]

Finally, I have found someone with the same symptoms as me. I have a Doctors appt on the 4th of March with a new physian. Hoping to solve some issues. I feel the same as you. I do have allergies and have recently been put on Claritin D. However it doesn't seem to help at all. At times the spasms drive me nuts. I lay in bed tossing and turning trying to get them to stop. I will post what I find out at my next appt.

[Julzbeach]

To BIllee:
Let me know what you find out, I have an appointment on March 6th.  I am going to ask for a referral to a specialist of some kind. Of course, I thought I was the only one that has these odd symptoms, so it's nice to know I'm not alone.  Looking forward to discussing our outcomes.

[Billee]

To Julz:
    I am looking forward to the Dr.s appt today. You can email me at Light_meup2***@**** if you wish. Just a quick question I have done some research on diet drugs. I was on Fen Phen for approx a year. Not the full dose though. Also in the past 2 years I took alot of over the counter diet pills. I had my heart checked 3 years ago due to the Fen Phen scare everything was fine. Just curious to see if you were or not. I will let you know of the outcome today. Thanks, Billee

[Julzbeach]

Sorry, no Fen Fen.....I don't take nor have I ever taken anything except synthroid..which I've been on for 19 years now.  Good Luck with your appointment.

[Billee]

Learned alot from the new Doctor. I couldn't believe it someone who sat there and listened for a whole hour. Unbelievable! As for the resp problems, cough and spasms. She checked several things. My sinus cavity's are very large and alot of the drainage is going down into my lungs. Which is causing the cough and tightness in the chess. As for the spasms and burning in the back she explained that some people tend to panic and tense up the muscles do to the fact that they are experiencing a tightness which is scary. Anxiety...... You may want your doctor to put you on something for it. I have been on 40mg of Celexa and 0.25mg of Xanax for 3/4 of a year now. Each day gets better. I just needed a new Doctor to tell me the same thing about the anxiety for me to believe it. As for the congestion we are off to a Ear nose and throat specialist for a check up. Hope this helps. Billee

[Julzbeach]

Thanks Billee!  Hope things turn out well for you at the ENT....that is probably my next step@
Good Luck!

[Addie]

Very interesting posting here.  I am joining the group.

I have coughed constatnly for the past 3 months. I do bring up phelm and it is not a pretty color.  I also have some wheezing and tightness and short of breath and yawns that I cannot complete.  The pulmonary doc took an x-ray and it did show some slight scarring at the top of the lungs from a previous "something' that was not treated correctly.  But, he also wants me to see an ENT doc.  His diagnosis was Asthma, Gerd, Infection, Bronchitis, Rhinitis (Nasal) and an allergist.   I had no idea that Sinus problems could be the culprit to all this.

Lets keep each other informed.

Good luck to all.

[Addie]

Forgot to mention that my Pulmonary doc said my painful spasms are also muscle.

[Julzbeach]

My doctor who is an internist laughed at me again and prescribed Paxil.  Needless to say I am changing physicians as I couldn't get a referral to an ENT or Allergist, but I am going to see an Endocrinologist on the 28th so it's possible I may get a referral from her.  Will keep you posted!

[patsanders]

I have just found this forum and had to join so I could join this discussion!  There was one mention of GERD in the above messages but it was included with a number of other suggestions.  GERD, regardless of the cause, can do a lot of damage to your esophagus and throat.  There are some prescription medications for a one a day capsule, Prilosec, Prevacid, or Nexium that can stop this problem for most people.  You can help to avoid the stinging in the throat that causes the coughing by raising the head of your bed slightly so the acid doesn't wash up at night.

With that said, I have one more possible cause.  If you are taking a BP med that is an ACE Inhibitor, it causes this problem in some people.  If that is the problem, be aware that it won't stop as soon as you switch to another medication.  If you have been on it several months, you will not stop the coughting for several weeks.

Pat

[Lil_red_corvette]

I have been having a barking cough, like that of croup also.  I've had this problem for a year and 9months.  I've been to numerous doctors and had many test.  I'm currently being treated for GERD, sinus drainage, and asthma in hopes that one of the medicines will help.  I've been on them about 5 months and they have yet to help.  I'll have coughing spasms that last for long periods of time, such as 3 hours.  That's when I have to go to the hospital for a reycimic epi treatment.  This treatment is what they give to little children who have croup. This normally ends my spasms in about 5 mins.  I've had clear chest x-rays, had a methacolene challange, numerous pulmonary function test, a PH monitor, and 2 bronchs. All of which were negitive.  I've seen 4 specialist and I'm going to Oschners in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2 weeks.  The doctors seem to be at a loss.  I take breathing treatments 4 times a day, sometimes more often.  The only medicine that seems to controll the cough in some way is Tussionex, which is a narcotic cough suppressent and I'm on my maximum dosage of it now.  It's starting not to work.  If anyone has any info that might help, PLEASE let me know.  I'm a student in college and this cough disrups my life.  I've had to miss numerous classes from the coughing attacks.  Thanks so much
Melody