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Avatar universal

Coughing for 5 months

I am a 21 yr old male. One day when working I had an out of focus feeling and felt when looking at my hand that it wasn't mine. This is described as a focus and disorientation type feeling. I had tests run and I was told it was sinusitis. Then came the chest pains, which I was later diagnosed with MVP.
Symptoms summary
1)Cough lasting over 5 months( started at night, now is all the time.
2)Sweating easily
3)Loss of concentration and fatigue
4)coughing til I vomit.
The problem i am facing now is a bad cough. (Dec 06)
This cough was only at night but due to smoking which i quit, it became a daily thing happening both in the AM and PM.
It seems the cough goes away slightly when taking claratin but definitely comes back when i drink or eat phlegm producing foods. Due to my asthma/lack of allergy shots in two years I thought this is post nasal. It got so bad I would cough till I vomit. It is also very hard to breathe through my mouth without coughing.
I seem to be sweating easily. When I cough or sleep mainly.
The final symptom is loss of concentration. I seem to be forgetful at times or out of it. I saw a neurologist because of this feeling but CT scans and a seizure test ruled out any brain issues.
Does this sound like possible symptoms of severe post nasal drip and sinusitis? People told me it was stress but I honestly, have no stress right now. I just want to get this cough and any other issue taken care of so that I can live a long life with my family.
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi Everyone

I have also been coughing for quite some time as a result of sinus problems and Post Nasal Drip.  I cough all day and allllllll night.  Some one told me to purchase Dr. Tichenor's Antiseptic Mouthwash and gargle with it. You have to add 5 parts water/...I added 4 parts water to make it a little stronger.  I gargle with it in the morning, afternoon and before bed at night.  

After coughing for close to 2 months now, I have not coughed for 3 days now.  So maybe some one else can can try it and let me know what they think.  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been coughing for almost 8 months.  I do not smoke.  I have seen ENT, and pulmonary specialists.  I've had pulmonary function tests, medication for sinus drip,etc.  I don't have asthma.  My lung xray was clear.  Pulmomary test showed minor restriction.  Nothing has helped my cough.  Pulmonary doctor wants me to take a lung ct xray to look for sarcoidosis.  Is that the right test for sarcoid?  In the mean time I continue to cough and cough.  Any temporary remedies out there?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been coughing for almost 8 months.  I do not smoke.  I have seen ENT, and pulmonary specialists.  I've had pulmonary function tests, medication for sinus drip,etc.  I don't have asthma.  My lung xray was clear.  Pulmomary test showed minor restriction.  Nothing has helped my cough.  Pulmonary doctor wants me to take a lung ct xray to look for sarcoidosis.  Is that the right test for sarcoid?  In the mean time I continue to cough and cough.  Any temporary remedies out there?
Helpful - 0
248663 tn?1198083095
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The 'out of focus feeling' you had when your hand seemed not to be yours is almost certainly a symptom of stress/anxiety.  Chronic cough with sweating is probably caused by a physical disease.  Yes, this could be from bad sinusitis but it is equally likely that it is coming from your lungs, as a result of an infectious or non-infectious process, which needs to be determined.  For example, tuberculosis is notorious for causing sweating, especially nigh-time sweating.

While sinusitis could be the problem, neither you nor your doctor should assume that any longer.  You should be re-examined by your primary care doctor, have a chest x-ray done, have your phlegm cultured for tuberculosis and ask your doctor to refer you to a lung specialist.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Went in to ER on Friday. Had some trouble breathing without hacking like mad. Had breathing treatments and oxygen. I felt better. They took a chest xray which they said they found nothing. I have an appointment this week for TB test, and blood to be taken.


I am starting to think it is just my allergies and asthma out of whack. I haven't had a shot in 3 years and was smoking for a few months. I am on some meds now to clear up my airways etc. Any home remedies or meds to stop coughing, and to make breathing a little easier to speed up and simplify my recovery?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Coughing and NIGHT sweats are characteristics of TB.  If you haven't had a PPD you might consider having one done.  It's unlikely the normal population would get TB.

Have you had a chest x-ray?  What did it show?

I had a very similar problem to what you are experiencing (almost all the same symptoms).  I had a very persistent dry cough and I started coughing so badly I would gag and couldn't sleep.  I also felt like I had a marble stuck in the back of my throat.

After seeing several doctors I saw an amazing physician and he ran a few tests on me.  I had a Sinus CT (more specific than a regular CT) and a barium swallow test.  My barium swallow was negative and my Sinus CT showed infected nasal cysts.  I then saw and ENT and had the cysts removed.  The surgery helped my cough but did not totally get rid of it.  I was still coughing when I would lie down to sleep or eat a lot at one sitting or eat certain foods.

Even though my barium swallow was negative I was diagnosed with GERD.  I know take a PPI (protonix) and do not have a problem with coughing.

So my advice to you would be-
Get a chest xray
Have a PPD test done
Have a barium swallow test
Have a Sinus CT
See an ENT

Hope this helps a bit.  I coughed for 9 months until I was diagnosed, pure hell.  It's amazing how habitual coughing can alter your life.

Cheers,
A.W., RRT
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also forgot to say that I am experiencing back and neck pains.
Helpful - 0

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