Couging for 6 months

    I've had a chronic cough for 6 months now. It started the 3rd week of January when I had the flu very bad. In fact, I'd say it was the worst I ever had the flu. Well, the flu cleared up within a few days and I  had sinusitis for about two weeks but the cough stayed on and on. At first it was very, very thick, to the point that is was difficult to even cough up anything if possible. After two months of this I decided to have a doctor visit who put me on antibiotics of course. After another two months of coughing I went back to the doctor who then experimented with alergy (allergy) pill and a negative xray and a breathing test of some kind (negative). After several weeks of that futile attempt I made another visit and he tried Pulmicort and a cortizone shot. This helped but still coughing. So he tested me for TB which came out negative according to him but wanted me visit a pulminary specialist who stated that I did have TB and the test was indeed positive. So now I'm taking an antibacterial for nine months but still have a cough. So the pulminary specialist gave me several inhalers: one similar to pulmicort and the other looks like something for someone with athsma. Unfortunately, I'm still coughing and none of this has helped much. I quit inhaling the powder stuff because of it's horrible side effects on my voice. You see, I'm a singer in a band. For 6 months now I haven't been able to sing without coughing and coughing through every verse.

[National Jewish]

In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn

[ozark]

have they tried prednisone orally?  this may be the next thing you should try since the shot helped ....you may need to be on it for a week or two........good luck

[salem]

my son, age 15, also has had a cough for over 6 months.  He was first told it was due to broncitis.  Then was told he had asthma induced broncitis.  Then was told he had asthma.  Then was told he had allergies.  Through all of this, he was given a variety of medications.  No antibiotics.  Tried Flovent, Advair, albuterol, decongestants, nose sprays. Also was given two rounds of prednisone steroids each time for a five days period.  Nothing worked!  Took him to an allergy specialist and he was tested for 58 different types of allergies and was not even mildly allergic to anything . . . so much for the three rounds of allergy medication he was also given over the winter.  He's been seeing a pulmonary specialist from Tufts N.E. Medical Ctr in Boston who doesn't seem to know what's causing the cough.  Scheduled to see a gastro specialist as it could be gastro reflux also known as GERD.  My son is about 30 lbs overweight which I'm told can cause GERD.  Took him for chest X-ray and blood testing - all negative.  Took him for CT scan of his sinuses and was told he has a deviated septum.  Am actually hoping this is the cause of the cough and am also hoping a simple day surgery procedure will cure it.

[vb501]

Hey I greatly appreciate the assistance. I've been at my witts end with this. After prompting the DR. for months now,  he finally agreed to give a TB test which is positive.
So my family received the test also which revealed my son also had the germ. So currently we're both taking isoniazid?
My question now is this. The doctor informed my that my on going cough doesn't have anything to do with my inactive TB.
So then what's the deal? The one and only thing I've found that seems to help out alot is taking an antihistamine along with a cough suppressant.... not a cough expectorant which is worse!
Then I usually cough 60% less. Currently (June23), it's not as bad as it was back in February. In Feb. it was like trying to cough out thick sap but now it's like a coating on my throat that is extremely annoying and gives the feeling as though I need to swallow again and again - but I have to admit it is getting better.
I've been trying to get back into jogging regularly and weight lifting. It's been quite difficult.... due to laziness I'm sure.
Does inactive TB have any impact on the current cough?
Is it the cause or should I blame this on a bad flu episode combined with a slight leaning toward asthma?