dry rattling cough-

i'm an 18 year old female, and i'm really at my wits end with this problem, so i was wondering if anyone could help me out.

I've had asthma since i was about 7, and as far as i can remember, it was never very severe. I had ventolin, which i seldom, if ever, used.

Then, all of a sudden this past august, my asthma became much worse. I cough every day, and i'm taking 250 advair a day, plus ranitidine, as i was told that i have acid reflux, which can trigger coughing.
Unfortuneatly, this doesn't seme to be helping much, and i've been on this medication for about six months. My doctor suggested using singulaire, but i'm rather reluctant, since i am on so much medication ( i often have to use my ventolin).

I've had all the tests i can think of. Lung x-rays, sinus x-rays, a swallowing test which determined i have the reflux thing, allergy test which sad i was not allergic, and a methocoline challenge, during which i could only tolerate two doses of the trigger.
So, with all that said, here's my problem. I experience this cough almost every single day, which is like a dry rattle coming from my upper chest. It's non productive, and seems like it could go on and on, unless i force it to stop. It used to be every morning that i would experience this, but it seemed to stop for a few days, and has since moved into the day time.
What is it? When my doctor listens to my lungs, she says she doens't hear anything, but this cough is so persistent, and i'm really starting to wonder if it's indeed not connected to my asthma at all. any help would be very much appreciated!

[National Jewish]

A lung problem such as asthma could cause a cough.  A dry rattling cough can be the only symptom of asthma.  Also asthma can change at any time for the better or for the worse.  Advair

[ozark]

do you cough when at the doctors so he/she can hear it?  sometimes if you don't your lungs may  sounds clear to the doctor....you may have bronchitis....maybe a trial of an antibiotic might help....good luck

[Dave22]

Any progress on this.  Sounds like I have the same symptoms, one day developed dry cough - feels like something is there, but not getting anything up, taking deep breaths, sometimes hard to breath.  Maybe once every 50 coughs getting something up, but even then it's not much.  

After all the asthma medication I am on - Singulair, Nasonex, Advair 500, Zyrtec, a decongestant...I find it hard to belive this cough is coming from asthma.  

I am curious if the Advair is actually CAUSING the cough.

Any progress/treatment shared is greatly appreciated.  Can leave it on this forum or email me at ***@****.

Thanks.