4 weeks Cough, can't breath,

[BlueDonut]

I am coughing for about 4 weeks. It started with a cold.

Now, as soon I get just a little bit cold I start coughing like crazy, my voice is even changing. It gets worse at night and when I lay down.
When I am coughing it feels like my body is trying to get something out of it. I can't breathe while I am coughing and that makes me dizzy and I always get a headache. My body is pressing all the air out of my lungs while coughing.
First it sounds like barking but as it goes on it will change. But I can't describe what kind of cough it is.
Please help.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Any cough persisting for more than 2 weeks should be investigated. A cough is generally a result of an irritant such as stomach acid (gastric reflux), mucus (asthma), hair spray, perfume, dust, pollen, mold, even spicy food (all for allergies, it could also be a perfume or spray at home), post nasal drip, or infection. It could also be due to infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis. All these have to be ruled out one by one.
Ideally you should consult a chest specialist. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[LivingInHope]

You should go in and get a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia.  Barking description makes one think of bronchitis.  You also should see about getting some prescription medicine.  Once, when I had so much crud in my chest it sounded like I was breathing underwater without a stethescope when I didn't keep coughing, I had a doctor prescribe a combo of a cough medicine with phenergan in it and humibid pills.  Combined with a humidifier set up under a table with a sheet over it to make a sort of vapor tent, I improved.  I hope you are drinking plenty of fluids and taking vitamin ester C!  And I hope you can put a wedge under your mattress so that you can have your chest at a slant instead of flat.