Chronic Cough +1 years

[MichaelM86]

Ive had a chronic cough for the past year and a half. Its rather annoying and seems to come and go. As per my medical treatment, ive had a x-ray which showed nothing according to a pulmonologist and a breathing test (PST or something similar to diagnose asthma). All came back negative. Ive been on a few antibiotics such as Cipro and Avalox along with less powerful clyndamacin. Out of those the Avalox seemed to stop the cough the best and actually prevented me from coughing for a good month after going off the pills. Im not sure about the half life of something like Avalox, but my pulmonologist seems to think it helped due to its anti-inflamatory properties. Recently i started taking allegra which tends to stop it for a good 12 hours. Although i would generally think this is a allergies, the cough seems to have no seasonal or locational changes. It concerns me that it is becoming progressively worse. Last year I had it so bad i could not stop to even sleep and thats when i took the cipro/avalox along with a cough suppresent. OTC cough suppresents do not work and the only cough suppresent that seems to help has codiene in it (Yes, and trying  to tell a doctor this never gets you it since they believe you are addicted somehow). I have no history of allergies to pollen or any environmental factors and have only recently aquired the illness in the past year and a half. As per my personal symptoms, i feel like my lungs are cold tend to tingle. The cough occurs with a scratching in my throat and is involuntary. A suggestion of a post nasal drip has been made and i have tried two nasal medicines along with 3 inhalers. Generally no trouble breathing but a tighning of the throat tends to occur when i get a coughing fit. And to clarify, no smoking ever and no excess use of alchohol. Im 21 years old, white and 6"3. No family history of any problems similar to this. No STDs (HIV or AIDS) or anything that could compromise my immune system. Current drugs are Allegra and Adderall. My personal oppinion is Bacterial of Viral Pneumonia, but i am unsure if the X-rays would show such a problem.

Thank You

[KatEyes]

I have had different lung problems over the years. Recently my docs had been checking my heart every few years,and finally figured out my increasing shortness of breath on exertion was coming from my lungs, although I'd been x-rayed every year. After several years my lung volumes tested out decreased and inflammation showed on the x-rays. I have interstitial lung disease. I'm not saying you have that, just that sometimes things are not evident, but it doesn't mean nothing is going on.

In prior years I had reactive airways after an episode of inhaling toxic fumes. While I coughed all the time, certain smells would trigger asthma-like attacks. There wasn't anything that showed on tests, just the incessant coughing. I had to de-scent my environment of chemicals, cleaners, detergents, hygiene items, etc. You might try doing that for a period of time and see if there's an improvement when at home.

I know how aggravating a cough can be. Hope you find answers soon.

There are certain BP meds that can cause a bad cough, but you don't mention being on those.

[memorylaffs2]

You're symptoms are  identical to the cough I have (among various other multiple problems)- which seems to finally have a diagnosis , which I've been seeking 2yrs. The coughing is like the end result of it all - and just like you , no smoking , no drinking . The cough has no seasonal changes as well ; and I can relate to KatEyes symptoms as well . Now they think I have coccioidomycosis .You will not find out much in your average medical symptom book ; nor did I see anything indepth online . It is relatively rare since 60% who get this have little or no symptoms .If you go to the reference section of your local library , much more can be learned .If you are getting nowhere with all of the testing you undergo , you might see an infectious disease specialist .Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would go through 2 yrs of not knowing what is wrong or what to do about it. Now that they think they know what is wrong..I wait for yet another doctor (infectious disease) making this probably around a dozen different specialists.If lesions begin to surface in xrays & CTS , etc. it could be an infectious disease. Good luck.