Chronic Cough for over 10 years

[J54]

The cough starts with a tickle in my throat, then my throat seems to close to where I need to cough and cough and cough and cough until I cough so hard I gag and sometimes "throw up" sputum from gagging. Have seen  many specialists, many tests, and all are negative. Have dealt with this for over 10 years. Never changed soaps, etc.  It's very frustrating that nothing can be found. I have been tested for asthma but they said I was borderline. However I take Singulair for asthma symptoms. I also have an emergency inhaler which helps in the worse case events. I've been told "just quit coughing" but I can't. I have no sore throat. I think my stuffy nose is definitely related in some way but not post nasal drip. No fever ever. It's embarassing and exhausting. Are there nerves in my throat that could be irritated? Thank you !

[National Jewish Health]

Yes, your cough could be related to sensitized nerve receptors in your throat.  This is explained further in the medical journal articles that are cited below and the abstract.  I suggest:  
1) that you share this information with one of your doctors, preferably a lung or ENT specialist; and
2) that you strongly consider seeking consultation with one of the major cough clinics, for example, at the Cleveland Clinic (ENT) or with Richard Irwin, MD and colleagues.

The citation below is for an article from the Department of Otolaryngology (A.J.), Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.; and the Department of Otolaryngology (C.M.H., T.M.B.), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York, U.S.A.  Effectiveness of Amitriptyline Versus Cough Suppressants in the Treatment of Chronic Cough Resulting From Postviral Vagal Neuropathy by Anita Jeyakumar, MD; Todd M. Brickman, MD; Michael Haben, MD, MSc in The Laryngoscope, 2006 December, Volume 116, pages 2108-2112.

The citation below is for an article from the Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK.  The problem of cough and development of novel antitussives by Peter J. Barnes in Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2007, Volume 20, pages 416-422.

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Authors Mazzone SB. McGovern AE.
Authors
Full Name Mazzone, Stuart B. McGovern, Alice E.
Institution Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia. ***@****
Title Sensory neural targets for the treatment of cough. [Review] [94 refs]
Source Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology. 34(10):955-62,
2007 Oct.
Abstract
1. Cough is a primary defensive reflex that protects the airways from potentially harmful stimuli.
2. During many respiratory diseases, the cough reflex threshold is lowered and coughing becomes excessive.
3. Currently available therapeutics are mostly ineffective at suppressing excessive coughing.
4. In the present review, we describe the sensory neural pathways involved in cough, how these pathways may become dysfunctional in airway disease and the most recent advances that have been made in identifying future targets for cough suppression.
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