Chronic Cough after Opiod rehabilitaton

[Petrolino1074]

Please help; I was addicted to opioids for 14 years and can't remember the last time I had a cough until I finished rehab ( methadone)  at the end of October this year. As I tapered down to 4mg, then to 2 mg I noticed a cough coming on and only got worse. I finished my treatment and I have been clean. I will not look back. I am at 8 weeks with a dry chronic cough that no OTC takes away. I explained everything to my doctor and after several attempts at many medications from a VERY strong steroid , to inhalers and absolutely nothing works.  Nothing even takes the edge off. Of course I turned away codeine. Please help. My doctor has never heard of the opposite (suppression of cough during addiction turning into a chronic cough after stopping opioids) and I am not finding ANY medical examples to back this up. I'm going crazy here. I ended up separating a rib from cartilage from violent coughing last week. I would like to know if anyone has any advice for me. I have had chest X-rays /numerous blood work ups, my lungs sound good with no fluid nor wheezing, no other symptoms whatsoever except a sore throat from coughing. Doc says I'm a very healthy 40 yr old man. Even took heartburn meds to be certain it's nothing like that. I'm not on any Ace -inhibitors( which can cause chronic coughing) I'm not coughing up anything- it's simply a dry constant (with tickle that's unavoidable) tried hot water with honey & lemon. I can't take anymore- It's embarassing and painful.  I'm At my wits end. I wonder if this a test from  higher power to see that I won't go back to drugs? , ... Thanks in advance.

[oxyisthedevil911]

this is one of my worse w.d. symptom...started on day 4...im now on 4th month...still got to clear throat...was a dry tickle cough and lump in throat ..now its not as bad but still present...

[dominosarah]

You could try a humidifier in your bedroom at night.  I have a dry cough from my bp meds and the humidifier really helps.

[msdelight]

Hi there! Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your 8 weeks.  That's awesome. Your doctor may not have heard of any one who's cough reflex was suppressed for so long having rebound cough issues,  but it does happen. Someone on here last year had the same issue and it subsided after 3 months. Don't worry.  Keep a Riccola cough drop in your pocket and take when cough flares up. This too shall pass.