Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Chest tickle and cough

I am 68, non smoking for 30 years, but a heavy smoker before that.  I have been told I have chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip and I tend to sniff alot and blow my nose constantly.  A few months ago I started having a new symptom:  this tickle in the lung/bronchial area just to the left of center which caused me to cough.  Went away for awhile and now it is back with a bang.  Sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left.  The tickle just seems to catch when I talk or just breathe in or out.  Causes me to cough and cough until I gag.  I just have to keep coughing until the tickling is somewhat relieved.  Now, the tickle doesn't go away completely.  No coughing up blood, mucous,or anything.  Just a dry, unproductive cough brought on by the tickle.  Can have it day or night.  Talking can make it worse and I can't talk when I have the tickle.  I go through periods of the day when it is not so bad.  Had a recent (not too thorough) physical with a lung capacity test (blew into a tube) and an ekg.  Both were fine.  The only shortness of breath I feel is when I start to exerciseo (tennis or other aerobic activity), but that goes away in five or ten minutes while still exercising and I have no further shortness of breathe.  Have an appointment for a chest xray next week.  Any ideas of what causes this? Sorry to be so long winded (no pun intended).
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
hi, i have identical symptoms and am still suffering after 6 weeks. i have had 7 days of amoxycillin which didnt seem to work and am now on clarithromycin. i have not had an xray. my GP mentioned possible "walking pneumonia". What do you think? I was diagnosed this once before about a year ago....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

It is nice to know that you are doing well now and your symptoms are now resolved.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Do let us know if you have any doubts in the future and let us know about how you are doing.

Regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your response.  The cough I had was really a response to the tickle in the bronchial/lung area, rather than a true cough.  However, the symptoms have entirely disappeared, but it took a couple of months.  I had consulted my doctor and had a chest xray, which was fine.  I will keep your advice in mind should the syptom return.  Thanks again.
rarnold2000
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Have you been prescribed any medications for your symptoms? Have you ever taken inhaler medications - do they help with your symptoms?Has a chest xray and CT scan of your sinuses been done? Do you have any fever or sputum production? Are you a diabetic?

Do you have any other symptoms like breathlessness, reflux symptoms or heartburn or nasal symptoms like nasal discharge etc.

Chronic cough is usually seen in cases of asthma, GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease and sinusitis due to the post nasal drip.

You should try steam inhalation, warm saline gargles, saline nasal drops and oral antihistamine medications and see if it helps with your symptoms.

If the cough still persists, it would be best to consult your doctor and also let  us know the chest xray report.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you need any other information.

Regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi i have the same symptoms. how did ypur xray go?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Allergy Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Find out if your city is a top "allergy capital."
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, read on for what plants are to blame, where to find them and how to get relief.
Allergist Dr. Lily Pien answers Medhelp users' most pressing allergy-related questions
When you start sniffling and sneezing, you know spring has sprung. Check out these four natural remedies to nix spring allergies.