Constant Prolonged Cough - 4 Months now

[Tyler M]

On June 3rd at ~11:30 I had noticed I was getting a sore throat, I ended up being sick over the weekend (weak, coughing, sore throat, headaches, etc).  After I got better, my cough still persisted.  I went to the evening clinic after around 2 more weeks as I started to feel sick again (really bad at one point).  I was given perscription cough medicine (which did nothing) and 1 weeks worth of Antibiotics.  These seemed to do nothing.  After about 3 more weeks, I went back to the clinic (I had a 5 week long wait for my doctor) at this clinic I was given Nasonex and Advair Discus.  I have to say I have seen no change since taking the Discus for just about 2 months now but my doctor insists on continuing with it.

My doctor has sent me for a Chest and Sinus X-Ray, and after waiting, and waiting for those to come in (I ended up phoning the Hospital myself), they came back normal (if they didn't lose them...).  Then my doctor sent me for a Pulmonary test, which I found very hard on the chest.  Still waiting for the results on this as my doctor went on Vacation for 3 weeks just when she should have recieved the results.

I was sick again last week, and my cough which started as a Wet cough turned to a semi-Dry cough is now back to a Wet cough.  And I got mucus by the truck loads over here!

My doctor has mentioned Asthma but I do not suffer from weezing.  She did mention my openings in my nose are a little smaller.

Any advice or anything you can give me is greatly appreciated...this cough is wearing me out!

[Tonyasandoval]

A related discussion, Cough From hell...Help, It wont go away :( was started.

[exomilly]

A related discussion, Why wont it go away!? was started.

[Pamela1963]

Hello again. I feel kind of stupid having only been coughing for a little over a month! I have now done all the rounds with the doctors and specialists and didn't want to try the inhalers because they make me shaky and nervous. My GP finally found the problem (that all the special ENT couldn't figure out). I have/had whooping cough or pertussis. Most doctors don't think of it in people past 20. In fact, I suggested it when he wasn't sure what was going on because my lungs sounded clear. My test came back positive and he put me on Erythromycin and I feel 200% better after only a week. He thinks I also developed situational asthma from the fluid in my lungs, which should clear up after the bacteria is gone. But throughout the day I still get uncontrollable fits of coughing. My ribs and back muscles are very sore. I actually cracked two ribs from the exertion. My doctor said there are many people in our state that are having the same symptoms and don't seem to get any answers or relief...but I wonder if they have pertussis and the docs don't check for it. Its a special test you have to go to the hospital to get done. They can't do it in the office unless they have the kit.Anyway, thanks for being here you guys. I'm sorry you are suffering, and I don't know if you all or any of you have the same thing, but it was nice to know there were others with the same problem. Take care, and I hope you all feel better soon.

[ds123]

I have the same symptons and have had it since 1991. It gets triggered by a cold (sore throat) or sometimes by an unknown substance I may breathe. The cough lasts two weeks to the longest I have had was 4 months. Right now my bout is in the 5th week. I am resigned to the fact there is no cure but to find something (over the counter) that will give me relief till the body repairs itself, which invariably happens. Does anyone have any suggestions other than the 'Halls' type candies ? I have stopped the medications (inhalers etc) my doctor has been suggesting as they don't seem to help the cough but may be doing other harmful things to the body.

[Tyler M]

Oh, yes, and I have about Low allergies to almost everything else on my list!

When I was younger my doc treated me for allergies, but then it said I didn't have any...now they say I do, ragh!  The blood test is more accurate I guess, and I don't know if they had done that when I was younger or not.

[Tyler M]

Well if you have broncitis, I dunno, but it could be something to do with a nasal drippage.

Nicky, I dunno how the Symbicort is working.  It's hard to tell because you can't feel it like the Advair when you take it.  I've just about finished one full puffer now.  As for my allergies, I have mod allergies to Egg Whites, Salmon, Wheat, Yeast, Alternaria, and Penicillium.  I don't think I'll be cutting out any of the food other than Salmon (I hate fish).  Yeast is a little hard isn't it!?

As for the 2 molds (I think anyway), I should probably get an air purifier for my room.  Maybe that would help some.  We'll have to see :)