Its getting worse. Whats wrong with him? Please help!

[Jayy_]

My Dad... Hes 46 years old, and an ex smoker. Here are his symptoms

-Chronic cough over 2 months and still going
-Cough is worsening. Not in severity of the cough but its more frequent
-Cough usually worse at night and morning. It used to be but now its more evenly spaced throughout the day.
-Wheezing a bit
-Always had difficulty sleeping (as in not just now, he always has)
-Dry cough with sometimes, not all the time, sputum coloured white


This is what he DOESNT have that I know of...
- Pain in chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in chest
- Bloody sputum
- Asthma
- Allergies

Which is wy I dont think he has COPD or Lung Cancer.

So what is it?

Hes been through an x ray and blood test which was all clear.

Hes been through cough syrup, antibiotics, nasal spray, and an asthma pump with steroids..

Please help my figure out whats wrong! Could it be in his throat not his lungs? The doctor doesnt know whats wrong either.

Im really really scared. Should I be? Im writing this at 4 30 in the morning because I hear him coughing all the time and I want it to stop. Ill appreciate your answer so much.

[Sunny602]

I forgot to ask if he has had pulmonary function testing done to see if he does indeed have reduced numbers. If he has had these and they are normal, then I can see why the docs are scratching their heads. One thing they can do if they are normal is to do a methacholine challenge which is nebulized after the first set of lung tests to see if there is bronchospasm (a reduction of 20% or more) indicates asthma.

As far as allergies, did he have actual testing done? Allergies can most certainly cause coughing and mucous (whitish usually), I am walking proof of that. I am allergic to many environmental triggers such as trees, pollens...well, mother earth in general. I was diagnosed via the skin scratch test which introduced very minute amounts of various allergens via a ***** on the back. I had something like 30 allergens tested and my back looked like a giant hive by the time we were done but at least I knew what I was allergic to.

Another thing to consider which I also forgot was reflux disease. Believe it or not, reflux can mimic asthma symptoms. If the doctors have ruled out everything else, perhaps looking in this direction would be wise.

Sunny

[sallyann27]

anytime blood is present in anything leaving the body should be investigated. did the doctor do a test on the saliva to see if there are any bacterial, fungus issues.

i am coughing too so understanding how debilitating it is. my doctor recommended an anti-histamine to try and control my mucus and pain in chest.

[bbaggins]

Sounds like emphysema. Could be chronic bronchitis or COPD as well. Best bet would be to have him checked by a doctor.

I doubt it's allergies, though...allergies will generally make one's bronchial tubes flare up, but usually doesn't cause coughing or mucus.

Don't think it's cancer either.

[Sunny602]

Maybe he has allergies to something. It wouldn't hurt to get evaluated for them since this could explain his cough. If it turns out to be allergies, with proper medication and avoiding the allergen, he should feel better.
Just a thought to consider.
Sunny