Persistant cough

[Spencey]

I have a persistant cough.To descibe the cough it is usally dry sometimes wet.
It almost like i get a bit of build up of flem or something in my throat and have to clear my throat.It was consistant mainly after eating.It is also present when I am exposed to cold air.I have had lung capacity tests which are all with in the limits for my age and height/weight.I have been treated for post nasil drip with no cure.Also been treated for a mild ashma with a preventer but does not seem to help.I have had chest X-rays which are all clear.I am currently see another docter but i just would like some other ideas.Blood tests for allegies are being done at the moment,but i suspect they will show nothing.Also have to do the ha hums sometimes to clear throat so i am wondering if it is all related.Your ideas will be greatly appreciated thank you.

[halo07]

A related discussion, copd was started.

[ginglar]

I have a persistant cough for about a year now.I have riedverything from taking chest x-rays ct scan blood test but the result showed that my lungs had an infection.My consultant started me on drugs for tuberculosis.I have taken them for two months now but still i cough every minute i am so fustrated but it looks like this cough is never going to stop.I am 29 years and i have never smoked before.

[repooc]

I have the same exact thing. I've had this condition ever since getting a nasty upper respitory infection & being treated with some intreveneous antibiotic which I still don't know the name of! That's scary! I refuse to believe that @ the age of 35 I just spontaneously developed a huge allergy problem. That's just a "reach into the text book" answer from doctors who don't cure but just "prescribe". I'm seeing it all through these comment sections of so called MD's who will go with the typical standby "just pay me more money" diagnosis. Go get a chest x-ray, go get a CT scan, stop smoking, Oh you stopped smoking 2yrs ago, oh well then it will probably take another 2yrs for you to get better in the meantime keep coming to me for prescription, you have allergies, you have astma, you have acid reflux, try a nasal wash with a steriod spray. All ****!!!! My suggestion, find a "Cash only" doctor who isn't controlled by the HMO's or pharmecutical industry, you'll probably be prescribed something you've never heard of before & will cure you in less then 1 week. I was told about doctors like this & I'm trying to find one but it's hard.

[National Jewish]

"..a bit of build up of flem" suggests that your cough may be due to postnasal drip.  Perhaps this is not treated vigorously enough with regular nasal washes followed by a nasal steroid spray.  A methacholine challenge would measure the extent of your asthma.  Also a trial of more vigorous asthma therapy may be needed.

You should have a direct exam of your vocal cords to check for vocal cord dysfunction.  Finally you should have a test done to check for gastroesophageal reflux, also called heartburn.

[SUMMER_GIRL]

My allergy specialist suggested using cough drops with an oral anesthetic in it, such as benzocaine.  I was taking a ton of asthma medication without much success. I have been coughing so hard that I've pulled muscles and have been in excruciating pain.  The only med that really helps are steroids, which my doc doesn't want me to stay on due to the bone problems they lead to.

[Pakman]

I have the exact same thing.  Still trying to figure out a cure.  Can't exactly pin-point what the problem is.  I am taking medication for acid reflux, asthma and post-nasal.  None of them are working.  I even quit smoking for 2 weeks now and no improvement.  I notice that I cough more when I talk.  Something is wrong with my windpipe and don't know if there are any tests to look into it.  My discovery for a cure goes on.  Will let you know if I come across anything.

[Inanga]

i had something very similar - excessive post nasal drip - doctor treated as hayfever (though no other hayfever syumptoms were present). Sort of controlled things but not very well. Eventually discovered food "allergies" to gluten and dairy and some fruits. Have been breathing great and no post nasal drip since eliminating them from my diet. it comes back if I eat something containing these. I went through an allergist who only came up with a pollen allergy. I have read that it's fairly common (40%) for pollen allergy sufferers to also have food allergies to specific fruits etc - different pollen type tend to link with different fruit - for me it's tomatoes, melons etc. Scratch tests and blood tests showed nothing but te empirical evidence is strong. Apparently these tests can have a lot of false negatives and positives - so don't rule out food allergies - try an elimination diet process. Maybe get an experienced pro to guide you.  good luck and don't give up!