Overcoming Cough Variant Asthma - Food Allergy

[Mhannor]

Hey you guys,

My name is Shae, I was diagnosed with Cough Variant Asthma sometime in 2013. My cough was so severe, it felt as if I was coughing up my lungs, I would just cry because I was so tired of coughing and my stomach hurt so much from the constant cough, there was nothing anyone could do. I just wanted to escape and the only relief I got was when I took anything that made me go to sleep. I stayed at my primary doctor and in the emergency room.

My journey of turning this thing around happened on new years eve night of 2016. I was in the emergency room because of the CVA. This is embarrassing but, my cough was so violent, I literally defecated on myself three times. This was the worse it had ever been. Everyone who heard the cough was so concerned and felt so bad for me, I had so many nurses in my room that night nurturing me. They gave me an IV as well as an hour long breathing treatment. I started to get much better after 30mins of the breathing treatment. Before falling asleep from exhaustion from the cough, bringing the new year in the hospital, I vowed this would be the last time I'm every in the ER or any hospital for CVA.

When I woke up the first question I asked seriously for the first time, is how do I get rid of this? Alot of time we just deal with a diagnosis, and do not put up at fight. But at this point. I was tired and had to fight and do something. The doctor gave me so much information, I didn't know where to start. But one thing I've heard all my doctors say was I needed to lose weight. Also, I knew that a lot of times my CVA flared up when I ate too much food, like if I was too full. So I figured, I will start there, and in the mean time just do research. So that's what I did, praying and all of my researched led me to food allergies, for instance milk: Any time I'd drink milk or eat cereal I would have a small flare up immediately after and during the rest of the day. This was confirmed by research, milk is a food allergen. I wasn't 100% sure, but I had to follow my gut and go with the food allergies.

On Jan 1, 2017, I was 252 pds. I decided to go on a diet. I also have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder(OCPD). So in this case, its hard for me to ease into a situation. I tend to be very extreme when I decide to do anything. Go hard or don't do it at all, I have a one track mind with goal setting. With that being said, I went on a very strict diet. Juicing fruits and vegetables, only eating salads and fruit, with meat occasionally, no sugar and only water to drink. Surprisingly in 8 days, my cough had completely disappeared. I was so happy. Plus I had lost 11 pds. So I figured I would do this for a month and then go back to eating regular food. I did it for a month went to 238 pounds. I started back eating and got back to old eating habits quickly and you probably already guessed it, my came back in a few days. I did this cycle for 4 months, to be honest, it was hard to give up my favorite foods. But my favorite were making me sick. I had to decide: my favorite foods or CVA?

As of last month June 2017, I decided to make it a lifestyle change. The hardest part about all of this for me is the mindset of not going back to old foods that I grew up on. When I stick to healthy foods I have no symptoms of CVA. This is the longest I have NOT had any symptoms and currently I'm also weighing 198 pounds. Still have a looongg ways to go.

I just wanted to encourage others to explore to see if you are plagued by a food allergy. I'm learning and practicing how to stay away from all processed foods, milk, and anything else that is not healthy. I am human, I mess up more than I would like to admit. But I know where my CVA stems from and just wanted to offer support and help to anyone that I can. Just pay attention to what happened right before you flared up. For me it was mostly eating so I started there. We have to listen to our bodies, it will always lead us to the issue.

I often look at this picture of the night I was in the hospital, that my mom took, I use it for when I need motivation to not eat snickers or processed food. That night was horrible and always keep me away from anything i shouldn't have. I never want to go back for CVA.

You can overcome this. Don't let it beat you, you beat it! God bless!

[Frin9e]

hi, my son as CVA its a nightmare, how have you been? 😀

[Mhannor in reply to Frin9e]

I've been good. Keeping the weight down, execrsing more and eating right.

[Mhannor in reply to Mhannor]

How is your son, is he any better?

[Frin9e in reply to Mhannor]

he's coughing less, waiting for results of full lung function test, he's been coughing 8 months now, he's be asthmatic since he was 6 months old well controlled, this cough, chest pain and breathlessness all started 3 years ago, its taken over his life!

Thanks for reply 😊

[Mhannor in reply to Frin9e]

Is your son any better Frin9e ?

[cmc_]

Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know that food could be causing CVA. Glad you’re on the path to better health and no CVA! 👏🏼

[Mhannor in reply to cmc_]

It was the cause for me. It's been a year since I've cough from food. I believe it's the perservaties and hormones but I'm not sure. I just have to stay away from anything processed. I will eat it like once a month but other than that, memories of CVS don't let me eat more.

[breatheeasy1]

Hi Mhannor thank you for your fascinating story...well done for taking charge of your condition and I hope things continue to improve for you 💪👍

[Mhannor in reply to breatheeasy1]

So far so good. One day at a time. No cough in sight still thank u Jesus.

[Reeyansh]

Hey hi mhannor, good that you r recovering. Y u hospitalised? Only for cough? What is the peak stage of this?

I am also in ur situation now. I am overweight and suffering from CVA.

Guide me please.

In foods to avoid, only processed milk or all milk we need to avoid

[Mhannor]

Hey Reeyansh , I was hospitalized because my cough was so bad. It was tiring me out and I couldn't sleep the cough was so violent, and so loud. Like I stated above, it was so violent, I was peeing and defecating on myself at times. I don't know what you mean by what is the peak stage of this...can you elaborate on what you mean?

Milk aggravated my asthma back then. I only drunk whole milk, so I just stayed away from all Milk, milk became the devil to me. If you research milk and asthma on Google, you will see there is a huge link. So I would say stay away from it. I'm not a doctor but you have to do what is comfortable for you. Its the food that is causing you to be sick. I don't eat the way I used to, I havent cough or been sick in 2+ years. I havent lost or gain any more weight, only maintained. I also would say start fasting. Intermittent fasting will help a lot.

Like I said I was extreme, I fasted, juiced, and just ate clean for a while. If you eat clean your cough will go away. No processed food, nothing in a box or in a package. Get a fitbit and just walk. I still hate exercising, but I'm more afraid of that cough so I make myself walk so I don't have to get that cough ever again in life. Just do more than you are doing now. Thats really it. Change your lifestyle of eating bad to good and the cough will go away.

[Reeyansh in reply to Mhannor]

Thanks for the replay, are you taking medicines now also? Or just maintaining healthy diet. What's ur weight now( if u don't mind).

I recently got CVA and I am pregnant now, how to avoid milk and I stay in Hyderabad (India).

[Mhannor]

Hey Reeyansh ,

I have not taken any meds since I got out the hospital from this post. I no longer have this cough so no need to take meds. I maintain an OK diet but I could do better. I eat healthy 5 days a week now and on the weekend, I have what I want, in moderation. Right now I'm just 174 pds, but I still have about 30pds to go before I reach my ideal weight.

I'm n the USA and since u r pregnant u should talk to a Dr. I don't have kids so what I do with my body doesn't affect others but u can't say the same. Avoiding milk was easy, just stay away from diary. Again the hardest thing will be mental. Overcoming what's in your mind will be the challenge. Talk with a Dr since u r pregnant and even cutting back processed foods will be good for your baby.

[Reeyansh in reply to Mhannor]

Thankyou for ur replay dear

I have couple of qs please and

1. I heard astama is a life long disease, just like tyroid and sugar we should not stop using the medicine. Do we really have astama or just cough

2. Are you still allergitic to milk?

For me milk is God, only by drinking milk with turmeric at night times I am getting sleep( strange na,haha)

I am allergitic to all sweet items and some vegetables.

3. What about peeing?is that controlled for u, After my first delivery I got this stress inconsistent.

Do u know any treatment for this.

I wish u will good health and family.

[Mhannor]

1. I can't speak for you but for me, I was diagnosed with CVA - Cough Virant Asthma. All I knew is I had flare ups when eating or execercising so I wanted to see if losing weight would help and it did. In my belief, Jesus is more powerful than medicine. I wanted to see if doing the things He suggested worked over medicine. I get information from doctors but will allow Jesus to show me how to get my healing from the information I have.

2. I don't drink a lot of milk anymore so milk no longer bothers me. If I drink it, its maybe once a month or less. Research milk allergens and you will see for yourself the dangers of milk

3. I'm not sure what you are asking, but if I was in a coughing fit when I had CVA, I would pee on myself but I havent experienced that in years. The only thing that worked for me for CVA was losing weight.

Good luck in your healing.