Evening and nighttime coughing

[Atom1]

Hi. I have had an awful cough for seven weeks now. My chest is clear. Bloods clear. Still can't shift my cough. Any ideas what could be wrong. Don't want to have this on a permanent basis. Never experienced this before.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi - thinking this sounds like it could be asthma not being under control! Whatever you've been told by doctors, a wheeze is *not* required for asthma - cough can also be a symptom, and evening and night-time coughing especially is linked with asthma, which tends to be worse at night. If it is asthma rather than a chest infection bloods may well be normal. I have had attacks with a really horrible cough, no wheeze and normal bloods.

Have you noticed any specific triggers for the cough, besides it happening in the evening/at night? And does your reliever inhaler help it? I always know when my cough is asthma - it's a dry cough from the chest and generally the reliever helps it. Also wondering if you check peak flow though that can be deceptive - it's not useful for everyone and you can be having asthma if it's 'ok', but if it is reduced in comparison to your best, that might point towards asthma being not so well controlled.

Probably worth going back to your GP - might not be asthma but that shouldn't be ruled out by the clear chest/bloods. I also noticed you posted a few times about stuffy nose and nasal sprays - if you have post-nasal drip that can run down into your chest and cause a cough, plus flare up your asthma. I believe post-nasal drip can be worse at night too because you lie down to sleep and it all drains into places it shouldn't be.

It might be worth giving the Asthma UK nurses a ring before you see the GP as they can hear the whole story and make some suggestions about what's available/what to raise with the GP.

[Atom1 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[andydandy]

IF it happens to be a post nasal drip, it can make you cough till you vomit and gag. I had it really bad and started using Allegra every day. I can't use decongestants and antihistamines work really well for me. Just make sure you buy 'non-drowsy' formulas unless you want to sleep all the time. BE SURE to drink lots of liquids too. Good luck.

[Atom1 in reply to andydandy]

Thanks.

[baroque570]

Could it be 'cough-variant asthma'? That presents as a cough, not a wheeze. You might want to check it out. Good luck.

[Atom1]

It sounds like it is. Just never had any problems like this at night before. Thanks.