Cough variant asthma

[Vicethchris]

Hiya.

I have been coughing for the last 5/6 weeks. Dry tickly cough. Have been coughing up on few occasions but not continuous. Been to gp’s and not interested as chest is clear. I have apt with asthma nurse on Wednesday see what she says. The cough is constant the last 2 weeks to the point it hrs to catch breath. Inhalers work for a couple of minutes then it starts again, another coughing attack. Some people have said to go to a & e but I feel silly just for a cough. Any help will be gratefully rcvd.

[Oldandgray]

I have CVA. And professionals seem to find it difficult to confirm on occasion. Ask for a spirometer test to check lung function before and after ventalin. Also my CVA is allergy related and I also needed a dual puffer with LABA . I am now on my third type as the first didn’t work, the second gave me severe muscle cramps, and the third I have only just started on but my peak flow is improving.

One of my main problems is I never wheeze and some professionals can’t cope with no wheeze!

Before you see the asthma nurse make sure you have sortedvin your mind how you want to get tested. Talk to one of Athma UK nurses as well so you have a good understanding.

[KevinLondon]

I have a similar cough. Doctor put me on a daily steroid inhaler which made me worse. I have recently discovered that taking anti histamine stops me coughing within minutes ! Worth a try

[Hidden]

Happening to me last year after exposed to a couple of viruses. Took months and then after I hit crisis... needed blue inhaler every couple of hours... the gp put me on 5 days of oral steroids which cleared it completely. Try asking for those.

[Hidden]

You sound just like me. I can get a normal peak flow reading and usually no wheeze but I cough all the time if untreated. Getting the correct inhaler will work, I find I have to have a good cough before taking my inhaler otherwise the inhaler sets off a coughing fit and I don't hold the drug in. A lot depends on the doctor you see on the day, some take it seriously some don't. It's easy to give up with the system at the moment there's just too few doctors for the number of patients they have to see. Be persistent, ask to see a different doctor until you see one that takes you seriously.

[Hidden]

ps my asthma nurse said "are sure your cough is not just a habit?"

[Morky in reply to Hidden]

Thats stupid, why would anyone wear themselves out coughing all the time when they didnt have to. I hate my cough it hurts my muscles and keeps me awake

[Hidden in reply to Morky]

My cough eventually stopped after about the sixth week of being on Fostair, I can take it now without coughing it back out.

[Morky in reply to Hidden]

Thats good to hear. Coughing sucks. I am sick of coughing yet again. I had about 4 days off, now doing it again

[Jsc3]

hello .are you on Ramipril for blood pressure if so they may cause your problem .also I think check with doctor but people over 60 need to change from remipril

[Wheezycat in reply to Jsc3]

I am nearly 70 and I am on Ramipril. Occasionally for other reasons I have been changed to what is called a calcium channel blocker, but my legs swell up terribly, so I avoid them madly. Those are the Amlodipine, and phelopidine varieties. Someone would have to give me a very good reason to change, not just my age, as those side effects really bother me.

[zionfrost]

I've had cough variant asthma for 20 years. I'm on Symbicort daily and Albuterol as needed. It takes a while for inhalers to work. Sometimes they irritate my throat and I cough worse. One thing that I need to remember is regardless how good I feel, I need to use the Symbicort. I tend to slack off when I'm having a good week. These two plus a daily dose of Montelukast are my three drugs of choice. They definitely help. About 2 to 3 times a year I get coughing really bad with fluid in my lungs and need a regimen of prednisone and antibiotic. I hope this gives you some insight. Oh, I'm a 73 year old man with otherwise good health and live in an arid high altitude desert area in the states. Good luck.

[BarrieB]

One thing not mentioned so far is throat irritation caused by silent reflux. I assume that like me you do not suffer the full reflux/indigestion symptoms. Once treated my cough disappeared. There is a clue if the cough is worse after eating or at night.