Persistent cough and possible asthma diagnosis

[SunnyDaySunshine]

Hello. I’m new here and keen to find out if other people with asthma have experienced the symptoms I have. I have had a persistent cough for about 4 months. Generally I feel a pressure in my chest and lower throat where it feels like a can’t breath. I then cough as this feels like it relieves the pressure. This helps temporarily but then I feel the build up of a pressure again. The cough is non-productive, very deep and chesty. It can be triggered more by environmental factors such as air freshener or cut grass. However, it is there most of the time regardless. It’s impossible for me to do any kind of cardio without becoming very breathless.

Im struggling the most when I lie down to go to sleep and it feels like a heavy pressure in my chest that causes me to cough.

I’ve had a course of antibiotics and an inhaler, neither help. I have been given a peak flow meter and have a check up in 3 weeks.

Is this similar to other peoples experiences?

thanks for any help!

[SunnyDaySunshine]

I’ve also had a chest X-ray and bloods that have come back fine

[Homely2 Administrator]

Have a chat with the asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, office hours. They are really good.

Asthma can be difficult to diagnose as it presents differently in people, depending on your type of asthma. I have non eosiniphilic asthma and do not wheeze or cough much, so I am not a typical asthmatic.

When they diagnosed my asthma, I had been having increasing chest and breathing issues over three years, and went from being a fittish fell runner to somebody who had issues with day to day walking etc. They initially thought it was cardiac, but then after three years of cardiac tests and my condition worsening, cardiac dept realised it was probably asthma.

My GP asthma nurse then initially diagnosed the asthma by making me do a peak flow diary for a while, then giving me a blue inhaler, then clenil, to see the effect on my peak flow. It improved with the inhalers, so they made an initial asthma diagnosis and referred me back to the hospital, but this time to respiratory rather than cardiac.

Good luck with getting your issues diagnosed, it can take time and persistence, but have a chat with the medics at asthma and lung UK. They can help you know what to ask your GP and increase your knowledge.

My mistake when first getting ill was in not politely challenging the doctors and thinking more widely.

[SunnyDaySunshine in reply to Homely2]

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely get in touch with asthma UK helpline. I hadn’t even considered this!

[Oldandgray]

I was diagnosed with cough variant asthma so coughed a lot and have stuck mucus in my throat. My medication was increased and changed and due to allergies courses of prednisone added. I was also on a drug for acid reflux.

Then last October saw a locum doctor who asked if I had ever had a gastroscopy! She referred me and also put me on Famotidine, a H2 receptor drug. The mucus became much better and coughed less much of the time. I have also got through a trigger month for the allergies without needing steroids.

The gastroscopy revealed LPR, a large heital hernia and gastritis. LPR is when the stomach acid reaches the throat causing coughing, thick mucus and hoarseness! Just a thought.🫣

[SunnyDaySunshine in reply to Oldandgray]

That’s so interesting! I’ll have a look into it. Thank you!

[CallysMum]

Yes, but after a few minutes of coughing mucus is then produced and coughed up. Asthma seems to have quite varied symptoms.