Chronic cough

[SBosnjak]

Hi guys,

I have had this ongoing cough for several years now. When I was younger the doctor I spoke to told me it had become somewhat of a habit.

It isn't a bad cough at all just really annoying. It get's worse after I do any kind of exercise...when playing football or going for a run.

My doctor still hasn't been able to give me a proper diagnosis. I have tried some kind of nasal drips recently and also have been told that I don't have asthma. Since the nasal drips didn't work I have pretty much just given up as it takes ages to get seen to by my doctor and nothing seems to help.

I'd like to consider myself relatively healthy. Over the last year or so this cough has just been playing on my mind all the time. It is so frustrating and I would love for it to go away.

I have also made the mistake of reading up on stuff online and I have started worrying a great deal. I know I should try and avoid this!

If anyone has any advice or information it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Sasha

[Shancock]

I think it needs investigating you should not be coughing for that long for no reason. But don't worry yourself as it's almost certainly not serious or you'd feel awful believe me. It could be nasal and if there's excess mucus it can drip into your lungs causing a frequent cough, or it could be excess acid from your stomach entering your lungs and irritating your throat. Could be a tonsil problem? But I'm no doctor so that's what they should be saying! I would go to the GP and insist that you see a specialist who can get to the bottom of it. Probably a respiratory specialist at first to check the obvious things. You'll have to wait as it won't be classed as urgent but you should be seen within 12 weeks usually.

Be good for you to know the cause and have it ease off as I'm sure they'll be something to help you. Meantime, don't worry it doesn't sound like a serious issue just something that needs sorting for the long term.

[SBosnjak in reply to Shancock]

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me!

You have made me feel a little bit better already. I was given some kind of nasal drops to take for a few weeks which didn't do much so I'm not sure whether to rule that out or not. I will make another appointment with my GP asap to try and get to the bottom of it all.

I guess the main thing is that it isn't getting worse...it's just become really annoying!

Just need to try and cope with the paranoia and the overthinking as well.

[Shancock in reply to SBosnjak]

There's so many different nasal drops and sprays to try, I even had countless ones, it's finding the right one really. But don't over think it I'm sure it's nothing sinister, if it was bad infection or something you'd have a fever and feel awful trust me.

Don't let GP do noting though, if it's not viral or infection there's not much they can do that's why you need to see a specialist to investigate it so it doesn't get worse or cause problems later in life,

[SBosnjak in reply to Shancock]

I see...well if my doctor does believe that it is nasal related I will see what other options are available for me.

I will definitely push to see a specialist. I was meant to get a letter a while back to see someone in the ENT department but never received anything. I guess as it is not causing me any current pain I keep putting it off but I think it's time I get it sorted properly once and for all.

Thanks again for your kind advice.

[hypercat54]

A friend (no medical issues) had a chronic dry cough for years and doctors did nothing. Eventually she cut out all dairy and reintroduced it one at a time. She found she was intolerant of ice cream and cows milk. Since cutting those out her cough has gone completely.

Might be worth a try.

[SBosnjak in reply to hypercat54]

Wow, that's insane! Thanks for that...I will bear that in mind.

What made her decide to try cutting out dairy?

[hypercat54 in reply to SBosnjak]

She read about it somewhere and decided to try it. Like I said worth trying in case this is it. It is apparently quite common to be intolerant to some dairy products.

I know this works coz when we had a coffee she had inadvertently put cows milk in her coffee and she started coughing.

[Minstrelgirl]

Hi I was going to reply to you but everything I would of said has been covered by others one point I would like to make you must insist on a second opinion ,don't let the Dr fob you off , and if you want a allergy test you can get it done at Holland and Barretts .I do hope you sort it out and I think if you get something done you will feel much better mentally stop you worrying ,Good luck let us know how you get on.

[SBosnjak in reply to Minstrelgirl]

Thanks for that. I will look into allergy tests as well.

[katieoxo60]

Hi Hypercat54, I have a cough like you and am diagnosed as asthma/COPD wonder if it could be dairy foods I take inhalers but it still occurs if I overdo things would like to know how you get on please.

[SBosnjak]

Hi guys,

Just to update you on this...

I have spoken to my doctor and she has referred me to a Thoracic clinic at my local hospital. My appointment is in early January so hopefully I will be able to get some answers soon.

Not exactly sure what to expect from this examination but I assume it will be several tests and maybe an X Ray.

My doctor also referred me to the ENT department. The appointment for that is not until May 2018 though which is a bit annoying.

Fingers crossed all goes well!

[Stumpy55 in reply to SBosnjak]

Hi SBosnjak, wishing you well and fingers crossed you get the answers you need. It's the not knowing that gets you down. Let us know ✋️😊