Cough Variant Asthma

[A4Mami]

I'm a 58 y/o in TX where the mountain cedar is horrible for allergy sufferers such as myself. Two yrs after I received a diagnosis of Mild COPD after coughing (nonproductive) for a month. My pulmonologist says he's abt 98% sure its Cough Variant Asthma. I hav all the asthma symptoms except I don't wheeze. Im struggling to find the real diagnosis since my PFT numbers don't indicate that I actually hav asthma and the same regarding my bloodwork. Im in the process of seeking a second opinion? I cough all day everyday and worse at night. Currently on Spiriva and Delura as my maint and Combivent as my rescue. I also use a nebulizer. I've hd 4 asthma attacks each time feeling as though I wsn't gna make it. I came to the quick realization that I hd to calm myself down breath thru my nose so I cud use my rescue inhaler. At times I hav difficulty swallowing and easily choke on food due to my chronic cough and now weight loss. Thru it all.. the conflicting info is just another layer. So hoping I find exactly what causing this cough.

[lstjean]

A4mani, I experienced something similar. Nonproductive cough for 14 months, no wheezing but I had a slight rasp in the way in and out. Two spirometry tests came back normal. Finally given the methacholene challenge and was definitive for asthma. Around the same time, I had gone to an ENT because I was getting to the point that the coughing turned into choking. I was diagnosed with a vocal cord disorder PVFM. Asthma and PVFM tend to happen concurrently. People can have difficulty swallowing. My cords collapse at times when they should be opening. Just a thought for you to maybe try an ENT. Good luck.

[A4Mami in reply to lstjean]

Istjean, thanks so much for ur input. I feel Im the ONLY one with these issues. I hd an ENT consult last month nd diag with GERD.. the Nexium is providing some relief. Recent bloodwork for a clinical trial (Benralizumab) showed my eosinophil ct ws less thn 200. Will def inquire abt the methachloine challenge. Suppose to hav a Swallow Test done also.Take care & thx agn.

[SLS14]

If you have reflux, it will make you cough and worse at night. I have cough varient asthma and reflux.