I am getting a persistent cough

[smilelines]

Is it always really bad or can a person have a cough with RA that is not too serious or destructive to the lungs. I have had a cough for about 8 months. I am worried I might have interstitial lung disease due to RA.

[KittyJ]

Can I ask what PRD is please, nothing comes up in a search? Have you seen your GP if you’ve had a cough for that long? What did they say?

[smilelines in reply to KittyJ]

OH my gosh. Where did I get PRD from? I meant Pulmonary Rheumatoid Disease but when I looked it up there is no such thing. I tried to fix my post but it is not letting me. I should have said I am worried I might have rheumatoid lung disease. (RA-ILD). My GP said that he would send me for a pulmonary test. My rheumatologist said to see my doctor. The thing that makes me really upset is that I go and ask and get NO answers from the doctors. So then I goggle and see that the survival rate is 3.2 years to 8.1 years from the time of diagnosis for an interstitial lung disease due to RA.

[smilelines in reply to KittyJ]

OK I figured out how to change my post. lol. Thanks for asking what PRD is. LOL. Product Requirement Document. Haha.

[sylvi]

If in doubt ring the drs and see what they have to say and also ring the rheumy. xxxx

[Fra22-57]

Ask doctor to send you for an xray.I was sent to ENT at hospital after telephone diagnosis of silent acid reflux. I dont actually have acid reflux but I have had persistent cough for 2 years.no nose sprays ,tablets,cream etc has stopped it and I get worried looks with my coughing which I quickly explain is not covid

[rabbits65 in reply to Fra22-57]

I was a bit like you and mine turned out to be a hiatus hernia . Quite common apparently. I get some acid reflux but very little. I take 20mg of omraprazole . The acid no matter how small causes me to cough , but not all the time. I might go and get mine ready checked again .

[helenlw7]

I was diagnosed with RA in 2004 and in 2012 I started with a cough which lasted until 2017! I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis ( probably caused by bronchitis when I was a baby) and severe uncontrolled asthma. The cough was only stopped when I was put on an antibiotic, azithromycin as a prophylactic to prevent to cut down on the number of chest infections. We discussed the possibility of the cough being related to RA but it was thought it wasn’t. I hope you get sorted.

[Amandajane64]

Hi, ive had a chronic cough for a few years. Had tests for asthma and xrays, all negative. Think its just another symptom we have to live with. Mine always feels upper respiratory and i think possibly due to post nasal drip? I have very dry nose and mouth and mucus production has decreased so could also be irratation? Hope this helps, just make sure docs have ruled out other causes.🙂

[trunchalobesity]

I have ILD with Scleroderma I also have RA.Please speak to your rheumatologist because you need tests.

I’ve had IKD for 20 years now and my lungs while deteriorating early on have now stabilised and even improved a little due to advances in medical treatment.

I have regular lung function tests and am on the immune suppressant mycophenolate which has been a game changer for me.

Any persistent cough needs investigation, do not delay.

Best wishes and good luck x

[Anniebl24]

One of my previous drugs gave me a cough which lasted months, could it be that?

[Leics]

I have a persistent cough too which I’ve had for many months. I’ve already had two courses of antibiotics which although made it feel a little better didn’t clear it. Finally it came back with a very bad wheezing and crackling in my lungs so sent a sputum sample off turns out it’s an antibiotic resistant bacterial chest infection but at least this time I’ve got the right antibiotics so another two weeks hopefully it will be cleared. I did have a chest X-ray a couple of months ago and that was clear although I was coughing at the time. If you’re worried about a persistent cough I think it’s time you had some more tests. It could be an underlying infection which keeps coming back as you don’t have the right antibiotics like in my case but you’ll never know unless you push for tests. Have to say Dr Google is never a good idea so try not to use it if possible go and see someone who knows.