constant dry cough

[Allot]

hi everyone I have LPR which I have been managing with Rennies and Gaviscon Advance since coming off PPIs However I have now developed constant tickle in the back of my throat which causes me to cough constantly also shortness of breath - does anyone else have these symptoms and ideas on how to stop it ?

[Badger2024]

sounds like ‘silent reflux’. Look it up. Mine caused an annoying dry cough too. Particularly if I was dehydrated. PPIs fixed it completely but having been on them for around six years I recently found out that they have caused chronic kidney disease. You can look that up too. Disgusting that the pharma companies know about this and also that my GP didn’t investigate sooner when my kidneys were declining when the advice here in Australia is to immediately stop the PPI and investigate. So now I see a nephrologist who has put me on an H2 inhibitor which are far safer for your kidneys and also stop my silent reflex cough. I also have to take Gaviscon at night

[Allot in reply to Badger2024]

Thanks for reply - I have silent reflux but the cough is new! I stopped PPIs due B 12 deficiency and other long term problems . I’ll speak to doctor re H2 inhibitors

[ParkSchool5 in reply to Allot]

Hi, it could be due to acid particles coming up into your throat and causing irritation. That's what happens to me, despite meds, especially in the mornings.

[priss58 in reply to Allot]

Hello. I've just been diagnosed with LPR, it's pretty bad with the dry cough. According to ENT my throat is very red and swollen. I think that's probably the effects of the reflux. I've been prescribed Lansoprazole for a month. Plus Gaviscon Advance, which seems to be excellent for this condition. Early days for me. I don't want to be on this drug for ages because I'd be concerned about my kidneys like Badger has mentioned. The dry cough though is really upsetting. And I'm not much help as the ENT, lovely as he was, gave no clue how to stop it! As soon as I get another appointment I will also be asking about H2. But you should try to get seen ASAP, especially with shortness of breath. I was at the GP so many times recently, so I paid for a private consultation but now I'm back to the GP to get a referral.

Let us know how you get on. And good luck x

[Allot in reply to priss58]

Thanks I have Gaviscon Advance but doesn’t seem to make any difference - I might try GP if I can get an appointment!!! I ended up paying for private appointment that’s when I found out I had LPR, gastritis and an ulcer. I stopped taking PPis and have been ok up to now with this cough - keeps we awake at night

[priss58 in reply to Allot]

Yes, the cough is driving ne nuts, too. I di t really know if Gaviscon is helping me either! It's early days for me. Good luck x

[Badger2024 in reply to Allot]

Is the cough new since stopping the PPI? My cough came back too. Also constantly clearing my throat which is probably due to a post-nasal drip. An H2 blocker will likely stop the cough if it’s due to silent reflux. Like anybody who develops a chronic cough it’s always a good idea to rule out a lung problem by having a chest X-ray or whatever your doctor recommends. I was put on the H2 blocker called famotidine but it gave me a belly ache, nausea and constant belching. I was then switched to Nizatidine which has been great although nothing as good as PPIs other than the fact they gave me irreversible kidney disease!!

[ParkSchool5]

p.s. I find sucking ice cubes helps relieve it.

[Allot in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thanks - I also suffer with asthma so difficult to tell whether it’s LPR or that that’s causing the cough .

[Julie-1958]

You could try reading Dropping Acid by Dr Jamie Koufman she also has a blog which has a lot about LPR and her protocol for a dry cough

[Allot in reply to Julie-1958]

Thanks

[Beanlover]

I have had silent reflux for a number of years. I first noticed it because of the cough. I take Pantoprazole once a day, and Gaviscon at night. The cough is intermittent, usually in the morning and at intervals during the day, frequently when I eat. I take Ramipril for heart issues, which I know causes coughing. I also have had diagnosed issues relating to my vocal folds, and a loose bit on my epiglottis, which can cause coughing. It is manageable so I am just putting up with it.

[SableBandit]

you could try slippery elm powder as that coats the throat. I use that and there are slippery elm losengers. I also use ginger losengers . Also gargling with baking soda helps. As does gargling with salt water. Sometimes I gargle with 3 % peroxide. Just be sure not to swallow and rinse well with water.

[Allot in reply to SableBandit]

Thanks I’ll try some of those x