Chronic Cough

[StephhGray]

Morning Everyone,

I have pernicious anaemia (PA) diagnosed after I presented with symptoms for several years. I am 27 and have a persistent cough - I had the same cough for years. Could it be related to my PA? Does anyone experience the same?

Thanks in advance ✌🏽

[pvanderaa]

Have you been tested for allergies. Some allergies manifest as lung / breathing symptoms.

Cough reflex could also be related to vagus nerve issues. That could be B12D.

[StephhGray in reply to pvanderaa]

I have an appointment with my GP so I’ll defiantly ask about allergies.

Sorry I’m fairly new to this all. What’s vagus nerve?

[pvanderaa in reply to StephhGray]

The vagus nerve goes from the brain along the throat to the stomach. Two branches; one along the front and the other along the back.

It controls the production of acid in the stomach is response to stress

[fbirder in reply to StephhGray]

The vagus nerve is responsible for a lot of things. It connects to every organ below the neck and is what controls a lot of the unconscious workings of the body.

Cutting the vagus nerve used to be considered the best treatment for stomach ulcers. It's now being looked at as a replacement for gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. It also seems to greatly reduce the risk of Parkinson's Disease.

Because the vagus nerve has so many jobs in so many organs it's easy say it is to blame for any problem.

Normally B12 deficiency doesn't affect the cranial nerves, apart from the optic nerve - and that in less than 1% of people with a diagnosed deficiency journal.opted.org/article/v... . But there is at least one patient who had vagus nerve damage - journal.opted.org/article/v...

[JanD236]

I don’t know whether or not your cough could be related to your PA but I do think that as it’s been persistent for so long it should be investigated in its own right. There are very many reasons for a persistent cough that are not related to PA.

[moomoo17]

Hi that definitely needs investigating. I echo allergies, but it could be acid reflux too. Don't just accept ppi medication for this without investigation, it further blocks b12 absorption, if you aren't on enough injections for you they'll make it worse. Reflux can cause damage though so it needs sorting, if you try the ppis perhaps increase injections. It blocks a whole manner of nutrients from being absorbed. You can try to elecre your head in bed, cut spicy food, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol. Google ways to ease reflux. Also wait at least 45mins after eating before laying down. Ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist and ENT/respiratory medicine.