Chronic cough: What helped you?

Just raising the possibility..... I have had Sarcoidosis for over 30 years and I have had a dry cough throughout that time frame. IF that is what you have they will most likely prescribe prednisone. Not easy to diagnose.

For the last 15 to 20 years I have had this cough that starts either in June, July or August. But not every year.
The cough is dormant all day but as soon as I sit down on the couch to watch TV it starts up within minutes. Tussin DM cough syrup is the only thing that cuts it way back. When I go to bed it is gone and I sleep OK. The very first time I went to the Dr. for this he prescribed prednisone which knocked it off. But the next time we tried that a few years later it did not work. No one has any ideas about why this happens! It is a mystery of modern medicine!

Larry, talk to your doctor first, but I would suggest to take 50 or 25 mg of Tramadol (again, discuss the dosage with your doctor), which is know for suppressing cough. That what my husband, who has a similar kind of cough, does when he has a test or procedure requiring total stillness. Good luck with your radiation treatment.

Thank you! I made a reminder to talk to doctor at upcoming visit. 👍

I would highly recommend a Chest CT Scan. I have had a chronic cough for the last 2 years, my PCP ordered a chest CT Scan. They found lung scarring, never smoked a day in my life. I also have the autoimmune disease Sjogren's. I would get the CT scan just for piece of mind.

Thanks. I had chest xray some years back. All ok. However I have a small lung nodule being monitored with annual CT scan. So far, not growing. So far have ruled out chest or lung issues, Asthma, GERD, deviated septum and numerous meds. Just comes and goes. Month on. Month off. Ramps up, peaks, then back down and ok for a month. Going on around 15 years now. One ENT doc said chronic sinusitis. Occasionally turns into sinus infection but only occasionally. Usually accompanied with post nasal drip. Tried sinus irrigation, various cough syrups, etc. nothing helps except to let it do its thing and wait to cycle back down. Very self conscious when coughing in public, in checkout at grocery store, etc.. I say “sorry, chronic cough. Not a cold or covid” You can tell by the look on their face “yea, sure”. 🥴

i’ve tried everything i do have gerd take meds for that i take allergy and decongestant allergy meds don’t work this is the worst summer i ever had

@pamelaeck ,
I'm so sorry you are having this problem with coughing! That must be terrible for you! I don't have quite that problem but I do get a ticklish throat sometimes and cough a lot. What helps me then is to gargle with Listerine, the original not the new flavored ones. It stings a little if there's some infection but it also soothes. For me it has stopped the coughing in a little while.

You also might check the side effects of all of your medications to see if they may be contributing to your problem.

Prayer also works. God made you and he can fix you! I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

@pamelaeck I had GERD a lot and then learned a year ago that I have non IgE allergy to corn. I try to avoid it, but corn is in everything. I get GERD when I eat “hidden corn”. I also started looking at foods that have cross reactivity with environmental allergens. Maybe look at allergens?

@larry1443
I get you. Same story here except no deviated septum. I don’t avoid public places but I am very self conscious too, always explaining myself. Sometimes I just wear a mask. Eating out with people I am so sure they are annoyed but are trying to be understanding. We’re all looking for solutions to this multi factorial ailment and I have read that there is medication in the research pipeline for LPR which would be so magnificent. In the meantime trying to avoid stress and known triggers, and continually researching LPR is all I can come up with.
Empathizing with all of you chronic cough sufferers.