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Chronic cough

Posted by larry1443 @larry1443, Oct 1 10:04am

Apologies if already a topic. Couldn’t find one. I have suffered from a chronic cough for last 10 years or so. Comes and goes. Month on, month off. No connection to seasonal allergies. All the test for GERD, asthma. vest extras, different meds, cough syrups, sinus flushing, etc. Nothing works. Mainly when I go to bed a lye down (and just about asleep) and off and on during the day until it tapers off and goes away for a month or so. Then back again. Hard racking cough. Anyone ever experience this? Getting prostate radiation treatments and concerned I may suddenly cough (hard racking cough) during radiation treatment. Any help appreciated

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pjl112 | @pjl112 | Oct 6 10:20am

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.

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crossette | @crossette | Oct 6 5:59pm

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!

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rinagelman49 | @rinagelman49 | Oct 7 9:24am

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.

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larry1443 | @larry1443 | Oct 8 9:31am

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

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sdelima | @sdelima | Oct 14 2:08pm

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.

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larry1443 | @larry1443 | Oct 14 2:34pm

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”. 🥴

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