Connect
Asthma? Persistent Cough, Mostly at Night
I have been coughing for more than a year, and it keeps me from exercising and sleeping. During the day time, cough drop is enough to suppress my cough, but I need to sit upright to sleep at night. Once I lie down I tend to start coughing. My sinus is blocked at night time but when I start coughing I somehow need to keep blowing my nose until eventually I feel better. When I take a nap during the day time I can lie down to sleep without any problem. I don't have any chest tightness or any unusual feeling around my lungs.
I have been seeing multiple doctors (general practitioner, pulmonary doctor, and naturopath doctor) on my persistent cough for a while. I tried multiple inhalers but stopped them after a while because I'm afraid of the side effects & I lost my voice when I used the inhaler. They think it may be asthma, but there is no definite answer. My lung x-ray was "perfectly clean" and passed my lung function test.
Does anyone have any idea what I have or suggestion on what I should do next? I would also like to find any natural cure. I have been using cough drops, honey and ginger, and anti-histamine sometimes. I'd appreciate your input!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.
Connect
Maybe an antihistamine at night? I take ALLEGRA to dry up post nasal drip at night. somethimes I stick my head over a bowl or pan of boiling water and cover with a towel to get it to drain out. It's a pain in the butt to have to go through this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@heartyrainbow A persistent cough can be caused by many things, among them are post-nasal drip - mucus from the sinuses flowing down the back of the throat. Or it could be gastro-esophogeal reflux where stomach contents leak upward, an over-reactive airway, allergies, or even vocal chord dysfunction. An ENT (Otolaryngologist) or an allergy specialist may be helpful.
Have you seen one?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@anna17 Thank you for the response! I've been taking Benadryl at night and it seems to help a little, but not enough. Perhaps I'll try Allegra.
I tried humidifier and Neti Pot but it doesn't seem to help much.
@sueinmn Thank you for the response! Post-nasal drip sounds about right... I'm trying to make an appointment with ENT, but I have to wait for months. I'll give it a try.
I can't use a decongestant, but I think they would work too. Allegra takes around an hour to start working and lasts for 12 hours. Might want to take it way before you go to bed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGood to know. Thank you!