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Anyone have "cough variant" asthma? Vocal cord dysfunction?

Posted by jko1 @jko1, Apr 8, 2019

Anyone else on the forum with cough variant asthma? How about vocal cord dysfunction or the two together?

I have struggled with cough variant asthma for many years. Recently I was also diagnosed with vocal cord dysfunction as well--specifically irritable larynx syndrome. I've had voice therapy, but I'm interested in other ways people are coping with the combination.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | 6 days ago
In reply to @drsharon "@hopeful33250 one possible thought- when I was first evaluated for asthma my spirometry test showed my..." + (show)
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@hopeful33250 one possible thought- when I was first evaluated for asthma my spirometry test showed my breathing was 103% of normal so they couldn’t understand why I kept telling them I felt I wasn’t getting enough air. After a lot of treatments my test results went to 150% of “normal “. They now call me a super breather or outlier. I still have pretty nasty asthma but my readings are different from most. Yours may be as well.

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@drsharon

That is interesting. Even when I've been to the doctor or walk-in clinic, with noticeable wheezing, my oxygen level (tested on the finger) is usually always in the normal range.

This asthma diagnosis is new to me, and I'm learning a lot. The term "super breather" is quite the title!

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bcischke | @bcischke | 5 days ago

I developed cough variant asthma after living in Michigan all of my life, and moving to Florida is when it began. But I am now dealing with a neurological cough for the last two years. I believe that despite different medications for my cough variant asthma. Getting injections near the vagal nerve. Chewing gum has reduced the amount of coughs per day and drinking fluids plus a lozenge in my mouth. Also receiving allergy shots.

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bcischke | @bcischke | 5 days ago
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @jko1 - If I understand what you are saying by cough variant asthma, that is..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @jko1 - If I understand what you are saying by cough variant asthma, that is what I have. My major symptom from asthma is coughing. I understand I wheeze, but it's inaudible.

Tagging a few other members who may have input on coping with cough variant asthma @anna17 @gift440 @lenchiksf @drsharon @hicopd, and also with vocal cord dysfunction @jko1 @jdbarr1 @adkindt @blm1007blm1007. @mth13 also may have some input.

I wanted to see how you are doing lately with the cough variant asthma and the vocal cord dysfunction, jko1?

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@lisalucier I don't have vocal cord dysfunction, but I have cough variant asthma with a neurological cough that developed two years ago. Currently attempting nerve block shots in the neck near the vagal nerve. Overall, in the last two years, I have found chewing gum to be helpful and a lozenge in my mouth besides drinking water frequently. I wonder if acupuncture would be helpful to stop and relax the vagal nerve. I have no idea. I haven't tried it yet and don't know where to find a good one. I live in Jupiter, Florida.

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drsharon | @drsharon | 2 days ago
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@drsharon That is interesting. Even when I've been to the doctor or walk-in clinic, with noticeable..." + (show)
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@drsharon

That is interesting. Even when I've been to the doctor or walk-in clinic, with noticeable wheezing, my oxygen level (tested on the finger) is usually always in the normal range.

This asthma diagnosis is new to me, and I'm learning a lot. The term "super breather" is quite the title!

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 by the way, you may be better off in an asthma clinic, where they measure you with a spirometry test rather than blood oxygen level. They can compare the amount of oxygen you’re actually getting each time with an FEV (you blow into it as hard as you ) and see if you’re getting better or worse with your medication. Good luck!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | 2 days ago
In reply to @drsharon "@hopeful33250 by the way, you may be better off in an asthma clinic, where they measure..." + (show)
Profile picture for drsharon @drsharon

@hopeful33250 by the way, you may be better off in an asthma clinic, where they measure you with a spirometry test rather than blood oxygen level. They can compare the amount of oxygen you’re actually getting each time with an FEV (you blow into it as hard as you ) and see if you’re getting better or worse with your medication. Good luck!

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@drsharon

I think I had that type of test when I was seen at the pulmonology clinic. They did a 45-minute PFT that included breathing into the machine, and then I had 3-4 puffs of albuterol at different points during the PFT. It showed normal gas exchange, normal lung volumes, and normal arterial oxygen saturation at rest while breathing room air. So, it doesn't look too bad.

I am feeling better with the generic Symbicort and the Aerobika. I'm not constantly coughing or clearing my throat. I am definitely sleeping better and feel clearer-headed during the day.

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drsharon | @drsharon | 2 days ago
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@drsharon I think I had that type of test when I was seen at the pulmonology..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@drsharon

I think I had that type of test when I was seen at the pulmonology clinic. They did a 45-minute PFT that included breathing into the machine, and then I had 3-4 puffs of albuterol at different points during the PFT. It showed normal gas exchange, normal lung volumes, and normal arterial oxygen saturation at rest while breathing room air. So, it doesn't look too bad.

I am feeling better with the generic Symbicort and the Aerobika. I'm not constantly coughing or clearing my throat. I am definitely sleeping better and feel clearer-headed during the day.

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@hopeful33250 so glad to hear it!

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