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Chronic cough for years with tickle in the throat and runny nose
I have been suffering from a chronic dry cough for over five years. During that time, I have seen several pulmonologists and ENT specialists and have tried countless medications and home remedies, yet nothing has provided lasting relief.
My cough occurs in episodes about every other month. Each episode lasts approximately two weeks, then disappears, only to return again a few weeks later. When an attack occurs, I feel a tickle in my throat and then cough intensely and uncontrollably for about 10 seconds. My eyes water, my nose runs, and I sometimes vomit from the severity of the coughing. Afterward, I may get some relief for about thirty minutes before the cycle repeats itself. And all day long I’ll be clearing my throat of phlegm.
This condition has become extremely frustrating and has significantly affected my quality of life. I am trying to understand why this keeps happening and whether anyone has experienced something similar or can offer any insight into possible causes or treatments.
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@edify08, Hey there. I'm sorry you are battling this. Have you been allergy tested? Allergies can cause some of your symptoms. This spring has been a hard season for allergies.
Do you have acid reflux? That also may cause some of your symptoms.
I would try elevating the head of my bed, running a cool mist humidifer at night and stay hydrated.
Praying for you. Blessings........
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2 ReactionsHave you been checked for mold or other microtoxins? You need a specialized MD or naturopath for that. Go through the book "Toxic: Heal your body from Mold Toxicity Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness" by Neil Nathan, MD.
@margvo Many thanks to you! Yes, I have undergone allergy testing and found that I’m allergic to animal dander, pollen and mold. However, I don’t have any animals around me, and there is no mold in my environment. I also used a humidifier for a while, which helped relieve my head congestion, but unfortunately it did not help with the cough.
@margvo
Many thanks to you!
Yes they say that that I’m allergic to mold, however there is no mold in my environment. I will definitely buy the book you recommended.
You have to hire a mold expert to check behind the walls in your home (they will make a small hole in the wall and insert a camera and swab a sample to send to a lab), under the flooring, in the attic etc. We have a 30 year old house that had a couple of water leaks some years ago which were repaired - however not without causing mold as we found out. Several types of mold (including black mold) were found below the flooring in the shower and behind one wall of the kitchen where there had been a leak from an upstairs deck. Big process to get it removed, but these molds can be very dangerous and make you very sick.
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2 Reactions@covidstinks2023 Thank you so much for replying. I have looked into both those things. I’m on allergy medication with no relief. I’m also on a PPI for acid reflux (Nexium) with no relief. Blessings to you as well.
I’ve had the same symptoms for over 20 years. I’ve tried many things, usually one at a time. What finally has done the trick is daily dose of advair diskus (powder inhaler) for asthma and a Zyrtec for allergies. Two weeks consistently and my cough and tickle are gone. I am also allergic to the same list you shared, no mold in my environment, etc. I saw multiple specialists for many years. The problem comes and goes without a pattern. I was diagnosed with asthma 30 years ago but it was very inconsistent, rarely requiring medication. I don’t like to take anything if I don’t think it’s needed. I kept discontinuing it, then allergy season would hit and I’d have the tickle followed by the cough. This combo is what has been working for me now for about 6 months. Good luck.
Please thoroughly read this web site https://jamiekoufman.com/
I've had all of these symptoms for 50 years, and her information and recommendations and treatments have helped me more than the countless doctors I've seen over the 50 years. Please, do yourself a favor, and check her out! Best of luck.
Will do, many thanks to you!