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Chronic cough & sinusitis

Posted by anunez @anunez, Mar 30, 2020

Hi I have been reading posts various lung disease. I am 69 years old and was in excellent health up until 65
I had no seasonal allergies. I rarely had colds or flu.
My current issues started almost 4 years ago with a very productive cough. I felt well with good energy & strength but could not stop coughing. My sinuses began to become congested with excessive mucus. I was put on antibiotics multiple times. I was treated with allergy medications, more antibiotics, low dosage of steroids. Nothing helped! Two years into this illness I had sinus surgery and it helped a bit but the productive cough did not resolve. I am currently diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, asthma, mild to moderate brochiestisis and most recently ( januray - current) a lung infection that has not resolved with bacteria specific (pseudomonas) antibiotics. I have had two CAT Scans since January 2020. I am the SF Bay Area and I am currently married to Kaiser Permanente HMO for treatment.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I would appreciate feed back & ideas.

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ssk999 | @ssk999 | Mar 7, 2025
In reply to @mustlovedogs "Over the years I have had a number of long lasting coughs that were caused by..." + (show)
Profile picture for mustlovedogs @mustlovedogs

Over the years I have had a number of long lasting coughs that were caused by sinus infections. Antibiotics would clear them up. Recently I visited the ENT to request a scan to check for a sinus infection with a view to clearing the cough up with another round of antibiotics. However the CT showed no infection. Doc suggested I see a GI specialist as a chronic cough can often be a sign of reflux especially when accompanied by post nasal drip. I've been going down that particular rabbit hole now for about 5 months. 2 GI docs and 2 endoscopies have shown that there is indeed some mild reflux and a small hiatal hernia. Note I have never had any heartburn just a cough, PND and throat clearing which is kinda new to me. My situation got a bit more complicated as I had to have a CT scan during recovery of the second endoscopy and the radiologist discovered some lung issues including bronchiestasis (heading down that rabbit hole right now and have requested an appointment at the Mayo which luckily I live about 20 mins from). Now I'm not sure where my cough is coming from - the reflux or the lung issues. I think it maybe both but in research I did find that a lot of folks with a chronic cough may have silent reflux or LPR. Maybe worth looking in to.

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I have bronchiectasis very mild. Had recurring sinus infections for 20 years, had deviated septum surgery also. Was losing my voice, my appetite , feeling full all the time, bowel issues all weird stuff. Felt like my stomach was eating itself in middle of night. A spoonful of peanut butter seemed to help. Thought I had an ulcer.
None of that. It was acid reflux, silent gerd and a hiatal hernia. Never had heartburn.. It was going up into my voice box, and probably my sinuses too. I do not doubt there is a connection with the lungs also. Would get nasal congestion at night. So I now sleep on a wedge, head always raised. Always sleep on my back or left side. The other positions will allow acid to leave stomach while sleeping. No drinks or food 2-3 hours before bed either.
My life is so much better. No more nasal congestion or stomach issues. I have my voice back. I nebulize every other day and have to attack respiratory infections quickly with antibiotics. Have had haemopholus infections 2 x in past 6 years, but I am not getting worse. Lots of aerobic exercise at the gym keeps my lungs and heart strong. Mucinex and allergy meds when needed also so I do not get an infection. Treat your reflux. Eliminate that first and see what else is left. It could take 3 months to feel better. Good luck.

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johnnyconway | @johnnyconway | May 17 10:00am
In reply to @mustlovedogs "Over the years I have had a number of long lasting coughs that were caused by..." + (show)
Profile picture for mustlovedogs @mustlovedogs

Over the years I have had a number of long lasting coughs that were caused by sinus infections. Antibiotics would clear them up. Recently I visited the ENT to request a scan to check for a sinus infection with a view to clearing the cough up with another round of antibiotics. However the CT showed no infection. Doc suggested I see a GI specialist as a chronic cough can often be a sign of reflux especially when accompanied by post nasal drip. I've been going down that particular rabbit hole now for about 5 months. 2 GI docs and 2 endoscopies have shown that there is indeed some mild reflux and a small hiatal hernia. Note I have never had any heartburn just a cough, PND and throat clearing which is kinda new to me. My situation got a bit more complicated as I had to have a CT scan during recovery of the second endoscopy and the radiologist discovered some lung issues including bronchiestasis (heading down that rabbit hole right now and have requested an appointment at the Mayo which luckily I live about 20 mins from). Now I'm not sure where my cough is coming from - the reflux or the lung issues. I think it maybe both but in research I did find that a lot of folks with a chronic cough may have silent reflux or LPR. Maybe worth looking in to.

Jump to this post

@mustlovedogs

Hi, I just read your post about your lingering cough and Post Nasal Drip. Iast December I had a bout of either Flu or Covid which knocked myself and my wife off our feet for 2 weeks. My wife fully recovered from it but I had a chronic cough for weeks and my Sinuses are still producing mucus now in mid May. I have had 2 courses of Antibiotics, 3 different types of nasal steroid sprays and a course of Carbocistine pills. My cough is much better now but I have good and bad days. Im using a nasal rinse bottle 2 times per day. I have had a chest X Ray and a CT Scan which showed my chest was clear but it did pick up a small Hiatus Hernia. I do cough up small amounts of mucus throughout the day and when I lie down I can hear rattling on my chest as I breathe. I'm 63 and I have rarely had colds all my life and always got rid of them quickly. Im replying to you to ask how you are doing and if you still have symptoms, if not, what finally cured you.
Many thanks.

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margiel17 | @margiel17 | Sep 17 7:47am

Hello,
I'm also reading posts looking for answers. Did your doctors do AFB testing on the mucus in your sinuses or sputum from your lungs? From what I understand, these specific tests are not common and need to be ordered specifically to find mycobacterium. My infection was missed for several months because of this. It's definitely something I'd insist on.

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