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

Hi @jko1 and welcome to Connect.

While we wait for others to take part in this discussion, i thought I would share more information about vocal cord dysfunction: https://www.nationaljewish.org/health-insights/health-infographics/understanding-vocal-cord-dysfunction

@jko1 how are your doctor's treating you for these conditions at this time?

Thanks for the vocal cord dysfunction. My doctors sent me to speech therapy, which seems to be the most common treatment for vocal cord dysfunction. (Mine seems to be a variant known as irritable larynx syndrome.) Unfortunately, vocal cord dysfunction seems to be in the domain of ENTs, which asthma is in the domain of Pulmonologists. So far, the two groups aren't working all that well together on thinking through the interplay between the two and the appropriate treatments that best support both conditions.

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?

Yes, at National Jewish they do seem to refer folks to speech therapists for VCD but some ENTs may also be able to help with this.

For cough variant asthma, I believe having the asthma under optimal control and minimizing exposure to triggers should help most.

Optimal control may require trying different combos of treatments as well as getting allergy triggers under optimal control. For me, it included going to National Jewish for RUSH Immunotherapy because my local docs couldn’t safely get me to maintenance dose locally without major risk.

I had allergy shots for 7 years and then stopped. It seems to have helped somewhat to have me less “twitchy” to allergens. I am now under good control for not having allergy flares ups (for the most part).

Agree with above - optimal control for Cough Variant Asthma (i am on advair hfa 230/21 ). and avoiding triggers for vocal cords. I dont have vocal cord dysf as dx, but tend to loose voice with allergins (ie cats)

Have you tried to see allergy md ? - they can address from their angle. They also versed in asthma care

Hi, @jko1 - wondering how things are going with your cough variant asthma and the vocal cord dysfunction? Have you tried treatments beyond the voice therapy?

What led you to this diagnosis. I lose my voice and cough for what seems like no reason. Hoarse a lot but I am also on Trelegy

Hi, @km6 - just confirming you are asking @jko1 what led to their diagnosis of cough variant asthma?

I am headed to speech therapy. I have cough asthma and COPD. And a Vocal Cord Dysfunction. I never smoked but my parents did and I had atypical micoplasma pneumonia in 1970. I had an alerhic reaction to propellant in 2009 and had NO voice for six months. Then a monotone than just a different lower voice. I now get anaphylactics from Albuterol and more recently also it's mirror image LevAlbuterol. Both used by nebulizer as I am allergic to propellants and all medications commonly used for Asthma. I now nebulizer a 9% saline solution three or four times daily and take the equivalent of 1200 mg Musinex twice daily. Antihistamines used to help also. I'm now trying Ketotifen(special compound pharmacy required) which is an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer that one builds up slowly. That helps my cough ( I guess I have a mast cell problem-which is rare). But it makes my balance worse and my BP is too high. It's all an experiment in progress. I have more high quality air filters in my condo, avoid all common chemicals in cleaning products and personal care products and require a GF DF low FODMAP low fructose diet with numerous other foods also avoided. A bit weird, time consuming, but I turn 84 next month. So yes, we have some medical issues in common! ( I also comment in the meningioma group having had one removed in 2007 at Mayo)