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

@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!

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.

@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.

@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!

@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.

@hopeful33250 so glad to hear it!

Hi everyone — I’m new here and really hoping to connect with others who may have insight or similar experiences.

My husband has been dealing with a persistent cough for a little over two months, and so far we haven’t been able to get a clear diagnosis. He actually has two distinct types of cough. One feels like a sudden tightening in his throat that seems to briefly cut off his airway and triggers coughing. The other is a more continuous cough that he can’t stop unless he takes a Tessalon Perle. The coughing is noticeably worse when he talks a lot, gets overheated, and at night.

A CT scan showed complete blockage on one side of his sinus cavity. He has seen multiple specialists so far — his internist, a pulmonologist, a neurologist, and an ENT. He was also hospitalized for a week, during which he received IV antibiotics/steroids and had a bronchoscopy. His lungs were reported as clear, and all blood work has come back normal.

In addition to the cough, his main symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, and night sweats. We asked the neurologist about the possibility of laryngeal neuropathy (my husband also has CIPD), but he was unfamiliar with it.

He is scheduled to undergo allergy testing and will also be having a balloon sinuplasty in the near future to address the sinus blockage.

At this point we’re feeling pretty overwhelmed and discouraged, and we’re desperate for answers or direction. If anyone here has experienced something similar or has suggestions on what to explore next, I’d be incredibly grateful to hear from you.

Thank you so much for reading.

Hi @christysjohnson - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and your husband have been through a lot of challenges with the two different types of coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath and night sweats.

I just have the coughing issue sometimes from my asthma, and it also affects me more at night or when I'm in meetings where I talk quite a bit. The continuous cough where you can't stop till you take one of those benzonates is also familiar to me. The sudden tightening in your husband's throat that seems to briefly cut off his airway and triggers coughing seems concerning, as of course his ability to breathe is paramount. I've not been perfect and have had to do another course of prednisone lately, but in general, taking a biologic, mepolizumab (Nucala) has really helped tamp my coughing down.

You and your husband have done an admirable job of getting him to different doctors who might assess and help him. The upcoming testing and balloon sinuplasty sound wise.

Feeling pretty overwhelmed and discouraged, and desperate for answers or direction at this point is hard. Hoping members here such as @drsharon @orangetiger @hopeful33250 @clachow @debbells18 will have some insights for you from their own experiences and some thoughts on how to get some relief and help for you and your husband. I'd also like you to meet @sueinmn.

How is your husband's sleep with experiencing these symptoms? How about your sleep?

Hi @christysjohnson, it sounds like you are going through a lot and the doctors are working through the possibilities. It’s really tough not understanding what is going on. I clearly have no answers but it wouldn’t hurt to eliminate the chemicals in your home while all this is being tested- things like perfumes, scented creams and cleaning products. You can scroll through and see a list of things that some of us react to. You’re not alone and good luck

Sorry you are going through this, but good that you are looking into how best to help your loved one. With all of the testing, please also see a cardiologist for a heart checkup as well. Sometimes cardiac issues seem like respiratory issues. Under the guidance of a pulmonary and cardio md, you should hopefully come up with a plan. Please remember that asthma is an exaggerated response in the lungs to some form of allergen. It is a reversible disease. Things to consider - stop smoking (if you smoke, and this includes vaping), proper weight, using "free and clear" items without dyes and perfumes, and possibly consider an antihistamine. Sometimes it is a chronic post-nasal drip (see ENT). It can be difficult trying to find the cause and best possible treatment. If medically allowed, drink some extra water to help thin secretions. Good luck.