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Is anyone else dealing with a neurogenic cough?

Posted by camayeron @camayeron, 4 days ago

I have been a patient at Mayo for about two years. After meeting with a pulmonologist , allergist, gastroenterologist, and ENT specialists; and trying a variety of treatments, I am still coughing. I have had three laryngeal blocks. It helps somewhat, but I’m still coughing. The diagnosis is “neurogenic” cough. It’s not a simple cough. It’s a body wracking, continuous, harsh cough that can take away my ability to speak or have any volume to my voice. It severely limits my ability to socialize; the cough is irritating to other people and makes others very uncomfortable. They can even get angry listening to it, although I usually don’t have any control over it. Ricola cough drops with honey and herbs help. I I know this is a rare problem, but I would love to know if there are others out there and how they are faring.

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onmayo | @onmayo | 3 days ago

My situation is extraordinarily similar to yours. I have been dealing with a chronic cough for 25 years, despite being treated by pulmonologists, allergists, gastroenterologists, and ENTs. I think I have had every test, prescription, and treatment imaginable, including behavioral cough suppression therapy. Yet I am still suffering with a chronic cough. I would love to know if anyone has found any relief.

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mexikaren | @mexikaren | 3 days ago

I went through similar exhaustive testing in Denver at National Jewish. There have been other threads here on this issue. I also tried laryngeal blocks that were not helpful. Currently I take 35 mg amitriptyline at night. It usually works for 2-3 months, then I switch to tramadol twice daily when the amitriptyline stops working. Switching back and forth with these meds seems to work pretty well for me. It keeps me about 80% cough free. I recommend you work with your ENT to try different solutions. My ENT calls us his chronic coughers. You are definitely not alone in this!

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catsmom5 | @catsmom5 | 3 days ago

This sounds like exactly like what I have been dealing with for several years. I’ve also seen multiple ENT’s, allergists, and pulmonologists. I’ve had sinus surgery with zero results. Doctors in my area will not prescribe Tramadol, they think it’s addictive. Nothing has helped and I’ve given up
I joined this Mayo Clinic group in hopes of finding some sort of relief

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camayeron | @camayeron | 3 days ago

It is so nice to hear from somebody else out there! I took trazadone last night (which is a sleeping pill/antidepressant) and that helped calm me down so I could sleep. (I wanted to go the hospital because I was coughing nonstop!! Yesterday.). I don’t know what they could have done but I wanted someone to put me out of my misery!!!

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camayeron | @camayeron | 3 days ago

The laryngeal block helped twice, but has not worked this time. Most other people think, “Oh, she has a cough.” But it’s NOT JUST a cough. It causes back pain and major headaches. It can feel like I am breaking blood vessels in my head. Sometimes I can’t inhale a good breath and think I’m going to pass out from lack of oxygen. And I can’t talk or socialize because talking can easily lead into a coughing frenzy. So without family, it can be a very lonely existence.

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