Another update... Well, I'm really starting to get frustrated now! My allergy tests came back from the dr visit I had last week, and I'm not allergic to anything (including the cat) or having an allergic reaction to anything. Of course, normally this would be great news...but that means all the easy stuff has been eliminated. All my lab results are back from my physical, and everything was fine there, thyroid included. So this means that all the nasty (and expensive) tests are next. Some things she mentioned when I was there last week included more xrays (the ones I took her were hard to read she said), a cat scan, an ENT dr which would do his own tests, including a scope down my throat, which sounds like loads of fun, and other stuff that I don't remember. So all we know now is I don't have an URI, asthma or allergies. Anyone else have any other suggestions? I have not tried the cough meds (the pearls) because I was thinking about it, and I don't want to cover up my cough, because I want to know if it's getting better or worse, so I'm still coughing, same as before. You can hear me coming a mile away, and it's really annoying! (This has been almost 3 months now)
Maybe you got some cat hair caught in your throat that can't be seen. Hope they get to the bottom of this.
Hugh - that's great, glad you're better! Robbie - funny! My friend (the nurse) and I were joking this morning that maybe I have a furball back there. Seriously, she was asking if maybe I'm doing it more out of habit now, but I know I'm not. I can feel it, like way up high in my chest, something's there that makes me feel the need to cough. I don't know what it is, it's like a tickle in my throat, but down farther. And when I dough, it's only one cough at a time, it's not like a choking, gagging cough that goes on for minutes at a time. It's just one dry, hacking, obnoxious cough that won't go away! SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! I'm starting to get a little worried now, and I can't get ahold of the pulmonologist today (figures)
I went through all the tests you describe for a cough a couple of years ago. I could not talk on the phone or to anyone without a hacking cough. Finally diagnosed as acid reflux. I did not have heartburn or indigestion, just a hacking cough. I did not cough once I went to bed at night. They prescribed Protonix - 40 MG. Cough went away.
reflux is actually the first thing they thought it could be, and put me on prevacid, and an inhaler, both for 2 weeks. didn't do a darned thing...how long after you started your meds did it go away?
WOW! Well everyone, I am feeling much better today! I went to the ENT yesterday, and you're not going to believe what's been causing my cough! Post-nasal drip! That's it! 3 months of aggravation, and that's it! The dr there was great, actually I saw 2 dr's there, and they were both great! They put a scope down my nose (that was NOT great, but glad it was done) and took a video of my vocal chords, a whole lot of mucus down there. There's been a little damage done to my vocal chords because of all the coughing, so I've gotta get some therapy done, but not a big deal. So I'm on meds now, and after only one night of being on them, I feel sooo much better! My nose is running like crazy, but I don't care!! I'm so happy, and I'm hardly coughing at all! I"m so happy I feel like dancing!! :hurray::hurray::hurray:
DMJ, I'm very glad you got to the bottom of it!! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Hmmm.............thinking I should have been an ENT...........I "diagnosed" you on post 45, LOL. :jester: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hey, I should get paid also, I diagnosed you with the saliva problem dripping back into the throat. So glad it was nothing else. Hey but with all the different tests run, at least you know you are healthy. Amen.
:iagree: Yes, exactly! And thank you everyone for your help and well wishes! I'm glad it wasn't anything serious, but kind of embarrassed that's all it was. Although it seems like some of the other meds would have helped this a while ago...Anyway, I'm only coughing about 5x/hour today, instead of about 5x/minute (or more), so it's a great relief on my body!! I'm feeling very tired today, not sure why, unless my body is just exhausted from what it's been through. But I am SOOOO happy to be feeling better, I can't even tell you how relieved I am!! This ENT was great, I'd recommend them to anyone!
Hey Kdc, I've got .... :lol::lol: Just messin' I'm still *self medicatin'* at home ~ it's WAY fun! :cheers:
What did they give you for the post nasal drip? I have been to the Dr. twice. Been through 2 cycles of antibiotics and am still coughing too. I think that I have the same thing going on as you. Maybe I can call the Dr. and ask for whatever you are using. I too, am sick of coughing.
I'm doing a nasal rinse, which you can buy otc anywhere, and flonase, which is a prescription. Both are once a day. It's amazing, I am feeling so much better, my cough is close to being gone already after only 2 days! Yesterday my nose was running like crazy, which guess it's supposed to, to get rid of the mucus. I guess it wouldn't hurt if you wanted to try the otc nasal rinse...I've gotta warn you though, it's nasty to do!! I used to always pick on my hubby for doing it, and now here I am doing it every night!!
