The Cough That Doesn't Go Away

[Tom 1960]

I'm not certain if anyone here has any insites, but I've been plagued with this nagging cough for the past 8 weeks. During this time I have visited the doctor 3 times. The first time he gave me an inhaler containing Spiriva. The results were minimal at best. On my second visit a month or so later, I was given a strong cough medicine containing codeine. This was during the time I had also contracted Swine Flu which made the cough much, much worse. After taking the cough medicine for a period of time, the cough was less aggressive, but still hanging in there. I noticed I would cough a good deal when I first awoke in the morning. Less so as the day progressed. Well as I said, I've had this darn thing for 8 weeks now which prompted visit #3 on Wednesday. This time I was prescibed another inhaler, but containing Symbicort. I also was sent to get a chest X-ray. Ok, this is where the concern mounts. I was told initially I would have the results by Friday afternoon. Instead, my doctor called me on Thursday morning and told me I would need to go for a Cat Scan most likely next week once the insurance issues were irorned out. While he felt there was no reason for concern, he said that a shadow appeared on the x-ray and one of my aorta's was enlargened. For much of my adult life, fitness has always taken a high priority for me. I workout 4 days a week with the weights and ride my bike 2 days a week. I take supplements and eat pretty well for the most part. I'm in pretty good shape for age 49, thank you. This shit has kind of thrown me for a loop. I'm trying to stay cool, but I can't help wondering what the heck is going on. Any advice or thoughts would be most appreciated.

I should also add I've had a history of bronchitis, but not since my teen years.

[Spontooneous]

Maybe an allergy?

Y'know what makes me cough? That darned hand sanitizer stuff that everybody is using. Seriously. Every time. I'm allergic as heck to the active ingredient.

[papsrus]

It definitely sounds like there's something going on, obviously. The good news is you will soon have a clear idea of what it is. And once you do, you'll likely be presented with a series of treatment options -- again, a good thing.

You likely will be sent to see a specialist once your scan results come in -- a pulmonologist maybe. My advice: tell the doctors not to sugar-coat anything. My own recent medical problems have shown me that doctors tend to want to be very encouraging and positive about treatments. They'll give you facts and figures about successful outcomes, etc. But this leads to kind of a downplaying of the negative side effects of certain treatments. Everyone wants to be positive, not negative. But it's important for you to get as much information about the negatives as well as the positives for any treatments that are presented to you.

You'll feel a great burden lifted once you know what's going on and what can be done about it though. And an even greater sense of relief once you decide on a treatment, if one is needed. Keep us posted and best wishes.

[7/4]

You just don't know for sure until you get test results.

.

[paul secor]

Hope the tests come out ok, Tom. The fact that you've taken care of yourself physically should bode well.

[ejp626]

I feel for you. I tend to have a similar situation where I get a nagging cough at the beginning of fall, and I just kind of live with it (to the annoyance of my wife). Generally, it is some kind of post-nasal drip thing getting into my lungs. In the past, I had a doctor prescribe some inhaler but the side-effects of the steroid that was its main ingredient made me decide to not take it and just spend longer in the shower, trying to bring everything up the hard way.

This season things did seem to take a turn for the worse, particularly after a long flight back from Sacramento. I went to the clinic yesterday, and the practitioner said he was sure I had walking pneumonia on top of very restricted airways, so he gave me some anti-biotics. He said I was just going into a downward spiral and I would not have been able to shake it on my own. Anyway, I do feel a bit better already. You might have something similar. They should have some answers soon.

[Noj]

I get a seasonal cough with loads of congestion just about every year around this time, and I've just gotten over it. I've found the best way to make it go away faster is to cough up the phlegm as gently as possible but as often as I can make it exit (gross, I know).

[BruceH]

I hope they find out exactly what's wrong and cure it right away Tom. Longstanding coughs are torture.

Best wishes!!

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

hope you feel better, we'll make you listen to Enya cds ALL DAY if we have to...........

[Clunky]

Whilst a CT or MRI does sound indicated it would be worth checking to see if pertussis serology has been performed. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a common cause of very prolonged cough ( up to 12-14 weeks). It can occur even if you've been immunised or indeed had the illness as a child already. The down side is that serology is slightly unreliable with false negatives occurring. Basic biochemistry and haematological bloods would also be recommended. Cause of your cough does not sound sinister but clearly needs to be checked out given how long its been going on. These things can be a real drag but you will get better.

[GA Russell]

Best wishes, Tom!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Yes - best wishes to you for good treatment and a good recovery.

MG

[BillF]

All I can add, Tom, is a reminder to keep up the musical therapy - but then, I don't think you need a reminder!

[sidewinder]

Sounds similar to a cough that I've had for the past couple of weeks and that has been a pig to shift and resulted in an accumulation of 'gunk'. It's at it's worst at night and has on a couple of occasions woken me up due to breathing difficulties. Almost certainly picked up from a woman working behind me who seems to be a germ magnet for everything going and was talking the other day about her kids picking up chicken pox .

Great !

Hope it sorts out soon..

Edited November 14, 2009 by sidewinder

[Tom 1960]

Thanks guys for the positive thoughts and good words. When I spoke to the doctor on Wednesday, he recommended me seeking out a pulmonologist in say 2 - 3 weeks if things don't improve. On the positive side, I don't have pneumonia which is one less thing to worry about. The doctor believes I have some sort of inflamation which is why he recommended the inhaler. Weird, this all started out from a cold which quickly developed into the cough 2 months back. It kind of sucks I have to work today. I work as a postal letter carrier and the forecast is calling for rain for most of the day. I'll make damn sure that I keep as dry as possible. I just can't afford this thing getting any worse. I guess the main thing is at this point, I have to keep myself from stressing over this. Thanks for letting me sound off guys.

[jazzbo]

Tom, I think your general attention to health and your habits will really help you once a cause is isolated and a plan offered.

Hang in there and be as positive as you can be.

[AllenLowe]

Tom, hope you get better - I had what was probably a mild case of the Oink Oink flu and though I've been flu-free for about 8 days the cough persists. I'm living on mucinex and Robitussin; at least I've been sleeping ok. Took codeine for a few nights but it definitely left me feeling a little hungover.

but the cough part of this sucks, especially when my asthma kicks in; I'm feeling better but hoping this thing eases up.

[AndrewHill]

Get better Tom, I hope it's nothing terribly serious. Usually every fall, I get a cold and even after the main symptoms subside, I have a nagging cough that usually takes up to two months to shake. Once that pasts, I'm good, until I get sick again.

[Tim McG]

I get this dry, hacking cough every Fall and then again in the Spring.

It is mostly allergy driven, but the poor air quality is also a factor.

[bluesbro]

I'm not certain if anyone here has any insites, but I've been plagued with this nagging cough for the past 8 weeks. During this time I have visited the doctor 3 times. The first time he gave me an inhaler containing Spiriva. The results were minimal at best. On my second visit a month or so later, I was given a strong cough medicine containing codeine. This was during the time I had also contracted Swine Flu which made the cough much, much worse. After taking the cough medicine for a period of time, the cough was less aggressive, but still hanging in there. I noticed I would cough a good deal when I first awoke in the morning. Less so as the day progressed. Well as I said, I've had this darn thing for 8 weeks now which prompted visit #3 on Wednesday. This time I was prescibed another inhaler, but containing Symbicort. I also was sent to get a chest X-ray. Ok, this is where the concern mounts. I was told initially I would have the results by Friday afternoon. Instead, my doctor called me on Thursday morning and told me I would need to go for a Cat Scan most likely next week once the insurance issues were irorned out. While he felt there was no reason for concern, he said that a shadow appeared on the x-ray and one of my aorta's was enlargened. For much of my adult life, fitness has always taken a high priority for me. I workout 4 days a week with the weights and ride my bike 2 days a week. I take supplements and eat pretty well for the most part. I'm in pretty good shape for age 49, thank you. This shit has kind of thrown me for a loop. I'm trying to stay cool, but I can't help wondering what the heck is going on. Any advice or thoughts would be most appreciated.

I should also add I've had a history of bronchitis, but not since my teen years.

Any updates? One of my nephews has a very similar problem.

[AllenLowe]

yes, I'm wondering too. My cough has finally dissipated; took only three weeks -

[Tom 1960]

I have an appointment set for tomorrow afternoon. Thursday is my scheduled day off from work this week but they couldn't work me in. I know work is going to be really thrilled I have to leave early tommorow with such little notice. I guess they'll have to just get over it.

[sidewinder]

I have an appointment set for tomorrow afternoon. Thursday is my scheduled day off from work this week but they couldn't work me in. I know work is going to be really thrilled I have to leave early tommorow with such little notice. I guess they'll have to just get over it.

Heck, I wouldn't even think about them - health comes first. Good luck !

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I have an appointment set for tomorrow afternoon. Thursday is my scheduled day off from work this week but they couldn't work me in. I know work is going to be really thrilled I have to leave early tommorow with such little notice. I guess they'll have to just get over it.

Heck, I wouldn't even think about them - health comes first. Good luck !

Quite right - but the US isn't quite like Britain in terms of workers' rights.

MG

[Brad]

Hang in there Tom. Good move in going to a pulmonary expert, who can determine what it is and is not.