Tuesday, August 04, 2009 Outlaw53 asks

Q: Can anyone provide assistance with an "allergic cough"?

I've experienced a consistent cough since November of 2007. I've seen 16 different doctors ( 5 GPs, 3 pulmonary Drs, 2 alllergists, an internal medicine specialist, an accupuncturist, 2 ENTs, an a gastrointerologist...and even a medical hypnotist ). Even after all that, I still have a reactionary cough ( irritated throat which generates a cough w/ occasional clear flem ).

I've been on eleven different cough medicines ( even Tussionex, a class 5 narcotic ) with no relief at all. Every dr. I've seen has told me that they can't diagnose this cough. I've been in the hospital four times ( chest probe, sinus probe, digestive study, and colonostomy ) by trusting in the "system"...but each time to no avail ( except for the charges to my insurance ).

To say the least I'm desperate. Due to the irritated throat and flem secreted, I feel this may be an allergic cough of some sort...although my two alllergists disagree. I am getting weekly allergy injections in hopes of improving, but so far no luck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answers (2)

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Kaley

9/ 5/09 11:02pm

I, too, have a chronic cough that produces phlegm at times. I have had this for 18 years and been to all of the docs you've mentioned except the hypnotist (but I've thought about going there as well). Just this week I saw a new ENT and he thinks this is due to a food allergy. He suggested an 'Elimination Diet.' Google Elimination Diet for more info. Also, I've been reading The Yeast Connection and you may find some helpful info in it as well. Hope this helps. I wonder, do you have other triggers that make you cough like sensitive to perfume or heat?

Virginia

3/10/11 1:10pm

I too was diagnosed with a reactionary cough. Whenever I would get a cold or sinus infection, my coughing would last for almost a year, every single time. This started after I had sinus surgery almost six years ago. I too went to many doctors to find the solution. Nothing seemed to work until my last doctor's visit with my Allergist/Asthma doc. I had perfect lung functions, just a dry hacking cough. My doc said that this type of cough is the most difficult to diagnose and treat. He said that it wasn't a smoking,

allergy or asthma cough, but that my body "forgot" how to shut off the trigger for coughing. He called it a reactionary cough.

The doc perscibed the drug Amitriptyline. This drug is normally used for people who have chronic pain, or depression when used at 100mg. He said that for some reason when you take this drug at a much lower dose (10mg) for one month, that it's been known to shut off the cough. My doc also thought that I still had a low grade infection, so he also perscribed an antibiotic(Amox-clav 875 mg) and Prednisone (20mg). I've now been taking these for about two weeks, and I can say that my cough is almost gone. The doc said if my cough goes away before one month, to still continue to take this drug for the entire month.

I feel that this doc was brilliant, and me and my husband can finally get some sleep.

Q: Can anyone provide assistance with an "allergic cough"?

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