Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough And Allergy
Question: Hi,
I have been seen by my family physician and an ENT. They originally thought a chronic cough was allergy related but have more recently suggested LPR as a potential cause. I would like another opinion. I will give a brief outline of symptoms.
Close to a year ago I had earaches that would come and go. Six months ago, I developed a cough that produced a fair bit of mucus. When I coughed, I had a pain in my head around two inches above my right eye. I have had three x rays of my lungs all showing normal results. I have been given three rounds of antibiotics.
More recently I have developed very thick dark mucus in my throat in the morning and coughing throughout the day but not during sleep. When the cough is at its worst I have fairly severe upper back pain (not just when coughing). In addition, I seem to have subclavian pain particularly on the right side. I have also had nausea at points. I have also experienced some TMJ pain which is a novel experience for me. My throat was red upon examination.
Recently, my doctor prescribed 20mg of omeprazole which I took for almost two weeks and symptoms didn't resolve. I have also cut out all caffeine, alcohol, citrus, spicy etc. I have also raised my bed. She also gave me another antibiotic that I started around two weeks after the omeprazole. The cough seemed to resolve somewhat. I finished that antibiotic on Friday. Last night in bed I had a strange sensation in my lungs an ache that lasted on a minute or so. Hard to explain the feeling it just felt strange. Sure enough this morning the thick mucus was back. I am unsure whether it was the antibiotic or the omeprazole that made the difference and that stopping either has caused the recurrence.
I am trying to sort our whether this is an infection or reflux related? I am a very fit individual. I play hockey twice a week and go to the gym three days a week. I compete in triathlons in the summer.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
XXXX
I have been seen by my family physician and an ENT. They originally thought a chronic cough was allergy related but have more recently suggested LPR as a potential cause. I would like another opinion. I will give a brief outline of symptoms.
Close to a year ago I had earaches that would come and go. Six months ago, I developed a cough that produced a fair bit of mucus. When I coughed, I had a pain in my head around two inches above my right eye. I have had three x rays of my lungs all showing normal results. I have been given three rounds of antibiotics.
More recently I have developed very thick dark mucus in my throat in the morning and coughing throughout the day but not during sleep. When the cough is at its worst I have fairly severe upper back pain (not just when coughing). In addition, I seem to have subclavian pain particularly on the right side. I have also had nausea at points. I have also experienced some TMJ pain which is a novel experience for me. My throat was red upon examination.
Recently, my doctor prescribed 20mg of omeprazole which I took for almost two weeks and symptoms didn't resolve. I have also cut out all caffeine, alcohol, citrus, spicy etc. I have also raised my bed. She also gave me another antibiotic that I started around two weeks after the omeprazole. The cough seemed to resolve somewhat. I finished that antibiotic on Friday. Last night in bed I had a strange sensation in my lungs an ache that lasted on a minute or so. Hard to explain the feeling it just felt strange. Sure enough this morning the thick mucus was back. I am unsure whether it was the antibiotic or the omeprazole that made the difference and that stopping either has caused the recurrence.
I am trying to sort our whether this is an infection or reflux related? I am a very fit individual. I play hockey twice a week and go to the gym three days a week. I compete in triathlons in the summer.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Steam inhlalation and gurgling with lukewarm water should help.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. To me it seems that you have an infection which could be either viral or bacterial. It is likely to have affected your sinuses and this sinusitis is the likely cause of your pain just above the eyes. The sore throat is also likely to be related. Antibiotics are often not quite effective in such a scenario.
I would suggest you to gurgle with lukewarm water. You may add Disprin dispersible tablet to it if you like. The other thing that you need to do is to take steam inhalation. The water vapour will reach the sinuses and help in diluting the mucus. You also need to take Montair LC tablet (monteleukast + levocetirizine) once daily for a few days.
The condition may have been complicated by hyperacidity or reflux disease but it need not be the case. If you have not been relieved by omeprazole, its chances are lower.
Hope that helps.
In case you found my answer useful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Steam inhlalation and gurgling with lukewarm water should help.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. To me it seems that you have an infection which could be either viral or bacterial. It is likely to have affected your sinuses and this sinusitis is the likely cause of your pain just above the eyes. The sore throat is also likely to be related. Antibiotics are often not quite effective in such a scenario.
I would suggest you to gurgle with lukewarm water. You may add Disprin dispersible tablet to it if you like. The other thing that you need to do is to take steam inhalation. The water vapour will reach the sinuses and help in diluting the mucus. You also need to take Montair LC tablet (monteleukast + levocetirizine) once daily for a few days.
The condition may have been complicated by hyperacidity or reflux disease but it need not be the case. If you have not been relieved by omeprazole, its chances are lower.
Hope that helps.
In case you found my answer useful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your advice.
Would a bacterial or viral infection have lasted for 6 months to a year?
Is the Montar tablet you suggested a prescription drug or can I buy this over the counter? Also, I haven't heard of Disprin before. Is this an OTC medication?
Is there anything you suggest as an immune booster?
Thank you again for your input.
One other question:
I have recently had stringy mucus in my mouth. Could this be thrush? I have been on three courses of antibiotics as well as taking flovent - a bronchodilator and omnaris - a nasal corticosteroid.
Could thrush be aggravating my throat and esophagus?
Thanks again.
Cheers,
I forgot to add that I have had two yeast infections on my penis in the last two months
Thank you for your advice.
Would a bacterial or viral infection have lasted for 6 months to a year?
Is the Montar tablet you suggested a prescription drug or can I buy this over the counter? Also, I haven't heard of Disprin before. Is this an OTC medication?
Is there anything you suggest as an immune booster?
Thank you again for your input.
One other question:
I have recently had stringy mucus in my mouth. Could this be thrush? I have been on three courses of antibiotics as well as taking flovent - a bronchodilator and omnaris - a nasal corticosteroid.
Could thrush be aggravating my throat and esophagus?
Thanks again.
Cheers,
I forgot to add that I have had two yeast infections on my penis in the last two months
Brief Answer:
Over the counter alternatives available.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Sorry for not being able to write back earlier. Let me try to answer your queries one by one:
* Disprin is a brand of Aspirin Soluble Tablet. It can help in reducing pain over the area. It is available over-the-counter (OTC).
* Montair LC tablet (monteleukast + levocetirizine) is a prescription medication and you need to get it prescribed by your doctor. Pseudoephedrine is an OTC alternative to the same.
* A healthy diet and lifestyle is what you need. Avoid cold if possible. I would not suggest any immune boosters.
* The stingy mucus is not thrush. Steam inhalation will help in relieving it.
* You could be having thrush (separate) and it could be aggravating the condition.
* You should get yourself checked by a doctor about the yeast infections over your penis.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Over the counter alternatives available.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Sorry for not being able to write back earlier. Let me try to answer your queries one by one:
* Disprin is a brand of Aspirin Soluble Tablet. It can help in reducing pain over the area. It is available over-the-counter (OTC).
* Montair LC tablet (monteleukast + levocetirizine) is a prescription medication and you need to get it prescribed by your doctor. Pseudoephedrine is an OTC alternative to the same.
* A healthy diet and lifestyle is what you need. Avoid cold if possible. I would not suggest any immune boosters.
* The stingy mucus is not thrush. Steam inhalation will help in relieving it.
* You could be having thrush (separate) and it could be aggravating the condition.
* You should get yourself checked by a doctor about the yeast infections over your penis.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your advice. I will follow your suggestions and hopefully symptoms will resolve.
What would the severe upper back muscle pain be from - the esophagus or lungs? The pain seems to only come in the evenings. The pain is located between my shoulder blades that comes and goes.
Cheers,
XXXX
What would the severe upper back muscle pain be from - the esophagus or lungs? The pain seems to only come in the evenings. The pain is located between my shoulder blades that comes and goes.
Cheers,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Most likely due to muscle spasms. Hot compress should help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It is very difficult for me to comment on this without examining you clinically. Muscle spasm is a more probable cause although acid reflux into your foodpipe cannot be ruled out. I do not think that it involves your lungs.
In case you found my answer useful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Most likely due to muscle spasms. Hot compress should help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It is very difficult for me to comment on this without examining you clinically. Muscle spasm is a more probable cause although acid reflux into your foodpipe cannot be ruled out. I do not think that it involves your lungs.
In case you found my answer useful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
