Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough And Wheezing

Posted on Thu, 11 May 2017

Question: I have had a chronic cough for about seven weeks, a dry, non-productive cough that has been keeping me awake at night. I have also been wheezing continuously at night and in the morning. I was finally put on a short burst of prednisone for four days, followed by a QVAR inhaler which does not seem to do anything, and now that I am through with the four days of prednisone, the cough is coming back. I have no history of asthma, but I do of allergies. Is there any reason that I could not take prednisone a little longer to knock out this cough, or am I stuck with just this useless inhaler.? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do some changes in the treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in HealthcareMagic.

I can undertand your concern

If you were my patient i would add and do some changes in your treatment as follows:

The coming back of cough might be from a superinfection and maybe an antibiotic should be used (like Azythromycin one for three days).

An antihistaminic medications taken before sleeping (like Xysal once) would help you during the night for a quiet sleeping.

I would stop the QVAR inhaler and substitute it with aerosol therapy (like Clenil compositum twice) for a week and after the situation will be improved return again to it .

The steroids orally should be continue for up to two weeks and a medications for the stomach (like Omeprazol once ) during this time .

So please discuss with your doctor for the above

I am sure you will be better again

Take care and feel free to ask me again

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (8 hours later)

I forgot to mention that this all started with Bronchitis and that I have done TWO courses of azizthromycin already, once about six weeks ago, once a week ago, to no noticeable effect. These were full six-day courses. Only the prednisone seems to have helped at all, though perhaps the second course of antibiotics did eventually take effect too, as the cough is not quite as bad as before.

Stop the QVAR and do Clinil Compositum instead? Can I do this at home? I would like to continue the prednisone, and I already take Omeprazole twice daily for Gerd. I also forgot to mention that I have had chest xrays taken twice and that they are totally clear. I do not think this is asthma, as I am 67 and have never had it before.

I already take ativan and low-dose seroquel for sleep (2 mg. and 50 mg.) I have been adding diphendrydramine for allergies and sleep.

My main question was about continuing the prednisone for more than four days, and you are saying okay to that, yes?

Thank you for your further help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Probably COPD

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Yes you should stop QVAR and use actually Clenil aerosol.After the aerosol you should go back to QVAR again (but it depends on the situation).

Yes you can do it at home but you need the aerosol device for it.

You should take prednisone up to two weeks.

Ok i agree with the treatment for sleeping and alergies.

In my opinion according to the history you provide it might be COPD but it would be better for you to have done Spirometry test before starting the treatment.

However you can do it after the treatment too.

Discuss about it with your doctor.

Take care

Dr.Jolanda

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj