Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough
I have hypertension (Telmisartan hct), reflux (Rabeprazole 20 mg bid), and anxiety (duloxetine).
Otherwise I am a non-smoker, in good health, overweight by 40 lbs.
I had my flu shot this year, but have had the bad fortune of repeated respiratory viruses. At one point a sinus infection. I've had a chest X-ray (october-clear), a course of zithromax, a course of biaxin and finally advair 250 mcg bid for one month. I've been off of the advair for nearly two weeks. The predominant symptom throughout all of these infections has been a chronic cough, sometimes productive that keeps me up almost all night. It worsens when I lay down. Without any other symptoms, I am coughing again (for one day). It feels very bronchial, and is non-productive. I am not short of breath. But I have coughing fits that feel awful. What next steps would you take?
I should add also that although my chest X-ray was clear, my gp said that it didn't sound "entirely clear" at our last appointment in December. My allergies include, ragweed, cats, cockroaches and dust.
consult pulmonologist and get done PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
In my opinion you should first consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (pulmonary function test).
There are few possibilities in your case.
1. Cough variant asthma.
2. Bronchitis.
3. Obesity induced restrictive disease.
PFT is needed to rule out all these.
Since you have allergies, cough variant asthma can present at this age.
You are having recurrent sinusitis (upper respiratory tract infection) which can cause bronchitis (lower respiratory tract infection).
You are 40 lbs overweight, so rare possibility is obesity induced restriction in the lung.
PFT will rule out all these.
So I advice you to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT,discuss all these possibilities.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.