
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Lightheadedness Despite Taking Z-Pack

Question: Have had a cough for over a month-Dr. said respiratory infection -Z pack and Z pack and steroids - but this deep hacking cough continues- basically unproductuve unless it is coughing so hard that whitish sputum comes up or I vomit. Not effective when I lay down. Often cuts off speech when I take quick intake of breath
and I cough till I am light headed and feel I will vomit. My doctor keeps saying it'll pass. I have HBP and sleep apnea. Use an emergency inhaler but it is basically ineffective on this.
and I cough till I am light headed and feel I will vomit. My doctor keeps saying it'll pass. I have HBP and sleep apnea. Use an emergency inhaler but it is basically ineffective on this.
Brief Answer:
Better to get done chest X-ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have dry cough which is not controlled by antibiotic (Z pack). So we need to rule out lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and bronchitis first.
So get done chest X-ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). Chest X-ray is needed for LRTI and PFT is needed for bronchitis.
If these are normal then, another possibility is worsening of underlying sleep apnea.
You may need repeat sleep study with titration. Consult your doctor and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Pulmonologist
Better to get done chest X-ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have dry cough which is not controlled by antibiotic (Z pack). So we need to rule out lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and bronchitis first.
So get done chest X-ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). Chest X-ray is needed for LRTI and PFT is needed for bronchitis.
If these are normal then, another possibility is worsening of underlying sleep apnea.
You may need repeat sleep study with titration. Consult your doctor and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng

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