Chronic Cough nearly 20 years please help

Thank you for reading...My Mom has had a chronic cough for nearly 20 years. Sometimes dry, but usually not. She has also recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's...not sure if the 2 are related. She has tried EVERYTHING and seen numerous specialists from the lung institute in CO to Mayo Clinic in MN and AZ. The only thing that helped was an anti depressant which slowed the cough down for a short period of time. Righ before the Parkinson's hit last year the cough disappeared but quickly came back when the Parkinson's medicine began. We've tried Mucinex, prescriptions, steroids, Mullein Leaf, everything imaginable and the cough is still there...daytime, nighttime...Thyroid, chest xrays etc show nothing...any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much...

I also agree with it might be reflux. Nexium helps mine, and a head elevated bed. But I would also wonder about hystoplasmosis.

I am sure I misspelled it but it is a fungal infection, so if she was treated with antibodics then it would not help it.

I would also say that if she was not fully examined EGD and not using the most recent heartburn meds...it still might be something to look into.

I am just a big believer that even if it wasn't found the first time does not mean it cannot manifest later.  So unless she has had an EGD within the last 2 months, I would wonder...

Histoplasmosis can effect the eye, but I was actually refering to what is commonly called splunkers lung, but one happens to be around construction sites, farming, gardening, etc.

http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-126212/Histoplasmosis?q=histoplasmosis&qpvt=hystoplasmosis

As you can see it can be chronic...

Interesting, ill look into that...thank you

Is she on high blood pressure medication? Lotensen can cause coughing......

I've heard that COUMADIN, can really make a person cough. This is a blood thinner. Anyhow, just a thought. Also, has she tried gargling with a warm vinegar solution. It is something my Mother recommeneded years ago for a sore throat and also seems that it would help with a cough or dry throat. Anyhow, it is worth a try. Vinegar is used for so many things and the sore throat remedy my Mother suggested has been passed down and is a blessing when you have a sore throat. The warm vinegar is not great tasting, but you could add some honey for sweetening. It is worth a try...Prayer is another GREAT cure. Used it many times. IT WORKS....:)

I agree with a couple of others that silent reflux may be an issue. One can have reflux with no symptoms, or with just a cough. One doesn't have to have traditional acid reflux symptoms for reflux to be an issue. Google "LPR" for more information. This is a good web site to learn more: http://www.jamiekoufman.com/2010/01/08/silent-reflux-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr-is-ubiquitous/.

Also, look into "post viral vagal neuropathy." If this is what she has, a simple, inexpensive, pain killer called tramadol, can almost immediately stop this cough. I had a chronic cough related to acid reflux (LPR) and post viral vagal neuropathy, and within just a few days of taking tramadol, my cough was gone. Ask your mother's doctor if this could be the case. They can test her for it, or give her the tramadol (if not contraindicated) to see if it helps.

Good luck!

Post Edited (BaileyJane) : 1/14/2011 5:05:42 PM (GMT-7)

 You all have postd about junk in the throat mucousy cough I have been suffering with for quite awhile!  I too have Gerds IBS, Hiatal hernia but am on Nexium and haven't had a problem with reflux in 2yrs except for this mucousy phlegmy intermittent cough 4 to 6 times daily and at waking up!

I sleep with 3 pillows to elevate. I was sure this was a chronic postnasal drip but when the ENT said throat and nose looked fine I was stymied! He also said it was the GERDS.  I think he doesn't know what he is talking about?! My nose is always crummy and I can feel it backdripping into my throat all the time.  After reading your posts I am wondering if its possible?? It's very irritating but not painful.  Sometimes you feel like you can't cough it up.  I think it has alot to do with my allergies...

I too have nodule and cyst on thyroid.  They are too small to needle biopsy.  Now the right side is enlarged and the last ultrasound showed nodules have gotten larger but still under sized for biopsy.  I thoat this could be causing the cough and irritation in the throat causing the mucous???

Questions,questions no answers. HELP

                         Thanks,   Dancinheart

I coughed for three years constantly. I felt I could never clear my throat. Sinuses were draining, too. Mine was Gerd related.
Come talk in the gerd forum for more on this.

Just to throw this out there my daughter coughed terribly she is 30 years old and had coughed like crazy for awhile. Come to find out it was her BP meds causing her to cough...
Hope it gets better for ya. SHe got her meds changed and she cough's no more.

I had a terrible cough for a few years. Then it turned into pain in my stomach. The awful burning kind. Heartburn. The doctors drove me crazy - finally they decided I had GERD. Just to let you know, gastro problems are symptoms of thyroid issues. (I have Hashimotos) I did two things, one I stopped eating gluten. Two: I added T3 to my dose of T4. No more coughing, no more pain in the stomach. I would recommend that you try to stop eating gluten as a first line of attack.