horrible cough

Hi All,

I have a question of any of you. I have had a TERRIBLE cough since March after a URI especially at night when I'm trying to sleep. Had a chest x-ray in April and everything was clear and clean. Last week I had a breathing test ( for asthma) and I scored a 106% (Not bad for my age 54 and being an ex smoker). My MD said he truly thinks it's GERD ( I do have hyatal hernia). So on Aciphex and Ritanidine (generic for zantac I believe) It will be one week tomorrow and I'm still coughing at night and haven't slept a full night in a long time without coughing and gaging. I'd appreciate any feed back from anyone if you've experienced similar symptoms or have any ideas.

Thanks to all who answer

 

I was diagnosed with GERD 2 months ago. One of my symptons was a terrible cough. I was put on Pantoloc (Protonix) for 2 months, and was recently put on Nexium. The cough had subsided (but not totally disappeared) with the Pantaloc, but since I have started the Nexium (about 4 days ago) the cough has been more harsh. I guess my GERD has to get use to the new medication.

The cough is always worse while you sleep because you are lying down making the acid in your stomach easier to get to your throat and that causes the cough. Also at night you are not swallowing you saliva at the same frequency than than during the day giving the acid an easier time to get to your throat. Try sleeping on your left side at an elevated incline, let gravity be your friend.

Good Luck

Bobcat

Dragonfly,

I was diagnosed with LPR in March. I didn't have much of a cough with it, but two weeks ago, I came down with the URI bug that's been going around. Now the cough just won't let up. Maybe the LPR exacerbates it?

Anyhow, it was my ENT doc who diagnosed me. A week earlier, my GI doc, after a clean GI scope (which skips past the larynx), had said I had no problems at all and shouldn't have to take GERD meds. Go figure!

percycat