Reflux cough

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I visited the site. That means I've been relatively healthy I suppose. In any case, I wondered if anyone else with long-term reflux suffers from the dreaded reflux hack cough?

I had the Nissen Fundo surgery actually 5 years ago this month. I am glad I did it, but of course there are a couple side effects; bloated belly, enough gas to rocket to the moon, and I still have bad gastritis. I just had a scope and he said that the Barrett's Esophagus is looking pretty good, took a biopsy, and a biopsy of my stomach lining and found no cancerous cells. I go back again next year. It was 4 years since my last scope. He wanted them every 3 years, but I think he is now going to do them annually due to my gastritis.

My question to anyone who may have the chronic cough, what do you use to help it? I've tried essential oils at home, and they help a bit. Is there any other breathing treatments or supplements that help?

I just purchased Slippery Elm, Fennel tea, and they help a bit. I just purchased natural Pepzid GI to see if that helps my gastritis. He told me I should have been taking prescription Pepcid nightly since surgery. Would have been nice to tell me that 5 years ago. He gave me a prescript for it, but boy does it cause stomach issues the next day. So I will try the natural stuff and see if it is better.

I turn to natural stuff, but my issue is, how much should you combine, and when to take things. I chew a DGL Licorice tab about 20 minutes before a meal. I can never tell if they really help. I buy the caramel flavored ones because they do not taste bad at all.

I really want a pulmonary doctor to look at my lungs. I have a friend that suffered lung damage after years of reflux. I just don't have great insurance right now. Recently lost my job.

Sorry, I digress. If anyone does anything, or has ideas as to what to do about the chronic hack, I would appreciate it. I am exercising again, and it is really bad when I do that. Annoying to those around me!!!! Hmmm, maybe that's why I lost my job

"ShesOK" Sorry to hear you have the same struggles. I am currently even worse off since my original post. I got what they were pretty certain was bronchitis. As I usually do, I tried to treat it myself because it is usually viral, not an infection, so antibiotics typically don't work.

Well I caved a couple weeks ago; 1.) because I was exhausted from coughing basically non-stop for weeks, 2.) Because it was getting in my way from working out, and even house work was tough, and 3.) To save my marriage. I was driving my husband bonkers!!!!

So, took steroids, an antibiotic, and 2 puffs 4 times a day from an inhaler. Finished all of that up late last week, and still had a cough, especially when working out and with any exertion. So, I was prescribed another round of a stronger antibiotic, which is tearing up my stomach regardless of what I take to prevent it, and he put me on a daily powder inhaler, 2 puffs a day, on top of my regular inhaler. I am only slightly better.

I hate taking antibiotics, but I am trying to be a good patient! I am typically not.

I had a dry hack prior to this terrible bronchitis, which my doc said went into asthmatic bronchitis.

Having said all of this, I still feel that years of reflux have damaged my lungs, just don't know how to determine that. I have a friend that had the Nissen Fundo, and said she still has lung issues from aspirating reflux into her lungs for years. The Nissen Fundo was a saving grace, but I still have bad gastritis, which I am trying to find solutions for ; no drinking alcohol, coffee (which I find impossible to give up), spicy foods etc.

I understand your frustration. I think I may end up going to a lung Pulmonary doc, but currently do not have the extra money for the co-pay portion, which if very high! I am just not sure where to go either. Sounds like you went through all those that can help you.

I do drink licorice tea and it helps a bit, with raw honey. I also drink fennel tea with raw honey for my gastritis, and I take prescription Pepcid when I remember to.

I am at a loss