Help! I keep coughing

I have cough-variant asthma. I'd never heard of it until I was diagnosed but it's not uncommon. It's kept under control by my asthma meds but it's generally triggered by allergies although I'm on meds for acid reflux too which also triggers it.
I'd definitely suggest going to the GP and getting a proper diagnosis as there are lots of possibilities. Honestly, none of them are particularly serious but a chronic cough is so annoying to live with. And they can probably do something to help you.

have you tried antacids? I know a bit odd but I had a persistant cough for ages and someone suggested this to me so I took Gaviscon for a few days and it cleared up. It could just be mild acid but enough to irritate your throat
Going to the doctors is good call too for a cough that's lasted that long

Are you in any heart medication? Only ask as I’ve had a hideous cough for 18months and it turns out it was due to a side effect of ramipril which I’ve been on for 4 years - changed the medication and the coughing has stopped- thank god!!

There is something called an over active cough reflex. I have a cough and often it’s the tickle that starts the cough that is the worse. I’m waiting for an appointment to see the cough clinic at my hospital.

I had similar and was diagnosed with silent reflux and dry throat.
Specialist advised me to cut coffee and tea to no more than 4 a day, up water intake to at least 1.5l a day and cut down food that would aggravate the reflux like onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc

Glad it was helpful! No need to put up with it that's definitely worthy of a routine follow up appointment with the GP. Shouldn't have to put up with a long term cough like that if you don't have to.

@SleepyRic
Thank you. That was really helpful! I haven’t had any tests/medication. I was just advised it was the probable cause. Have just been using Renee’s/Gaviscon, but your post does reinsure it’s most likely that. Tbh I’ve just been putting up with it. 🙂

Reflux/indigestion is a very common cause of a chronic dry cough. Often people will have worst cough in the morning, can retch with morning cough/gag brushing teeth/bad taste in mouth. Can be exacerbated by a stomach infection (hpylori) and a stool test is undertaken - although if you're medicated for you indigestion (with a ppi) this has to be paused for 2 weeks for the test to work.

I went to GP for same reason, I was asked if I suffer with indigestion (which I do). Have had a cough now for a couple of years at least! I haven’t been back.

I've not read your previous, but if you've had a cough for more then 2-3months (depending what you go by) it would class as chronic. But typically persisting for more than 3-4 weeks (with no other symptoms) would indicate an x-ray as part of a GP review (if there are certain other symptoms then xr can of course be much sooner!!).

Do you take rampril? I had to come off it as the coughing drove me insane. It was actually on here that I discovered it was a side effect as I hadn't bothered reading the leaflet.

The salt does wonders! Salt caves are really popular in Eastern Europe and there are some here. You just sit in a room which has salt blown into it!

Or make a solution of salty water. Put some in an egg cup. Pinch one nostril. Breathe out. Dunk other nostril in salty water and slowly breathe in until the water goes far enough for you to worry you might swallow it. Hold as long as possible. Breathe it out over the sink. New egg cup full of salty water. Repeat with the other nostril. Do this 4 times a day. This will kill bacteria and viruses in your nasal passages. Can also gargle with salty water. My mother in law was a nurse and taught me this. I didn't believe her, but it really works!

My DH has had a cough as long as I have known him, 50+ years. Been to the docs a few times, never a problem they can solve. If he eats certain things it aggravates it, nuts in particular. Trouble is he likes nuts so puts up with the coughing. It is annoying though.

I understand anxiety. But surely a trip to the GP is better than worrying over something? Make an appointment ASAP & don't let anxiety win. Good luck.

Go see the doctor it’s been ongoing for too long. I have an unproductive cough that meant I felt the need to cough every few seconds. Annoying. Doctor gave me a low low dose of codeine. Works a treat. One a day keeps the cough away

If it’s an unproductive cough the doctor can give you something to help. I get a low low dose of codeine tablet. Stops my cough completely. But go see the doc this has been ongoing for too long

My brother has had every investigation under the sun for his niggly cough. Nothing has showed up. I suspect it's stress related.

Hayfever started giving me a cough, try an antihistamine and see if that works

Make an appointment with the gp. If you’re lucky you may get seen this month.

Yes - get back to your GP as quickly as possible.

Govto a salt cave (there may be one near you) and see if that helps. I had a niggly cough and it went after a few visits.

Topical hydration (Steam inhalation), systemic hydration (drink anything except alcohol), rest, swallow hard rather than cough, see doctor.

It hits the threshold for needing GP review.

If it’s solved by lying down, it’s more likely to be sinuses than chest.

If you want to try things at home; steroid nasa
spray, sinus rinsing or antihistamines.

Yes obviously it does