Why did my Doctor do this?

[flowerlover1990]

I've had a persistent dry cough for 3 weeks. I'm exhausted with it. I can't finish a sentence without it turning into a coughing fit. My throat is sore too. I finally got a GP appointment today, he listened to my chest and checked my throat and I walked out the appointment with an Omeprazole prescription. What an earth?! He thinks I have acid reflux. I have no other symptoms of acid reflux whatsoever. Why would he not try me on antibiotics first? I was too exhausted to fight, so just walked out feeling very confused. What do I do?!

Presumably your chest sounded clear.

I'd take the medication. What else?

Why do people in this day and age still not understand that antibiotics shouldn't be taken unless absolutely necessary.

One of the symptoms of acid reflux is a dry, unproductive cough and a sore throat. You may not be aware of the acid. Give the medication a go and see if it improves. If your chest is clear, presumably your GP checked this, then he won't give you antibiotics, as there's no infection. If it isn't acid, it's most likely a virus, and antibiotics won't work.

Sounds like more symptoms of reflux than an infection!

He thinks I have acid reflux. I have no other symptoms of acid reflux whatsoever.

But persistent, dry cough can very well be a major symptom of acid reflux, and sometimes the only one. They probably listened to your chest and other markers and it's likely a virus whereby antibiotics wouldn't work anyway, they're not a medication we should be throwing about as a first roll of the dice just in case.

Why not try them and see if they help? If not or if you get worse go back.

The doctor feels that your cough is caused by acid reflux.

That’s not such a wild suggestion.

A dry persistent cough is a symptom of acid reflux. If your chest is clear then this is a logical step.
Would you rather take antibiotics that will likely do nothing or drugs that can help?

It's called silent reflux. I have it without a cough but a cough is very common.

Dry unproductive cough, no fever, no other cold symptoms, clear chest? It doesn't sound bacterial. Could be acid reflux.

A cough was the only symptom I had when I had acid reflux.

Lansoprazole sorted it out very quickly

May I ask did you then stop taking the medication? Did you have to change your diet to continue being symptom free.
Just been prescribed Omeprazole but no further advice.

It sounds like silent reflux op.

Your language is quite telling - too exhausted to fight. Why would you fight, why would you not just ask him why he thought that and I’m sure he would have explained.

Why do you want antibiotics? If it is not bacterial they are pointless. You are assuming chest infection but the GP presumably heard nothing on the chest.

So he didnt say ‘I think its’

He just gave you the prescription with no other information?

I mean, granted he should have explained if he didn't.

Ask to be tested for whooping cough.

My MiL suffered with a dry, persistent cough and sore throat. Lots of antibiotics to no avail. Eventually was referred to ENT. They put a camera through her nose and down to have a look. Result was...a diagnosis of acid reflux. 6 weeks of omeprazole and nightly gaviscon and symptoms are gone. We were all really surprised too - she wasn't aware of any acid or tummy issues or anything.

Try it. If it’s doesn’t work, go back and try something different.

He's absolutely correct.

Did they listen to your chest?
I assume it was clear. A dry cough wouldn't usually indicate a chest infection.

I have a dry tickly cough as the only symptom of acid reflux. I take the meds you were prescribed and find them very effective. You should also avoid a variety of food, google to find out which.

Just to add if you have a cough for more than 4 weeks you should have a chest xray ...

Presumably the sore throat is what makes him think acid reflux?