To think this isn't a normal cough?

[Bagsintheboot]

Every time after I get a cold or similar, I get a truly awful cough.

Technically I would call it a tickly cough, but what it feels like is that I'm being stabbed in my windpipe just under my jaw with a feather. Tickle doesn't really cut it. It's always the same sensation, always in that same place. I do get "normal" tickly coughs and this isn't like that. This usually happens between twice an hour - every other hour.

It happens suddenly and sends me into an uncontrollable coughing fit - my stomach / ribcage spasms, I can't control anything and end up gasping for breath, I have tears rolling down my face, and very often I end up actually retching or gagging, or being sick. I usually end up pulling muscles badly and end up in pain too. I don't get more than an hour or two of sleep for weeks. Just this lunchtime I had to spit my food back out on to my plate as I was eating. Rather ruined my appetite.

This has been going on since I was a teenager, it's nothing to do with COVID.

I've thrown up on buses, in cars, had to sprint from the office (or meetings, more embarrassingly) trying desperately to control myself until I can get to the bathrooms, it really impacts my life badly for about two weeks after I've been ill and even a mild cold seems to trigger it.

I've tried every over the counter medicine going, nothing helps. When I see the doctors, they just say it's normal (although I don't see anyone else doubled up on the street coughing their guts out with any regularity). The last doctor I saw earlier this year tried to tell me it was whooping cough - in which case I've had more episodes of whooping cough than the entire cast of a Dickens novel - and gave me antibiotics. They didn't work. I've tried the stop-cough techniques, they don't work either.

This cannot be normal right? I don't see anyone else with the same problem. Its exhausting and makes me so anxious I daren't leave the house unless I absolutely have to.

Is there anyone else who gets this or are there any doctors for whom this rings any bells? I just cannot believe this is normal and I have to live like this for 8+ weeks a year.

What is interesting is that once you’ve had whooping cough once in your life, any cold or cough afterwards tends to mimic the original paroxysms.

I had a nurse diagnose asthma. GP had been no help so was fobbed off with nurse. She did a breath peak flow. Gave me a couple of puffs on an inhaler. Said sit back in the waiting room. I'll come and get you in ten minutes. I then did the peak flow test again. Result asthma.

It's pretty much controlled now but certain things can set me off so I carry an inhaler in my bag at all times. Use seretide at home morning and night.

It's annoying because different things can set it off. Something in someone's home, workplace, cold air, something the dogs bring in on their coats after a walk. I know when it's starting so escape the room grabbing my inhaler and head outside to use it and get some fresh air. Our new sofa set me off for a while.

I also take fexofenadine every morning.

I could have written your post OP. It’s so embarrassing, isn’t it? I absolutely hate it. I remember back when Swine Flu was in the news I was coughing like this in the office and people kept staring at me - I was like “I haven’t been to Mexico I swear”. A doctor did prescribe me an inhaler that time actually - my peak flow was very low. The inhaler helped my cough a little. But I was later told (when the cough was gone) my peak forward find now so I don’t have asthma. Yet I ended up on a nebuliser one time - I had been out for a run when I had a mild cold and the weather was cold. I was still struggling to breathe 24 hours later so went to the doctor. He put me on the nebuliser and told me I likely have asthma triggered by very specific circumstances. With what I’m reading on this thread, I’m wondering if maybe I need an I have on regular prescription! I’m just getting over a cold now. Had the cough for about 3 weeks although it’s almost gone. I tried my sons blue inhaler one night out of sheer desperation and it seemed to help!

The only other thing that works for me is over the counter strength co-codamols. A dr years ago told me codeine is a natural cough suppressant, but I think you need 15mg or more for it to work. So she said try taking 2 of my 8/500 co-codamols - and it works! I now take 2 before I go to bed so I can get 4 hours or so of sleep before it wears off and I wake up with the coughing fit you describe. Obviously don’t take it alongside normal paracetamol - take it instead of, but it’s worth a try!

I do feel for you - I always thought I never see anyone rise like this, so I’m pleased to read on here I don’t suffer alone. Do you get a weird tingly feeling all across your chest, head and arms when you have the coughing spell? That I particularly hate.

I was interested to read another poster say once you have had whooping cough, and coughs after mimic that. I am having a vague memory of whopping cough being mentioned when I was a kid, but don’t know if I was formally diagnosed. But that might make sense! Shame there’s no way to make it stop.

Oh, and to the poster making out you’re weird for getting “so many” colds… bully for you having a great immune system and not exposed to other people with illnesses. Would you like a medal? We are all different, and some people are more susceptible to coughs and colds than others. My middle son will be 18 next month. I can count on one hand how many times he’s been ill in his entire life - he just doesn’t get sick! My youngest has asthma and he suffers a lot more frequently with coughs and colds though. I know during covid it was the first time in my life I hadn’t had several colds over the winter (none at all in fact) but usually I get several each season. I take high doses of vitamin D etc and have regular blood tests for chronic conditions, so would be aware of any other deficiencies. Perhaps consider how it sounds next time you want to boast about your perfect health?

I'm sorry to others who have a similar experience! It is extremely unpleasant and sometimes quite scary, hopefully this thread helps others give their GP a nudge if they're suffering with similar.

Yes the point about having whooping cough as a child is interesting. I don't know if I have had whooping cough to be honest. I have a vague recollection that my mum took me to see a doctor about a.bad cough but I would have been about 10 or 11 and I genuinely don't remember the outcome or anything other than a faint memory of the appointment.

A doctor also said I had whooping cough, but it turned out it was acid reflux.