Cough variant asthma.

[Thunderduck]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

I've been told that I may have it, after ending up in casualty yesterday and today, having developed shortness of breath and crushing pains in my ribs and back.

I've had an almost constant cough for 3 months, and it's worse at night. Cold air and exercise make it worse.

I've had every test known to man, and have to monitor my peak flow for a week.

Any advice/thoughts on being diagnosed with this or experience of treating it would be much appreciated.

I have this now after developing pneumonia (and then ignoring the symptoms)three years ago. I am perfectly fine in the summer but as soon as the cold weather hits I cough non stop (have cracked ribs from this too). I just live on my inhalers and spend a lot of time in the steam room at the gym. Sorry I couldnt help much.

Ty for that. All experience shared is helpful.

How often do you have to use your inhalers if I may ask?

ventolin 2x4 puffs per day
seretide 2x4 puffs per day
I do take more if needed but thats all I need on a good day.
I use a humidifier at night too and sleep on extra pillows. Only had one asthma attack this year which is good but this winter has been hard and pulled muscles from coughing so am planning to move back home to warmer climates as I cant stand the coughing.

Have you had allergy tests? And what triggers your asthma besides the cold weather? Does exercise make it worse?

I actually like to exercise when I am coughing. Some kind of wierd home mad remedy. Kind of a what makes you stronger wont kill you kind of thing.
Its just the cold that makes it act up so moving to the UK was not the smartest thing I ever did

Hi.Ive just read your messages and i was wondering if you cud help me.I had a chest infection in november 2008 and in december i started getting a dry cough.I have been on 3 lots of antibiotics but they have done nothing.My doctor also put me on inhalers but says my chest is clear so i dont see the point of taking them.Im getting scared now as it has been over 3 months and its getting worse if anything.Im convincing myself that i have something seroiously wrong with me.I dont want to go back to the dr but i feel like im choking all the time.Its really getting me down now and i dont know how much longer i can cope with it.Thank you

Take your inhalers if you aren't doing so already. My chest sounds clear but they still believe I have cough variant asthma.

Have they mentioned cough variant asthma to you? If the inhalers aren't providing relief go back to the dr asap, you don't want to leave it as I did and have an asthma attack.

Thank you.Ive started my inhalers again.Today is a bad day,my throats so sore and chest hurts with all the coughing.Im going to the dr's again on monday as i feel so rough but thank you for your advice.

Glad to hear you're going to the dr's again.

I know it's a pain but it's better than feeling like this. Post to let me know how you get on on Monday if you don't mind.

Your case sounds very similar to mine, as this started back in December with a chest infection.

I know it sounds funny but i dont feel as worried now as ive read you have had similar.Im just really fed up with the coughing,its hurting my chest and ribs now but hopefully the dr will suggest something else which i hope will cure me.Thank you for your time

dh developed adult onset asthma when he had a cold followed by chest infection in September. Since then, every time he's caught a cold from the dds its triggered asthma - and he's needed a course of steroids as well as the inhalers to stop it.

He was told to use the preventer only when he was starting a cold, but now he's been told to just use it daily all winter...so we're hoping that will do the trick and make colds less worrying. But he's also been given a prescription for 5 day course of steroids to take if it starts up again...

I was shocked to see how exhausted and unwell poor dh felt with it, sympathies to you both and I hope the GP helps, stresshaed.

dh says damp air is also a trigger, so avoid that if you can

As asthma is a variable condition, peak flow readings (which measure lung function) done over a couple of weeks are a useful for diagnosis.
If asthma diagnosed your likely to be started on a (blue) reliever inhaler, to be used when you get symptoms. Works within 5 min and lasts 5-6hrs.
You may also be started on (brown/beige/burgandy) preventor inhaler. This is taken 1-2x a day, and should be taken consistently.However if your symptoms are seasonal you may start/stop this just before/after that season.
Triggers are numerous and often include exercise, changes in air temp etc.
Night time symptoms may be worsened if you are a mouth breather/snorer. If this is caused by your nose being blocked much of the time, nasal sprays from your GP may help. Good sites to check out are asthma.uk and patient.uk.
Incidentally, if cough for over 3 months and no history asthma see Gp. Hope helpful.

I've had CVA for nearly 2 years now, at times it has been so troublesome I was only getting a few hours sleep a night. I have a steroid inhaler which I take moring and night.This has improved my condition except for when I get a cold during winter. Consult a Doc if cough is persistant.

Hi Just to let you know how im getting on.I went to my dr and because im on propranolol, as i have an ectopic heartbeat,they think this could be making my coughing worse as you shouldnt be on this medication if you have asthma,even though ive been on these tablets for over 10 years,so i had to go and see my consultant.I have now been put on nebrivalol which is more for the heart and not numorous conditions that propranolol can be used for.Ive only been on them for a couple of days so not really noticed any different yet apart from a pounding headache,which is one of the side effects,just hope this will go after a while on the new tablets.I do find sucking cough sweets does ease the coughing but thats all ive found so far.I will let you know if these new tablets make any difference,i hope so.

I am glad you have an answer. I have yet another chest infection (3rd this year) and I would love to get it sorted. I don't think that the doctors can really do anything else can they?

Oh poor you.I still am coughing so bad ive pulled my back.Im so fed up with it now and feeling really down,as i expect you are too.I going to hospital on 30th march to the resportary dept for more tests,im just hoping they can come up with a cure,i know thay wont but i just want to stop coughing.We are due to go on holiday in April and ive told my friends and husband im not going.I cant walk anywhere without getting out of breath and coughing and i dont want to spoil the holiday for everyone else.Hope you feel better soon

I googled cough variant asthma as I have just been diagnosed with this - and up popped this thread from the dark ages! I have just started on the steroid inhaler and am not very happy about it as I also have osteoporosis. I too am on a seriously minute dose of propranalol for migraines - if I stop it all hell is let loose, so I guess I will have to stick with it.

I will soldier on with the inhalers and see what hapens.

Yes
My son (14)
I'm afraid ime Drs don't take it seriously unless they wheat a wheeze.
This has resulted in him getting pneumonia more than once as they just wouldn't treat him.
I'm far more pro active now and make sure every Dr and his school know that he does not wheeze when having an exacerbation .

Main tips:
Take your preventers religiously even if you feel well
Make sure you attend your reviews (every 6 months)
Ask Your Dr for some prednisolone to keep.in the cupboard