Chronic Cough

[Guest guest]

I've been Hiv+ for 25years. I am 47 yrs old. I have a Chronic cough that last

for a few months at a time. Hacking away, up all night, and should buy stock in

cough drops!

I have been tested for Allergies, scopes through the nose, throat, pills to

numb the throat, allergy meds., chest xrays, and i believe a breathing test.

Cough syrup with codeine is the only thing that ever worked but I can not take

that everyday. The cough is debilitating as i cough until i wrench and vomit

occasionally, Which means pulling the car over when i am driving, leaving a

public place, ect. This has been going on for 16 years now. I have had these

test more than once. Once the cough subsides i am a quick forget-er then it

comes again and i get depressed as it's debilitating and a disruption in my life

The cough has been tracked and have had it during fall, winter, spring and

summer. Also I live in Ohio and winter in Florida, had it in both states. I see

my Hiv Doctor in a couple of weeks. I am at my wits end and there has to be a

solution to this problem. But i don't know what else to do or ask from my Doctor

who has had me take these test before. The recent scope < while in Florida>

showed i had Canadi <spelling> in my esophagus, any other time test showed

redness and irritation. Another thing is I can't take strong smells, Cigarettes,

perfume, ect. dry's my throat out and increases the cough. Cold weather and

Hot/Humidity increases my cough as well.

I remember in the early days of Aids there was talk of a Chronic Dry cough

associated with HIV. Has anyone ever had this problem or any of your HIV

friends? I appreciate any feedback!

Thank You

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Jeff, I had a serious chronic cough for ten years. Test after test revealed nothing.

It turned out to be caused by GERD and was cured by my going on a low-acid diet. Please check this out with a knowledgeable physician. You can also do the experiment by going on a low-acid diet that specifically is designed to reduce GERD. That should be combined with daily use of an acid reducer (Omeprazole) or Prilosec OTC (over the counter). The diet is safe and healthy. But get an assessment first.

The cough may not be related to your HIV status.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/17/2012 3:33:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff@... writes:

I've been Hiv+ for 25years. I am 47 yrs old. I have a Chronic cough that last for a few months at a time. Hacking away, up all night, and should buy stock in cough drops!I have been tested for Allergies, scopes through the nose, throat, pills to numb the throat, allergy meds., chest xrays, and i believe a breathing test. Cough syrup with codeine is the only thing that ever worked but I can not take that everyday. The cough is debilitating as i cough until i wrench and vomit occasionally, Which means pulling the car over when i am driving, leaving a public place, ect. This has been going on for 16 years now. I have had these test more than once. Once the cough subsides i am a quick forget-er then it comes again and i get depressed as it's debilitating and a disruption in my lifeThe cough has been tracked and have had it during fall, winter, spring and summer. Also I live in Ohio and winter in Florida, had it in both states. I see my Hiv Doctor in a couple of weeks. I am at my wits end and there has to be a solution to this problem. But i don't know what else to do or ask from my Doctor who has had me take these test before. The recent scope < while in Florida> showed i had Canadi <spelling> in my esophagus, any other time test showed redness and irritation. Another thing is I can't take strong smells, Cigarettes, perfume, ect. dry's my throat out and increases the cough. Cold weather and Hot/Humidity increases my cough as well. I remember in the early days of Aids there was talk of a Chronic Dry cough associated with HIV. Has anyone ever had this problem or any of your HIV friends? I appreciate any feedback! Thank You Jeff

[Guest guest]

I forgot to mention that i also take meds for Acid reflux. Tried different ones and strengths from my Doc.Sent from my Motorola Smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

[Guest guest]

Last year I had a similar experience - all winter long - it turned out to be my blood pressure medication (lisinopril). My. Dr. had increased the dose before the cough started. After about a month of a 24/7 cough, I thought it was time to see my Dr. I saw 2 nurse practitioners, and my PCP - none of them thought to look at my meds on the computer - after two chest x-rays, a CT scan (which was in case I had lung cancer or lymphoma - a 5 day scare that I might have cancer) numerous prescriptions - (about $12,000 billed to medicare and Blue Cross), I figured it out - saw that a persistent cough was a side effect for Lisinopril - called one of the Nurse Practitioners and was told: "I'll make a note of it" - nothing happened until I took it upon myself to stop taking the Lisinopril - the cough

was gone in 5 days. This experience was at MGH in Boston - I have since moved my health care elsewhere. I am back on the lower dose of Lisinopril - working ok, sometimes my BP is slightly elevated, but I don't have a 24/7 cough lasting 8 weeks. Jeff

[Guest guest]

Whenever I am prescribed a medication or take something OTC, I always check for drug side effects and interactions. There are plenty of on-line places to do that. I like Drug.com because I can keep a list of all meds I take and have taken, and it automatically scans for any interactions. I always try to keep that updated with a print out for all my doctors and any hospital/specialists. It has helped me be an educated patient and facilitates good exchanges between my doctors and me with them. I think everyone should take it upon themselves to keep up to date on all their medications. One of the things I like about Drug.com is that I can carry the app on my iPhone and have a copy of everything at hand when and where ever I am. I'm also luck to have a pharmacist who watches for interactions between my medications as well. Jon MarkleRaleighOn Apr 18, 2012, at 10:55 AM, Jeff Dougherty wrote:Last year I had a similar experience - all winter long - it turned out to be my blood pressure medication (lisinopril). My. Dr. had increased the dose before the cough started. After about a month of a 24/7 cough, I thought it was time to see my Dr. I saw 2 nurse practitioners, and my PCP - none of them thought to look at my meds on the computer - after two chest x-rays, a CT scan (which was in case I had lung cancer or lymphoma - a 5 day scare that I might have cancer) numerous prescriptions - (about $12,000 billed to medicare and Blue Cross), I figured it out - saw that a persistent cough was a side effect for Lisinopril - called one of the Nurse Practitioners and was told: "I'll make a note of it" - nothing happened until I took it upon myself to stop taking the Lisinopril - the cough was gone in 5 days. This experience was at MGH in Boston - I have since moved my health care elsewhere. I am back on the lower dose of Lisinopril - working ok, sometimes my BP is slightly elevated, but I don't have a 24/7 cough lasting 8 weeks. Jeff

[Guest guest]

Whenever I am prescribed a medication or take something OTC, I always check for drug side effects and interactions. There are plenty of on-line places to do that. I like Drug.com because I can keep a list of all meds I take and have taken, and it automatically scans for any interactions. I always try to keep that updated with a print out for all my doctors and any hospital/specialists. It has helped me be an educated patient and facilitates good exchanges between my doctors and me with them. I think everyone should take it upon themselves to keep up to date on all their medications. One of the things I like about Drug.com is that I can carry the app on my iPhone and have a copy of everything at hand when and where ever I am. I'm also luck to have a pharmacist who watches for interactions between my medications as well. Jon MarkleRaleighOn Apr 18, 2012, at 10:55 AM, Jeff Dougherty wrote:Last year I had a similar experience - all winter long - it turned out to be my blood pressure medication (lisinopril). My. Dr. had increased the dose before the cough started. After about a month of a 24/7 cough, I thought it was time to see my Dr. I saw 2 nurse practitioners, and my PCP - none of them thought to look at my meds on the computer - after two chest x-rays, a CT scan (which was in case I had lung cancer or lymphoma - a 5 day scare that I might have cancer) numerous prescriptions - (about $12,000 billed to medicare and Blue Cross), I figured it out - saw that a persistent cough was a side effect for Lisinopril - called one of the Nurse Practitioners and was told: "I'll make a note of it" - nothing happened until I took it upon myself to stop taking the Lisinopril - the cough was gone in 5 days. This experience was at MGH in Boston - I have since moved my health care elsewhere. I am back on the lower dose of Lisinopril - working ok, sometimes my BP is slightly elevated, but I don't have a 24/7 cough lasting 8 weeks. Jeff

[Guest guest]

Excellent comment. I was on Prinivil and that contributed to my cough big time. I am on Losartan now and it seems not to provoke that awful cough.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:22:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jeff1doug@... writes:

Last year I had a similar experience - all winter long - it turned out to be my blood pressure medication (lisinopril). My. Dr. had increased the dose before the cough started. After about a month of a 24/7 cough, I thought it was time to see my Dr. I saw 2 nurse practitioners, and my PCP - none of them thought to look at my meds on the computer - after two chest x-rays, a CT scan (which was in case I had lung cancer or lymphoma - a 5 day scare that I might have cancer) numerous prescriptions - (about $12,000 billed to medicare and Blue Cross), I figured it out - saw that a persistent cough was a side effect for Lisinopril - called one of the Nurse Practitioners and was told: "I'll make a note of it" - nothing happened until I took it upon myself to stop taking the Lisinopril - the cough was gone in 5 days. This experience was at MGH in Boston - I have since moved my health care elsewhere. I am back on the lower dose of Lisinopril - working ok, sometimes my BP is slightly elevated, but I don't have a 24/7 cough lasting 8 weeks.

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Excellent comment. I was on Prinivil and that contributed to my cough big time. I am on Losartan now and it seems not to provoke that awful cough.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:22:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jeff1doug@... writes:

Last year I had a similar experience - all winter long - it turned out to be my blood pressure medication (lisinopril). My. Dr. had increased the dose before the cough started. After about a month of a 24/7 cough, I thought it was time to see my Dr. I saw 2 nurse practitioners, and my PCP - none of them thought to look at my meds on the computer - after two chest x-rays, a CT scan (which was in case I had lung cancer or lymphoma - a 5 day scare that I might have cancer) numerous prescriptions - (about $12,000 billed to medicare and Blue Cross), I figured it out - saw that a persistent cough was a side effect for Lisinopril - called one of the Nurse Practitioners and was told: "I'll make a note of it" - nothing happened until I took it upon myself to stop taking the Lisinopril - the cough was gone in 5 days. This experience was at MGH in Boston - I have since moved my health care elsewhere. I am back on the lower dose of Lisinopril - working ok, sometimes my BP is slightly elevated, but I don't have a 24/7 cough lasting 8 weeks.

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Would someone please share a summary of this

GERD-compliant low-acid diet....???

It sounds like a thing people would like to learn

about to say away from it....

From: "solarjerom@..." <solarjerom@...>Jeff@...; Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:13 PMSubject: Re: Re: Chronic Cough

Hi. I did that too, and they did not help very much. What made the difference was going on a GERD-compliant low-acid diet. Have you tried that? It took abut six weeks for the cough to clear up completely, and I felt like I had a new life.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:00:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff@... writes:

I forgot to mention that i also take meds for Acid reflux. Tried different ones and strengths from my Doc.

[Guest guest]

Would someone please share a summary of this

GERD-compliant low-acid diet....???

It sounds like a thing people would like to learn

about to say away from it....

From: "solarjerom@..." <solarjerom@...>Jeff@...; Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:13 PMSubject: Re: Re: Chronic Cough

Hi. I did that too, and they did not help very much. What made the difference was going on a GERD-compliant low-acid diet. Have you tried that? It took abut six weeks for the cough to clear up completely, and I felt like I had a new life.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:00:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff@... writes:

I forgot to mention that i also take meds for Acid reflux. Tried different ones and strengths from my Doc.

[Guest guest]

If you spend a few minutes using Google you can find out what foods you should avoid to minimize GERD and its associated effects, such as a chronic bad cough. Alas, you have to stay away from alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits, whole milk, and some other foods that most of us like. Once the symptoms have subsided it was my experience that I could add in a little of some of those foods. However, a bit of coughing did return, but nothing like before I used that diet plus Prilosec to eliminate the cough.

Here is one of dozens of serious on-line discussions of GERD and how it can be effectively treated.

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/page2.htm

If GERD or a serious chronic cough that has resisted diagnosis are bothering you, see a qualified specialist (e.g., gastroenterologist) and do your own research on line.

Here is a bit more info:

http://www.gicare.com/diets/gerd.aspx

Food Groups

Group

Recommend

Avoid

Milk or milk products

skim, 1% or 2% low-fat milk; low-fat or fat-free yogurt

whole milk (4%), chocolate milk

Vegetables

all other vegetables

fried or creamy style vegetables*, tomatoes

Fruits

apples, berries, melons, bananas, peaches, pears

citrus*: such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple

Breads & grains

all those made with low-fat content

any prepared with whole milk or high-fat l

Meat, meat substitutes

low-fat meat, chicken, fish, turkey

cold cuts, sausage, bacon, fatty meat, chicken fat/skin

Fat, oils

none or small amounts

all animal or vegetable oils

Sweets & desserts

all items made with no or low fat (less than or equal to 3 g fat/serving)

chocolate, desserts made with oils and/or fats

Beverages

decaffeinated, non-mint herbal tea; juices (except citrus); water

alcohol, coffee (regular or decaffeinated), carbonated beverages, tea, mint tea

Soups

fat-free or low-fat based

chicken, beef, milk, or cream-based soups

*Individually determined (citrus fruit is quite acidic)

In a message dated 4/19/2012 1:34:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, george310541@... writes:

Would someone please share a summary of this

GERD-compliant low-acid diet....???

It sounds like a thing people would like to learn

about to say away from it....

, I don't know why you would say this.

From: "solarjerom@..." <solarjerom@...>Jeff@...; Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:13 PMSubject: Re: Re: Chronic Cough

Hi. I did that too, and they did not help very much. What made the difference was going on a GERD-compliant low-acid diet. Have you tried that? It took abut six weeks for the cough to clear up completely, and I felt like I had a new life.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:00:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff@... writes:

I forgot to mention that i also take meds for Acid reflux. Tried different ones and strengths from my Doc.

[Guest guest]

If you spend a few minutes using Google you can find out what foods you should avoid to minimize GERD and its associated effects, such as a chronic bad cough. Alas, you have to stay away from alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits, whole milk, and some other foods that most of us like. Once the symptoms have subsided it was my experience that I could add in a little of some of those foods. However, a bit of coughing did return, but nothing like before I used that diet plus Prilosec to eliminate the cough.

Here is one of dozens of serious on-line discussions of GERD and how it can be effectively treated.

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/page2.htm

If GERD or a serious chronic cough that has resisted diagnosis are bothering you, see a qualified specialist (e.g., gastroenterologist) and do your own research on line.

Here is a bit more info:

http://www.gicare.com/diets/gerd.aspx

Food Groups

Group

Recommend

Avoid

Milk or milk products

skim, 1% or 2% low-fat milk; low-fat or fat-free yogurt

whole milk (4%), chocolate milk

Vegetables

all other vegetables

fried or creamy style vegetables*, tomatoes

Fruits

apples, berries, melons, bananas, peaches, pears

citrus*: such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple

Breads & grains

all those made with low-fat content

any prepared with whole milk or high-fat l

Meat, meat substitutes

low-fat meat, chicken, fish, turkey

cold cuts, sausage, bacon, fatty meat, chicken fat/skin

Fat, oils

none or small amounts

all animal or vegetable oils

Sweets & desserts

all items made with no or low fat (less than or equal to 3 g fat/serving)

chocolate, desserts made with oils and/or fats

Beverages

decaffeinated, non-mint herbal tea; juices (except citrus); water

alcohol, coffee (regular or decaffeinated), carbonated beverages, tea, mint tea

Soups

fat-free or low-fat based

chicken, beef, milk, or cream-based soups

*Individually determined (citrus fruit is quite acidic)

In a message dated 4/19/2012 1:34:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, george310541@... writes:

Would someone please share a summary of this

GERD-compliant low-acid diet....???

It sounds like a thing people would like to learn

about to say away from it....

, I don't know why you would say this.

From: "solarjerom@..." <solarjerom@...>Jeff@...; Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:13 PMSubject: Re: Re: Chronic Cough

Hi. I did that too, and they did not help very much. What made the difference was going on a GERD-compliant low-acid diet. Have you tried that? It took abut six weeks for the cough to clear up completely, and I felt like I had a new life.

Jerome

In a message dated 4/18/2012 12:00:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff@... writes:

I forgot to mention that i also take meds for Acid reflux. Tried different ones and strengths from my Doc.