Re: Re: Cough Variant Asthma

[Guest guest]

I've done so much reading on asthma since early last year. I thought if I stayed away from cats I wouldn't need the meds but found out different. I also regret the fact that both of my parents were very heavy smokers and so were their friends. I know that didn't help my lungs. My sister also has problems.KathyTo: asthma Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 10:01 AMSubject: Re: Cough Variant Asthma

I only have the Cough Variant Asthma. When I go to ER or any other dr & they listen to my chest, they let me know that they don't hear any wheezing. I have to tell them that I have cough variant & then have to proceed to instruct them that I don't wheeze, I cough. Sometimes they don't believe that I'm really having an asthma attach because of no wheezing. It's discouraging at times.

[Guest guest]

Sorry you have more symptoms than I do. I've been on prednisone several times before any doctor figured out what I had. Always fixed the problem but when I was done taking them the cough came back.KathyTo:

asthma Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 5:36 PMSubject: Re: Cough Variant Asthma

Yes I have cough variant asthma. It's a pain in the ER when you cough but don't wheeze. The inexperienced think you have to wheeze to be having an attack. I also have something called cough syncope which means I cough so hard I cut off the oxygen to my heart and brain and pass out. My pulmonologist has me on 800 mg of benzonate, tussicaps twice a day and 1 teaspoon of tussinex liquid alternating every 6 hours with the capsules. I still cough, but not nearly as much. I also have allergic and exercise induced asthma so I use my nebulizer four times a day. I don't know if I would have to use it as much if I just had cough variant asthma. I am on three liters of oxygen so that helps and when I start to cough I have found that drinking something hot like coffee or tea will make it stop. I have a Keurig in my bathroom on the counter just for using at night. My prednisone is usually at 40 to 60 mg per day but right now in the hopes we can slow down

some of the side effects I am doing 20mg one day and 40 the next and alternating back and forth.

[Guest guest]

Wow guys, I though I was the only " Crazy One " with Cough Asthma, I don't think they even know such asthma exist here in Mexico, well, at least in the Clinic where I wan. I went last night to ER because a high blood (207/95) at the beginning, I was even hearing drums very loud  in both my ears!. I begin with difficult breathing and take 2 salbutamol shots.. nothing! I had to call my sister to take me to ER. When I arrive, after taking my blood pressure daily dose, I was only with 180/70 the doctor examined my lungs me she hear me coughing and told me, -Hun, you are having and asthma attack, that is my your blood pressure raise-. They immediately put me on a nebulizer and remain there after the asthma was gone. The thing is that, I wasn't coughing a lot, as I sometimes do, she told me -probably a " silent asthma attack " - ... such thing exist? I though. I came back with a normal blood pressure but I am now really coughing, with a headache and taking pills while awaiting my  doctor visit on Thursday.

 

Sorry you have more symptoms than I do.  I've been on prednisone several times before any doctor figured out what I had.  Always fixed the problem but when I was done taking them the cough came back.

Kathy

To:

asthma Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 5:36 PMSubject: Re: Cough Variant Asthma

 

Yes I have cough variant asthma. It's a pain in the ER when you cough but don't wheeze. The inexperienced think you have to wheeze to be having an attack. I also have something called cough syncope which means I cough so hard I cut off the oxygen to my heart and brain and pass out. My pulmonologist has me on 800 mg of benzonate, tussicaps twice a day and 1 teaspoon of tussinex liquid alternating every 6 hours with the capsules. I still cough, but not nearly as much. I also have allergic and exercise induced asthma so I use my nebulizer four times a day. I don't know if I would have to use it as much if I just had cough variant asthma. I am on three liters of oxygen so that helps and when I start to cough I have found that drinking something hot like coffee or tea will make it stop. I have a Keurig in my bathroom on the counter just for using at night. My prednisone is usually at 40 to 60 mg per day but right now in the hopes we can slow down

some of the side effects I am doing 20mg one day and 40 the next and alternating back and forth.

[Guest guest]

There are a lot of undiagnosed bacteria that can harbor in the lungs. However, those infections are generally rooted deep in the lung tissue and are not treated until someone has a bronchoscope. Also, those same infections generally need a long term antibiotic. I had to take one for six months straight. So, if that is the case, I would be willing to guess that her cough will come back. I hope not, but the short term antibiotic could have killed just enough of the bugs to give her temporary relief. Lung issues can be so complex. It is sad that docs will just write off symptoms and not investigate the root causes.MadelineTo: asthma Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 7:33 PMSubject: Re: Cough Variant Asthma

I saw a dental hygiene patient today who had a cough for years, in addition to her smoking-related lung issues. Her doctor just chalked it up to smoking. Then recently she had to take two rounds of antibiotics for a bladder infection and the cough is gone. Go figure...

It does seem as if doctors would want to nail down the proper diagnosis so the treatment could be appropriate for the problem. Sigh.

JoAnn in SoCal