[ducati1974]

Please give me your thoughts /experiences with my symptoms. For the short version skip to the bullets below.
Last January I caught a very bad cold from a visitor. After two months of Dr. visits and antibiotics, I continued to have irritants in my throat causing me to clear it continuously and causing coughing. All other "cold" symptoms gone.
I had chest Xrays, and CAT scans and lung Dr. visits along with allergy meds, more antibiotics, inhalers and prednisone. While some things helped a little, it always came back.
Finally, I persuaded my Dr. that my cough was not from my lungs, but due to the irritants in my throat, so he sent me to an Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist.
The ENT diagnosed me with Acid Reflux and put me on Omeprazole (Prilosec). After 3 weeks the symptoms were almost gone, but then gradually came back about 60% and did not improve further.
The ENT told me to double the dose and come back in 4 months. The doubled dose did not help.
When my scrip ran out, after 2 months, my primary refused to refill it and wanted me to come in for a possible upper GI. I was so disgusted that he overruled the ENT that I balked and instead discontinued another medication I've been on for years (Citallopram) to see if that was the cause.
Now, a month later, with no improvement I'm reluctantly ready to go back to the primary to see if he can solve what seems to be an easy problem.

Current Symptoms:
>Continuous clearing of throat due to irritant (gunk) in throat
>Occasional coughing/ choking due to irritant
>Does not have that vomit acid taste
>Almost never a problem at night or early morning/ worst in evening
>Everyday occurrence
>No noticeable specific food causes
Thanks for your help

[Geewiz]

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for Mayo...they are the best (in the world) at sussing out the source of symptoms. Do not try to self-diagnose unless the problem is obvious...in which case your primary care doc would have figured it out.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ducati1974

Please give me your thoughts /experiences with my symptoms. For the short version skip to the bullets below.
Last January I caught a very bad cold from a visitor. After two months of Dr. visits and antibiotics, I continued to have irritants in my throat causing me to clear it continuously and causing coughing. All other "cold" symptoms gone.
I had chest Xrays, and CAT scans and lung Dr. visits along with allergy meds, more antibiotics, inhalers and prednisone. While some things helped a little, it always came back.
Finally, I persuaded my Dr. that my cough was not from my lungs, but due to the irritants in my throat, so he sent me to an Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist.
The ENT diagnosed me with Acid Reflux and put me on Omeprazole (Prilosec). After 3 weeks the symptoms were almost gone, but then gradually came back about 60% and did not improve further.
The ENT told me to double the dose and come back in 4 months. The doubled dose did not help.
When my scrip ran out, after 2 months, my primary refused to refill it and wanted me to come in for a possible upper GI. I was so disgusted that he overruled the ENT that I balked and instead discontinued another medication I've been on for years (Citallopram) to see if that was the cause.
Now, a month later, with no improvement I'm reluctantly ready to go back to the primary to see if he can solve what seems to be an easy problem.

Current Symptoms:
>Continuous clearing of throat due to irritant (gunk) in throat
>Occasional coughing/ choking due to irritant
>Does not have that vomit acid taste
>Almost never a problem at night or early morning/ worst in evening
>Everyday occurrence
>No noticeable specific food causes
Thanks for your help

It sounds like a classic case of Gerd to me. The upper GI is a good idea. Almost always weight is a factor in this too in that some weight loss and diet change might help, but a diagnosis is needed here. Episodes can be brought on by excitement/ and or stress. Continuing to "burn" your esophogus is not good for you over long term.

Another thing to check is whether your coughing started at the same time you began a new blood pressure medication. Some of them, oddly enough, cause dry coughing...frequently. I had that happen to me and when I switched blood pressure medicine it stopped. This happened to a friend too.

Hoping you will resolve this soon and feel just great once again. Hugs.

Mayo and Shands are great teaching hospitals with the answers if you feel you aren't getting them here on campus.

I am not a medical person. I have Reflux.

[mickey100]

I understand your frustration with the continuing symptoms. My first thought was to check out the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Mayo Clinic Florida or call 904-953-0853 for an appointment.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Geewiz

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for Mayo...they are the best (in the world) at sussing out the source of symptoms. Do not try to self-diagnose unless the problem is obvious...in which case your primary care doc would have figured it out.

This is the best advice you are going to get from this board. Check with them on your insurance first .....................

[quirky3]

"Hold the Mayo" - Shands in Gainesville is also excellent, and closer to you

[kgentile1010]

I agree, you need to pursue your symptoms with your Drs. Don't give up. The right doctor can fix you. I do have two ideas you could discuss with them.

The first is to have them do a swab in your sinus to find out if you have a sinus infection and what bacteria it is. I had a sinus infection where the bacteria wasn't killed by the antibiotic they gave me. I had to do a different one. They took a swab and grew the stuff to see what it was. Then they gave me an antibiotic that killed that specific bacteria.

I also have gastritis which can cause coughing, especially after I eat. There's no stomach acid involved. At first I thought it was my sinus', but come to find out it was gastritis. The did an Endoscopy to diagnose it. I did do the medicine, but treated it with diet (lost 25 lbs, eating healthy). No medicine now. I don't see you mention an Endoscopy. You could discuss that with them also.

Good luck!!! I will keep you in my prayers.

[kgentile1010]

Sorry, one more comment. See if your primary will refer you to a Gastroenterologist. Sounds funny an ENT treating Acid Reflux.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by Geewiz

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for Mayo...they are the best (in the world) at sussing out the source of symptoms. Do not try to self-diagnose unless the problem is obvious...in which case your primary care doc would have figured it out.

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

This is the best advice you are going to get from this board. Check with them on your insurance first .....................

[courtyard]

I had a bad cough for several years and got rid of it permanently when I gave up all dairy. You will find dairy is in everything from cakes, cookies, ice cream, yogurt, butter, mashed potatoes. Carefully read the labels on all packaged foods when shopping. Good luck :-)

[jannd228]

First check your insurance and see what you can have covered…

Second…check the mold in your home and if you have an allergy to penicillin you could have Aspergillosis Penicillium. I was a dance teacher became exposed to mold in a condo I purchased. I transitioned to teaching in public education on Cape Cod, black mold capital of the world IMHO.

I went to many doctors, given many diagnoses, lived in pain for 22 years. A former student became a doctor, contacted her and was given the above diagnosis. I am still working on the “cure” which is to stay in a mold free zone.

Doctors will tell you it is GERD, it is sinus, it is lung infection, it is whatever their specialty is. As it clears I also learned it is a spinal fracture from a fall. Doctors are just people like us; they don’t always have all the answers.

Good luck!!!

[NotGolfer]

Could be allergies...we can get them at any time, any age! Could be environmental issues. For several years I had re-occurant sinus infections that would go away temporarily with antibiotics. My doctor sent me to the allergist then to the E.N.T., who prescribed Prilosec 2X daily. He told me when we sleep contents from our stomach can come up, much like gerd, and somehow affect our sinus's. This seemed to help that!

But now I too have a cough which probably comes from having "dry mouth"...which many folks get as they age. The cause of this can be from medications and/or autoimmune diseases (ie. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's Disease and others). I wouldn't give up! See another doctor and get 2nd and 3rd opinions.

[shcisamax]

You might think this is completely off base but have you considered allergies? Not necessarily food allergies.

[duffysmom]

Mayo is a teaching hospital and one of the very best in diagnosing. I've been there on a couple of occasions and walked away knowing that I've had the very best of the best taking care of me. When I was told that I needed surgery by physician in TV's area I went to Mayo and no surgery was necessary. The beauty of Mayo is that you have all the specialties in one place and they communicate immediately with each other regarding the patient. The ride is a pleasant one on mostly country roads and takes approimately 3 hours. We stay overnight in a motel on the property.

[jebartle]

Gargle with salt water, twice a day, afternoon and early evening, in three days you should see a difference...Had same problem