|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 23, 2016 22:03:40 GMT
I have had a dry cough for at least three months now. Some days I barely cough, other days every time I talk I have an urge to cough. I do not have a runny nose but so sometimes feel like my voice is echoing in my head (best way I can explain it). Some days when the cough is bad, I have been outside. Other days I have been inside most of the time. Today has been a bad day. It is rainy and hit and humid. I have run a few errands but mostly need inside, and it started when I was at the first place.
When I was younger I think I had allergies--lived in a different state but always had a runny nose and sinus issue. But that has not been a problem for quite some time. Probably since I moved out of my mom's home.
I keep thinking I should make a doctor appt and admit that I am a little paranoid because my mom has lung cancer. Wondering if this sounds like allergies, even without a stuffy/runny nose?
Update 7/26--I just had my dr appt. The chest x-Ray was negative and my CRP was good so they are referring me to allergy. They said the other issue could be GERD, but I don't really think that is it.
However, she said that my hemoglobin level is low and she wants me to follow up with my Gyn to see if it is due to heavy periods or some other issue, such as a gastrointestinal problem. I'm curious what others experiences have been and how your anemia was treated. Thanks!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:46:25 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 22:07:41 GMT
See a doctor. It could be allergies and it could be something eles.
I took a beta blocker that made me cough.
My cousin had a cough and died 3 months later of lung cancer. Had they caught it earlier they might could have treated him. But he ignored to cough as unimportant.
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,667 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Jul 24, 2016 1:05:05 GMT
Get tested by an allergist.
I had a cough that would come and go, but it seemed to me that it was staying longer and longer. I would lose my voice completely about 3x/year. As a teacher, that is more than a minor inconvenience! As a trained singer, I was terrified that I had nodes or other vocal damage.
The ENT said I had no vocal damage - he thought it was allergies, put me on Zyrtec, and sent me to an allergist for testing. My arms lit up like a Christmas tree. I live in the concrete jungle, so being allergic to trees and grasses was not something I ever considered.
I'm still taking Zyrtec daily, and I have lost my voice only once in the past several years.
|
|
|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 24, 2016 1:08:54 GMT
Thanks. I'll make an appt this week. I've thought about getting some allergy meds to see if it would go away, but 1) I hate taking medication and 2) the cough isn't consistent. I suppose on a day like today I could have taken it and maybe would have known if it was allergies if it got better (since the cough has been here all day) but some days I will cough for part of the day, then not much later.
|
|
|
|
Post by worrywart on Jul 24, 2016 4:03:29 GMT
Do you have drainage that could be triggering it or have your ever had asthma? Either of these can cause coughing that comes and goes.
|
|
M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
|
Post by M in Carolina on Jul 24, 2016 5:02:59 GMT
I have some food allergies.
I'm allergic to apples. Some people are just allergic to raw apples. the skin can soak up pollen, etc. and cause sinusitis type reactions. They can eat apples if they peel the skin and cook them. I have reactions no matter how they're prepared. I've even reacted to baked goods that have apple sauce and can't even eat apple cider vinegar!
My other food allergies cause gastric problems or an anaphylactic reaction.
The apple allergy stuffs me up like I have a sinus infection or a head cold.
I agree with the other peas who say that you should get this checked out. Go see your primary care doctor. There are other problems that can cause these symptoms besides allergies. Losing your voice can be caused by thyroid stuff.
My heart arrythmia makes me cough. Coughing bears down on your chest, and that makes my heart rate stabilize. When I lie down on my side, I can feel my heart beating weird, so I cough a few times. Sleeping on your left side doesn't require as much work for your heart, so ever since I was an infant, I've slept on my side. No matter what position I fall asleep in, I wake up on my left side.
Indigestion, GERD, etc. can also make you cough. It's possible to have these problems even when you don't feel burning, etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Ang on Jul 24, 2016 13:15:50 GMT
It could be allergies. I have been on allergy medicine for years and years due to environmental/seasonal allergies. I was taking Zyrtec with great results and then I started having this lingering cough. The doctor added Singulair and I take Singulair in the morning and Zyrtec at night and I haven't had a cough since I started this regime. I do still have issues with watery eyes and a headache occasionally, but for the most part this does help control my allergies.
However, harvest season is coming and then follows fall which means the joy of people burning leaves/brush in their yard. I know I'll be miserable here real soon! That's always the worst time of year for me.
I wish people realized the huge impact that burning grass and leaves causes people with allergies and asthma. If someone is burning I can't go outside or even open my windows or it feels like every bit of oxygen is removed and I can not take a breath.
|
|
|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 24, 2016 13:56:01 GMT
My Ob/gyn is listed as my pcp--should I try to see him for this? Or just make an appt with a family practice Doctor?
I don't lose my voice but when I talk, I get an urge to cough mid sentence. My mom actually has the same thing now, but I think hers has only been a problem since having her lung surgery.
|
|
|
|
Post by mom on Jul 24, 2016 20:11:55 GMT
Make an apt with your family doctor.
|
|
paigepea
Drama Llama
Enter your message here...
Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
|
Post by paigepea on Jul 24, 2016 20:47:07 GMT
It sounds like seasonal allergies. My ear has been plugging up since September. On and off. Like it could with a cold but I not when I have one. I get echoing in my head and it causes slight pain. It can last a few minutes or a few hours. I assume it's allergies.
I might bring it up at my next appt but I doubt my gp would do anything. It doesn't bother me enough regularly to take a decongestant. If it did that is probably what I'd do. If it bothers you so much I guess you could go to the dr. What would you expect dr to do / say?
Paige.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:46:25 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 21:49:47 GMT
My Ob/gyn is listed as my pcp--should I try to see him for this? Or just make an appt with a family practice Doctor? I don't lose my voice but when I talk, I get an urge to cough mid sentence. My mom actually has the same thing now, but I think hers has only been a problem since having her lung surgery. Personally, I'd go to a family practice or general practice instead of an OB/GYN but if it is going to take longer to get in because they aren't your pcp then I'd go with the pcp. Save |
|
|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 26, 2016 20:09:35 GMT
Update in op
|
|
Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
|
Post by Montannie on Jul 26, 2016 21:35:29 GMT
My anemia was a symptom of celiac disease. But I'll bet I was 20 years older than you when I was diagnosed, so no menstrual bleeding to affect iron levels.
|
|
|
|
Post by leftturnonly on Jul 26, 2016 21:38:54 GMT
It sounds like my allergies.
I had a horrible hacking cough so bad I could hardly breathe before I started taking allergy medicine.
|
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 26, 2016 21:39:05 GMT
...I'm not answering your question about anemia, but your update reminded me that my dad was recently diagnosed with 'silent GERD' that manifested itself with some throat issues and an ongoing cough rather than the 'classic' heartburn-type symptoms that most people associate with GERD.
|
|
|
|
Post by leftturnonly on Jul 26, 2016 21:42:30 GMT
Thanks. I'll make an appt this week. I've thought about getting some allergy meds to see if it would go away, but 1) I hate taking medication and 2) the cough isn't consistent. I suppose on a day like today I could have taken it and maybe would have known if it was allergies if it got better (since the cough has been here all day) but some days I will cough for part of the day, then not much later. Taking meds is not so bad. Allergy medicine is best if you take it continuously for some time. When it makes you feel so much better, you get used to taking it real quick! |
|
Southern Side eyed Pea 
