I have had a really bad cough for going on 5 weeks. There is no fever, runny nose, stomache aches....nothing but the cough. It is so bad I often gag and throw up, or embarrassing enough tinkle a little sometimes....As a mom of three I don't think i can continue on much longer like this. I have seen my doctor 4 times in the past two weeks. They heve done numerous test. Thyroid, diabetes, pnemonia(they did an x ray). They also did a blood test for petossis thats whooping cough. The doc said the test cameback "equivilant", wich tells me nothing. She said it's "not a high positeve, and not a high negative". isn't that silly? She wants to keep me on the antibiotics, and i have a follow up on Thursday. This is really stessing me out. I'v been too tired to go to work for starting on the third week now.. We did a z-pack antibiotic that did nothing and now i'mon Levequin. I am totaly drained - between my 7month old baby boy and this severe cough...Any suggestions? Maybe another doctor I can see, or anybody going through the same?
ok, let me get you all caught up. first of all thanks so much for the cocerns, advice, and well wishes. they were all very helpful. and to the woman who did not support my posting this request: i was simply looking for any other suggestions or similar experiences. i was not planning to disregard my doctors feedback. And i would say in the future if there is not something postive to say don't say it at all. This page is here to let us help and support one another.
Ok, now thats off my chest. I'm still coughing. I saw another doc for a second opinion today and i saw my regular doctor. They seem to both think it could be a combination of things. They both ruled out a bacterial infection cause the Levequin is a strong antibiotic and should have helped by now, so they think it is a viral infection in cobination with allergies and asthma. i start codine and some steriods today, they also gave me nasal spray and an inhaler. Next week i go in for pulninary test - i think she said thats where they will test the way my lungs contract. i also did another x-ray today to help rule out heart disease and lung cancer.. i think the hardest thing for me right now is worrying about the bills getting paid. my job is giving me a hard time about being out because the docs have not given me a strong diagnosis. and this will be the third week with out pay. i used all my leave up when i had my baby. i have actually gotten a little used to the illness, but i don't know how to prepare for not have my second income comming in... mortgage, car notes, utility, water......Ahhhhhh They are trying to see if i qualifify for fmla and short term disability, but there is alot of red tape....
Have you been tested for asthma? I have asthma and when I have an attack it usually comes in the way of a bad cough to the point that I throw up.
A.,
I am not sure where you live, I am in Austin and the same thing happen to me a year ago June. I finally went to an Ear/Nose & Throat doctor and she was able to help. A lot of my coughing was from allergies which turned into sinus infections. My regular doc would give me 10 days of antibiotics it would get better for a week and then come back. The ENT doc. put me on 30 days of antiboitics, nose spray and some other meds to dry me up and it works. Dr. Karen Stierman in Westlake in Austin is who I went to. Good Luck it will get better. T.
You must go to another dr. Being on antibiotics. Have they checked you for allergies? Levaquin is a very powerful anti. Being on them for a long length of time can cause super infections. I get that cough at least twice a year. My dr. seems to be able to take care of it each time. Also have you tried Mucinex? I urge you to seek other proffesional help. Good luck
Last year I similar symptoms to what you're describing. I went to the doctor and he listened to my breathing and immediately asked if I ever used an inhaler for asthma. He said my breathing sounded like that of an asthmatic child...I have never had any signs/symptoms of asthma, but the inhaler did help. However, the cough persisted but eventually went away - he told me to take cough meds with guiphenasin (sp) in it (an expectorant) to get any materials out of my lungs. He thought it could be bronchitis. He said that I would need to cough up the stuff and really get it out, not swallow it. Anyway, later I began to figure out what was probably causing the issue. Last September, we went to Austin to the ACL Festival (3 day event) at Zilker Park and it was SOOO dusty, you could see the dust cloud for miles. (Hadn't rained in a while there.) People were all wearing scarves over their mouths, etc. but I just wasn't prepared for all of that. My husband had bad allergies at the time so he wasn't breathing well at all, but I inhaled tons of dust. I'm pretty sure the dust was sitting there on my lungs and that's why I was coughing. It probably did cause some sort of bronchitis, I'm guessing. But it's been gone ever since...just had to cough it all out.
Have you been tested for Tuberculosis(it is bacterial)?
Oddly enough the disease is making a comeback. I did a quick search of it's symptoms and it's worth asking.
My grandmother had tuberculosis, but was treated and doing well now.
Hope you get answers and relief soon!
My prayers are with you!
Google all medication you take regularly. Some meds have a cough side effect. One of the drugs I take to prevent migraines causes cough.
Hi A.,
I have had a similar condition in the past and went to see my husband's allergist last year (I was new to Sugar Land), and he gave me a combination of things that cleared it up fast, and it hasn't come back since--I was even pregnant at the time and he was able to treat me effectively with medication that was safe for the baby. His name and office address are:
Dr. David Amran
Sugar Land Allergy Center
4820 Sweetwater Blvd.
Sugar Land, TX 77479
###-###-####
I sympathise with your exhaustion--definitely check out this allergist, he was able to help me when I had been to see several other doctors and all the tests etc. like you have done with no results. Good luck and get well soon!
C. G :-)
I think its time for a new doc sounds to me like you doc isn't sure of to much I would get a second opinion.
Okay, I am not a doctor and know nothing about the medical field. But I did some google searches and found a few things you may want to look into.
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
2. Emphysema
3. Lung Cancer
I know the lung cancer one sounds scary, but here is a quote from the page I found this info. "lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Some of the symptoms include chronic cough, coughing up blood, or chest pain. However, patients with only persistent coughing do not always seek medical advice early enough. Even when they do, lung cancer is sometimes misdiagnosed as something less harmful, making lung cancer the 4th most claimed malpractice injury."
I would ask your doctor to test you for lung cancer.
My sincere prayers are with you. I promise this - I am really praying for you and for quick answers and for a quick recovery. Please let us know what you find out.
HUGS!!!!
It sounds like you are going through the same thing a I just got over. Turns out in my case it was Bronchitis. I get it every couple of years. Each time it takes about a month or two to get over. I ended up going to an allergy doctor. He was able to help more than my PCP. I am not sure where you live but this past time I went to Dr. Clarke in Pasadena(TX).
Good Luck!
Well the same goes for me too I live in Baton Rouge LA and I have same cough My doctor tells me its related to Hurricane Katrina and said that I have allgeries and well I have never had allgeries So I don't know I have been taking clariton D but it only helps for a little while Please let me know if you find anything out and what to do to help the issue Thank You very much ..
C.
Have they checked you for asmia?
Sorry about the spelling bronchial asmia.
Dear A.,
That is miserable! I encourage you to try an alternative treatment that has been highly successful for our family. I've listed it under the business reviews as well. It is called "NAET"... It is for permanent elimination of allergies, but also for treating any 'bug' that the body is fighting. It is totally non-invasive (seems weird in fact, as if it wouldn't do a thing). But I'm a believer, after it got rid of my cat allergy. Now, whenever anyone is sick, we go for NAET instead of to the doctor. We never use antibiotics anymore (we hardly ever get sick now, honestly, because NAET has built our immunities up so much). Here is the info:
Dr. Barnett - ###-###-####
Near 290 & Mangum
The only thing is that the initial appt is about $100, but then they're about $40.
Another suggestion is to try acupuncture. We love the results as well, though it takes more 'maintenance' than NAET. There is an acupuncture college clinic in Houston, so the prices are fabulous (about $35, every 4th appt free, I think), and the care is great. Here's that info:
ACAOM Clinic ###-###-####
Inside Beltway 8 - near Westheimer & Jeanetta intersection
I hope you find the help you need! I hope you can get away from the whole antibiotic downward spiral!
Blessings,
R.
