Chronic cough...anyone else have it?

[fenway1971]

In the last few years - coincident with crohns diagnosis, I get this horrible cough. I've been to ENT's, pulmonologists, etc and nobody can pinpoint cause or figure out how to treat it. Over time, it goes away only to resurface months later.

Could it be related to Crohns?

 

[jed]

no idea.

all i kow is, that since i've had symptoms of Crohns, i have never had a single other thing wrong with me.

not a sniffle or cough.

lets us know if they come up with anything.

 

[mommy1st]

I always have a chronic cough for some reason whenever I flare. My family always knows when I'm flaring because I get this awful dry cough. Then when I'm feeling better it just goes away. I don't know what to make of it, it just always happens.

 

[butt-eze]

I developed a cough because of Crohn's. According to my GI doctor my Crohn's targeted my lungs and caused BOOP(broncial obliterans organizing pneumonia). Many of you have heard me mention this. My cough was a dry, unproductive cough. I was short of breath and had a low grade fever.

I'm glad to hear that the doctors have cleared you of anything. I suppose if it's just a nuissance then it's ok.

Hope it goes away!

Amy

 

[saidinstouch]

There was a study in the last couple years that stated a lot of patients with IBD end up with respiratory symptoms. My doctor found the study because I was consistently having a cough that didn't respond to any form of normal treatment. I found the cough tends to coincide with the worst of my flares and that when the flares subside it goes away for me. Normal things like lozenges and cough medication help the irritation for the worst of it, but don't truly fix the problem. The best treatment was honestly when I started prednisone the first time. The cough was gone within a day or two in time for the remaining symptoms to start . So don't worry too much abuot the cough, just take normal actions and drink lots of tea and what not to help keep your throat from getting sore and irritated.

 

[fenway1971]

Thanks, all. It always coincides with flareups for me too. I thought it might be related to reflux (which I also have) but i've maintained same med regimen for that.

Visiting GI in two weeks to start steroid treatment. Yay.

 

[GregD]

If you are on immuno-modulators or immuno-suppressants, your body's ability to fight off infections could be weakened. It could be some type of bronchial infection.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Strangely, I don't notice it so much, but my mom mentions it "You have that cough again" and I'm usually not feeling the best, bellywise, when she says that. Not necessarily during a big flare, but having some symptoms. Mine is just a small tickle, not productive, and not too bothersome. I hardly notice it, but she does. Every time. Just like a mom.

 

[Colt]

It could also be something as simple as an ulcer in your throat. Remember your respiratory and digestive tracts merge there.

 

[fenway1971]

Not likely an ulcer because it's not painful. Just an annoying tickle. The tickle is constant - like an itch that won't go away. If only I could jam a finger down there in scratch it. . .