Coughing & Crohns

[cudzinka]

Hi All

I am a newbie to this Forum, I was Diagnosed with Crohns in December 2008, since then I have been on Pentasa since then taking 4 a day. Recently my symptons flared and I've been taking 8 Pentasa a day, which my Specialist has said I have to try for a month. If it does not get to better I might be on stereoids soon. I'm still having cramps, and heartburn, so I'm taking Omeprazole, too.
But what I want to ask is, that everytime when my Crohns flares I get a cough. I forgot to ask my doctor, so I thought that I would ask the Forum! Does anyone? have the same? Cough medicine doesn't help. This is second time when I have had it. Before my GP prescribed me antibiotics, but it was before I was diognosed with Crohns. He thought it was chest infection. I'm not sure whether this cough corespondends with Crohns or not, but it always starts only when my symptons flare. Cough gets worse while I'm moving, while I'm sitting is not a problem. Does anyone have the same experience please let me know!

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Hello cudzinka,

As you can well appreciate, nobody here is really in a position to diagnose. I've had esophageal problems like yourself (although they didn't manifest themselves in coughing). For me, it's just a constant chest pressure. I take Prevacid, which is a proton pump inhibitor similar to Omeprazole.

Are there any other external factors (like smoking)?

I'd run the problem by the doctor if I were you. Good luck and please let us know how it turns out.

 

[kello82]

hmm ive never really had a cough that seemed to correspond with my flaring. though colds and viruses DO tend to hang on for a long time to me, ill have a cold and the cough will stick with me for months even after the other symptoms are gone. whether this is the crohns that makes viruses hit me harder than your average joe or if its the meds we get put on, im not sure.
have you had a chest xray or anything of the sort to make sure that your chest isnt infected? might be a good idea.
definitly mention it to your doc, as gojohnny said.

hmm another thought here....
you said that you suffer from heartburn as one of your symptoms. has anyone ever looked down you esophagus? that might be a good idea.
im just wondering if inflammation in your esophagus can press on your windpipe (since it is rather cramped quarters in ones throat) and that causes you to cough?
ive never heard of anything like this....just thinking out of the blue here, but i do feel that that would be a solid explanation for why that cough gets worse when you inflammation flares. make sense?

talk this all out with your doc. good luck!

 

[kasper87]

Im going to recommend something that you may want to try and it works for me..

Im not saying you have allergies because i DONT as well.
BUT, try childrens liquid benadryl.. it really helps me.. it doesnt make me drowsy because im used to everything.. but it helps the itchy throat and cough.

 

[fenway1971]

coughs could be tied to GERD (ie acid reflux). you should talk to your GI.