Chronis coughing and throat closing up

[ditapink]

I have had this for almost a year where I have been coughing almost spasm like and I feel my throat closing up, my lungs hurt, I wake up in a sweat at night.  I have been to the doctor and have done various tests done but it all seems to come out clear.  I am currently on steriods "predisolone".  Can someone please tell me if they have had the same symptoms and suggest what might be causing it?

[ditapink]

Thanks a lot I am soon to go get this test done and fingers crossed hopefully it is infact just an allergy and nothing else.  

[bsmsl]

You may also want to consider a HEPA air system for his bedroom.  Have you put allergy covers on his pillows, mattress and box springs?  It is also recommended the non-washable fabrics (stuffed animals, upholstery, carpets, drapery...) be removed from a dust allergy patients bed room.  It is also advised to keep pets out of the bedroom.  Dust allergies can be hard to control, but these measures (as difficult as they are) really do help.  

I have found that showering before bed every night is very helpful for my allergies.  It keeps me from breathing the pollen that collected in my hair during the day.

You should check

http://www.aaaai.org/physref/   (American Association of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology)

for an allgist that is not only board certified, but has at least one fellowship.  This site did show that my allergist has a fellowship in both AAAAI and ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology).  

Good luck finding effective treatment.

[msdolls]

My son had the skin allergy testing done.  He is highly allergic to dust and dustmites.  We live in Houston, TX. and the pollen and ragweed are also a major problem.  In our house we have the big filters in the attic for the a/c and furnace.  We will have them replaced in the morning to see if this helps.  This is very frustrating when you see this in young people and nobody knows what  to do.  Thanks for repying and I will let you know how it goes.

[bsmsl]

I would recommend that both of you see an allergist and have skin ***** allergy testing done.  Ditapink, if your blood tests included RAST allergy tests you should know that those are very in accurate.  Skin testing is much more reliable.  At the very least this will rule out allergies as a cause, but many of your symptoms could point that direction.  Since you have had so much testing done, that seems like a next step.

msdolls, I would strongly suspect allergies with your son as well because of the eczema link.  Eczema is an allergice reaction.

Both of you should have the testing done to at least rule those out as a cause.

Take care.

[msdolls]

My son has the exact problem and so far nothing shows up.  In his case it begins with a tickle in the throat which throws him into this coughing fit that makes him feel as if he is going to choke.  He has been tested for reflux, ent problems, lung problems, etc.  At the same time he has this condition, his excema flares up and he gets put on prednisone which somewhat helps a little.  I feel for you since this can drive anybody crazy.  It is very frustrating.  If there is a Dr. that has had the ability of solving this problem please speak up.  I've been reading on this website and apparently nobody knows what can cause this in most cases.

[David S. Wilson, MD, FCCP]

This is a concerning problem and could be laryngospasm.  It is most likely caused by gastroesophageal reflux at night and you need to see a pulmonary doctor who can sort this out for you.

[ditapink]

I have had x-rays, cat scans, blood tests they have all come out clear. Have you suffered something similar?

[bsmsl]

Can you be more specific with the tests that have been done?  It sounds a lot like asthma and allergies, but acid reflux would also be a possiblility.

Remember it is the Art of Medicine.  Sometimes getting an accurate diagnosis can take a while and then finding and effective treatment can be allusive for a while as well.