For the past 1-2 years, I have developed a cough every few months, probably due to allergies. When I cough, I may or may not have mucus. It hurts my upper chest and then I taste this horrible taste, like I'm tasting the inside of my bronchial tubes. I sleep on my left side, and as I breathe, I hear this wheezing sound as I breathe out the last of my breath. It sounds like a cat died inside my chest. My regular doctor referred me to my heart doctor for this sound, but I cancelled the appointment at the last minute because all of a sudden the sound (and my cough) was gone. Now the cough and wheeze are back. I have night (and sometimes day) sweats with this cough, as well as a slight fever (sometimes). I am wondering whether this may be asthma or COPD. My doctor usually gives me a round of antibiotics after I have had it for a while. This will cure it--sometimes I have to take another round of antibiotics to get rid of it; but the cough hangs on for up to 6 months (without the wheezing). I have had pneumonia twice. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and fatty liver, and work a full-time day desk-job.
