Nagging cough!!

Hi there.... just wondering if anyone else has had this ongoing nagging cough that won't go away. I got a cold the weekend of Easter. Typical cold. I had it a week and I did what I was supposed to do, after a week of still having it, I went to the doc and got on the antibiotic since I am on the immunosupressent. Well, the cough never went away. Two weeks ago, I went in because I couldn't sleep because the cough was driving me crazy at night. I just wanted the cough syrup with codein. Other than that, I felt fine. A tad of congestion. The coughing is nonproductive too. She gave me the cough medicine and told me then if I am not better in 2 weeks to go see a pulmonologist. Well, the cough is still there. Not bad and I feel fine. I just have this nagging cough that won't go away. I keep hearing from a lot of people that this cold does this and the cough hangs on. So question is, am I wasting my time going to see a pulmonologist at this point? Is this just one of those colds that does this? Anyone else have this going on? I mean if it was something else going on, wouldn't I have some other symptoms going on and feel bad? I feel fine. It's so hard for me because I was always raised to toughen up and not go to the doc unless I had to but I know with this disease you can't really be that way. UGh! So not how I was raised. LOL!! Against the grain!!! Tell me your thoughts!!

Monica

Hi Monica,

Mmmmm.........tough one ! I would get in touch with your Rheumy first and foremost. Last year when I was on mtx I had an ongoing cough, when I queried my GP about it he told me that mtx can cause a cough, so that could be your answer, same scenario as you I started with a cold that developed a cough and I never got rid of it until I went off the mtx! Your Rheumy is probably the better one to advise whether or not you need the Pulmonologist. I too was raised to be tough as far as illness goes, but learnt a hard lesson last year when I ended up in Hospital, now I figure it's better to be safe than sorry and I soooo hate hospital!!!!!

Please keep me informed.

Take Care
Love and Hugs
xxxMaz

Thanks Maz, I have an appt with my rheumy next week so maybe I'll hold off until then and see what he has to say. Hadn't even thought about that. I'll keep you posted.

Monica

Maz's advice is great! I would do the same thing. I had a nagging, dry cough that lasted for over a year. My GP finally sent me to a pulmonolist and I was diagnosed with asthma...but I wasn't on Mtx at that time and it didn't start out as a regular cold.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

Hugs,
Beth

Are you on any new blood pressure meds? Sometimes, some of them can cause an irritating cough. Maybe something to think about.....

Keep us posted....

Thanks for the advice! It is slightly better actually but hasn't gone away. It isn't keeping me up at night anymore. And I always feel like I need to clear my throat but it doesn't really clear. My appt is on Tuesday with rhuemy so we'll see what he has to say. Man Beth, I don't think I could last a year!! You're a trooper!!! But like I said, I feel fine, just more annoying than anything.

Monica