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GERD and chronic cough
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MedHelp Member's Question

GERD and chronic cough

by georgiansc, May 30, 2002 12:00AM
Have had cough since Sept. 2001.  Dr. prescribed antibiotics and allergy medications.  Works for short time but cough returns.  Referred to ENT who examined me for three minutes and diagnosed GERD.  Wants to schedule a 24-hr pH monitoring when his secretary gets off vacation.  Didn't prescribe anything!  Had waited three weeks for appointment now feel frustrated.  Is he really qualified to dx gerd or should I see my gastro. physician?  Why didn't he prescribe something to relieve this cough at least?  Help.  Can't sleep at all and am incontinent during coughing spells.  Very embarrassed and have been made to feel ashamed for asking for cough syrup.
Member Comments (8)

by Lynn28, May 30, 2002 12:00AM
ENT's are very qualified to diagnose GERD. Afterall, ear, nose, throat are there subjects. I'm confused as to why he didn't give you anything....Hmmm  At any rate, perhaps you should make an appt. with your GI and get a second opinion. Also, if you are incontinent during coughing spells, you should see a urologist if you aren't already. Don't be ashamed!!!



Jenn

by georgiansc, May 31, 2002 12:00AM
Since it will probably take a month or two to get an appointment with my GI, what do you suggest I do about this cough?  I wake up all hours of the night and am getting to be a real grouch.  Should I see a GP until my GI appointment?  Is there something wrong with taking codiclear for a few months?  It's the only thing that stops the nighttime hacking.  How can a Uri. help with the wetting when it is caused by the severe coughing.  I am 52 years old and so very tired.

by emotions327, May 31, 2002 12:00AM
hey I am 18 years old and have the same problem as you. Ive had gastric reflux for 10 yrs and just this past year the coughing spells started. Very intense, couldnt sleep in a lot of pain. For about 6 or 7 months the doctors were convinced i had asthma and i was suffering from chronic ashmetic broncitis. I was diagnosed with this about 6 or 7 times each time put on the highest narcotic cough suppresant, the largest dose of albuteral, nebulizer treatments, like 2000 mg of antibiotics a day, and tons of steriods like cortizone all the time. but i never improved so finally the doctors sent me to a specialist who discovered after looking at me and my history for all of five minutes that the coughing was due to my GERD what was happening was I was assperating into my broncial tubes and causing me A Lot of breathing distress so bad that i was wheezing and had to be rushed 911 to the hospital. so its not something you just want to sit around and deal with and ignore its dangerous it couldve easily asperatee into my lungs and given me pnomonia. Im now on Asthmacourt, which is a inhaled steriod which keeps the swelling in my brocial tubes down, that new stoamch med for gerd i cant remember the same rigght now, from the makers of prilosic, oh i got it nexium i think thats it, and im closly monitered by my GI doc and so far i havent had any spells for a good 2 or 3 months.

by Kimmerle, May 31, 2002 12:00AM
I would seek out another Gastro doc if you can't get in to see yours for a few weeks. (An ENT specialist is most definitely not the route to take.) When you call to make an appt, tell them how much pain you're in and how much you cough, and they should be able to "sqeeze" you in.



My GERD went undiagnosed for years because my gyno kept telling me I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (When you're a 35-year-old female doctors tend to ignore you thinking that it's hormonal or something!) Then, when I started having sharp chest pain and frequent coughing episodes,  I finally decided to seek help elsewhere and was diagnosed with a severe case of GERD. And, because I waited so long to get treatment, I have esophagitis, which is no picnic!



So - long story short - GO SEE A GASTRO DOC ASAP!!



Good luck!!!

by georgiansc, May 31, 2002 12:00AM
Called my Gastro physician.  His first appointment isn't until June 25th.  I'll try someone new.  Thanks for the advice.  I feel like crying all the time!

by Lynn28, May 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Georgia
Important thing first. Bladder incontinence is "NOT" normal no matter how much or how hard you cough, laugh, sneeze, etc, etc. Remember that! I know this because I work in this field. You need to make an appt. with a urologist. This is their department.







What is Urinary Incontinence?



It's escape of urine from the bladder without being able to control it. It is NOT normal in any age group older than toddlers, and is usually a symptom of an underlying problem.



How Common is it?



23% of Australians over 10 years of age will have a problem with urinary incontinence. One in two Australians over 75 years of age report urinary incontinence problems. It is more common in women and older people.



Warning Signs of Urinary Incontinence Problems



Leakage or urine regardless of amount, when you cough, sneeze, laugh, stand or walk

An urgent need to pass urine, unable to hold on

Passing small amounts frequently and consistently, over eight times per day in small amounts

Having to get up several times overnight to pass urine

Bed wetting over the age of five years

A sense that the bladder is not empty once urine has been passed

Difficulty in maintaining a steady stream of urine - stops and starts

What Are The Causes?



There are specific types of urinary incontinence with several possible causes. Some people may have more than one type. Types include:



Urge Incontinence

This is the sensation of needing to go to the toilet very quickly with the sudden loss of urine. This urge is due to overactive contractions of the bladder. Common causes of urge incontinence include:



Ageing process - the most common cause of incontinence in older people.

Urinary tract infections

Long history of poor bladder habits

Conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, enlarged prostate

Constipation

Anxiety

the 'urge syndrome' which particularly affects girls of primary school age

Stress Incontinence

This is the leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising.

It is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in women. Common causes include:



Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth.

Hormonal changes which occur with breastfeeding and after menopause.

In men, as a result of prostate surgery.

Overflow Incontinence

This occurs when the bladder is unable to empty completely due to an outlet obstruction or weakened bladder