Cough - 3 weeks+

[desi]

Thank you so much SantiSuk! I'll check it out.

I'm relieved it wasn't Bangkok Hospital (the one I went to last month). It's disconcerting when you realise that you know more than your doctor. Some of the stuff he was spouting was based on old-fashioned beliefs. And to pay for tests under those circumstances was just not on.

[jamie2009]

I had it for five weeks which in turn developed into a head cold, eventually went after various remedies, not sure they did it any good though, don't drink cold drinks as this will just irritate it, hot water is better.

[Wise One]

On one of my trips to Thailand early March I developed a similar cough. Tried all sorts of cough mixtures with no success. Air conditioning in taxis and rooms blowing on my chest caused me to instantly cough incessantly. Cold air the same (when I came back to Australia). More cough mixtures and then antibiotics - useless. Finally had x-ray which showed nothing but the scan showed pneumonia which went away in about a month via antibiotics - Klacid & Augmenten Forte. But the other problem only showed up in blood tests. This was 2 viruses which attacked the respiratory system causing the cough and I have been given 2 inhalers for this + a ventolin puffer. I have had this cough for 4+ months and the lung specialist says this is not unusual for these viruses - enero virus and rhinovirus to hang around for months.

My advice is that you should have blood tests at the very least.

[atyclb]

Taking a short course of antibiotics such as Zithromax can't hurt you, so I'd suggest giving it a try. I had something similar, several years ago that caused my throat to close up and I almost suffocated several times. Went to Bumrungrad, got admitted for having pneumonia, got lots of antibiotics (don't know which), and 15 days later was released and the problem was gone. Not exactly sure why still, but the IV antibiotics killed off every nasty thing I had. Left me a bit susceptible to other contagious things as my resistance was lowered. I'm still cautious around people and avoid contact with anyone that coughs! Good luck my friend.

15 days admission for pnuemonia seems a rather long time. did you have other medical conditions or complications? or perhaps just good insurance ?

[akentryan]

My Thai wife had a nagging cough for abiout 3 weeks. Went to a pharmacy and got meds and took them. Made no difference. Starting running high blood pressure so after three days I convinced her to go to the hospital. Scan showed a spot on her lungs so she was admitted on Dec 24. On Jan 2 she passed away from lung cancer that had metastacised into her brain. GO GET CHECKED IMMEDIATELY

[JohnnyHK]

After coughing pretty bad for a couple of days and taking DayQuil, nightquil, vitamin c, echinachia, and zinc a friend gave me a hint.

Drink Boiled Ginger water and eat Ginger from time to time?!?! I never gave much credit to Eastern herbs and doctors but this really helps, hope it works for you.

[atyclb]

Many reasonable ideas posted. Another thing the op might try is an asthma inhaler (albuterol) especially at night. bronchospasm can cause coughing and you dont need to be asthmatic to get it. in addition asthma (RAD reactive airway disease) is said to be the most common cause of coughing. unless the op actually checks his temperature he cannot know if fever is present or not. too many people use intuition or touching their forehead to detect fever. codeine is probably the best anti-cough medicine generally available but can leave you sleepy the next day and also cause constipation. a very good cough drug called "tessalon perles" may not be available in thailand.

standard of care for 3 weeks cough #look at throat, c&s, #CXR #symptomatic RX and perhaps #antibiotic trial #bloodwork?

[mommysboy]

OPs problem originates from the nasal area. To think it is lung cancer is alarmist to say the least.

OP, if you are sure there is no environmental trigger such as air pollution then the most likely cause is a viral infection such as a cold that has turned in to a bacterial infection. The symptoms are worsened by not resting up possibly. When sick, we simply can't carry on at the same pace. I would hazard a guess that you are mildly allergic to something but have been unaware of it until now.

[newnative]

try taking a zyrtec pill before you go to sleep. about 2 or 3 times a year I get these coughing spells, too. they usually take about 3 weeks to finally go away. worse at night. taking a zyrtec seems to help me.

[Gandtee]

I and my grandson are just getting over colds which included sore throats and coughing. He took medicine provided by the local International chemists. I took no medicine as usual. As I keep trying to explain to my wife, if you take medicine the cold will be gone in a fortnight, if you don't, it will be gone in two weeks. But one thing which stopped the coughing at night was an old remedy. Approx three/four table spoons lemon/lime juice- if you have neither then use vinegar as I do, a good slug of honey and then hot water. I hope you get well soon and get a nights sleep.

[shaurene]

No difficulty breathing as such, although if I take a deep breath it will often cause me to cough (only during the past 3 weeks though, previously I've never had problems).

And no the doctor didn't do an X-ray or take any samples, we actually mainly went to see him as our son (3 1/2 months) has a cough now as well, which we assume he got from me (although his sounds like he's got phlegm in his throat as well, and more of a "normal" cold as he sometimes sneezes as well, despite not having a runny nose).

Edit: Oh and I still cough during the day, I just usually only get the "fits" at night (usually starts when I'm lying down) and when I brush my teeth.

You need X-ray, you could have bronchitis I have just gotten over it had for 4 weeks. Go pharmacy get 500-625 mg Augmenting take 3 times a day if you can only get 1,000mg take every 12 hrs. This is the very best antibiotic. Best of luck.

[jamie2009]

Antibiotics only work on a bacterial infection, for viral infections medications might ease the problem but they clear up eventually, the climate here will not help.

[flyingdoc]

If it persists you must get an X-ray. After that I suggest taking Beta Glucan min. 400 mg, to raise your immune levels , and you should avoid many similar problems in future.

Edited July 9, 2015 by flyingdoc

[mick01827]

I have post nasal drip as referred to by another poster which caused a continuous niggling cough, I was given Nasonex, a steroid nasal spray which did the trick although it's around 1000 baht in Thailand, I was also diagnosed with asthma for which I use two inhalers, this was 2 years ago at the age of 42.

[HerbalEd]

Re. "I'm not sure if what I'm currently going through is "normal" or something to be legitimately worried about."

So you know: It's not normal and yes, you should be worried. Stop messing around and go see a real doctor who'll do a full lab work up on your blood, etc. and who'll take x-rays or the like.

[BlackJack]

load up on ZINC

NZ Uni did tests and confirmed it

[Gandtee]

As my old Mum used to say, 'It's not the cough that carries you off. It's the coffin they carry you off in'! Go see the Doctor.

[Sheryl]

There is indeed something going around that involves a very prolonged cough and little else. Lasts for as much as months and seems to resolve eventually on its own. Probably viral though bactrial superinfection can occur.

Could be that, or could also be allergy/post-nasal drip.

I do not recommend self-treating with antibiotics. In the absence of fever or trouble breathing (other than in the course of a prolonged coughing fit, where it is to be expected), an otherwise healthy adult will not likely come to any harm trying antihistamine, cough suppressent, zinc supplement, ginger tea -- all IMO good ideas and may work But I wouldn't take it further than that on one's own. If it does not respond to the measures just mentioned, or if fever or any trouble breathing develop (or if there starts to be other than clear colored phlegm) then a work-up including a CBC (blood count) and chest Xray would be wise.

[SantiSuk]

Thank you so much SantiSuk! I'll check it out.

I'm relieved it wasn't Bangkok Hospital (the one I went to last month). It's disconcerting when you realise that you know more than your doctor. Some of the stuff he was spouting was based on old-fashioned beliefs. And to pay for tests under those circumstances was just not on.

Yes - I went to Bumrungrad in Bangkok a few months ago to get a CT scan to send back to my consultants in the UK. I could not understand why the pulmonology clinic made me wait 4 hours beyond the pre-booked appointment time. A different-than-booked pulmonology consultant showed up and made it clear he was quite senior and had asked to consult for me when their team had been reviewing the appointments book. It might have been BS, but he did seem very enthusiastic and claimed to have studied my condition (lung lymphoma) when he was an intern in the US. He was a nice guy and knew a lot about lungs and seemed to be prepared to give me a lot of time for a reasonable cost (2 hours over 2 days! Billed about 1,000 baht for his time). But it soon became apparent to me that if he had learned anything at all about my particular condition he had forgotten it already! I knew 10 times more than him. I eventually got the CT scan I had come for, having been far too kind in letting him 'play doctors with me' over two appointments

As you might have detected from my prior posting about Sripat Hospital, the specialist I saw there was good - in fact the best pulmonologist I've come across (and I've come across many in the UK, Bangkok, CM and Ubon over 3 years) and on a par with those who finally accurately diagnosed and successfully treated me at Papworth Hospital/Addenbrokes in Cambridge England, which has a worldwide best-in-class cardiology-pulmonology set-up.

[That said lung lymphoma is an uncommon condition, I would not diss Bumrungrad out of hand and have had impressive service for myself and my wife there in the past]

[how241]

My guess remains post nasal drip due to allergy in turning making your throat raw and irritated which triggers cough. Just a guess of course but with no fever or other symptomd and a nonproductive cough it seems likely. Could try loratadine or zyrtec daily (antihistsmines) plus cough supressent at night. The one sold at 7-11 in green box with red tiger on it.

If this does not help then doctor and xray.

I think this is the correct answer. I had similar problems and antihistamines seem to stop it.

Edited July 9, 2015 by how241

[mommysboy]

There is indeed something going around that involves a very prolonged cough and little else. Lasts for as much as months and seems to resolve eventually on its own. Probably viral though bactrial superinfection can occur.

Could be that, or could also be allergy/post-nasal drip.

I do not recommend self-treating with antibiotics. In the absence of fever or trouble breathing (other than in the course of a prolonged coughing fit, where it is to be expected), an otherwise healthy adult will not likely come to any harm trying antihistamine, cough suppressent, zinc supplement, ginger tea -- all IMO good ideas and may work But I wouldn't take it further than that on one's own. If it does not respond to the measures just mentioned, or if fever or any trouble breathing develop (or if there starts to be other than clear colored phlegm) then a work-up including a CBC (blood count) and chest Xray would be wise.

Yes, exactly, spot on, excellent posting.

This happened to me exactly as described, and because I tend towards non alergic rhinitis (post nasal drip) I can end up in much the same position as OP.

I eventually went to the hospital, as one evening I had the gruelling experience OP describes.

After the examination, I had a chest xray and blood check, and was given the all clear. No antibiotics prescribed, but given medicine for inflamed nasal passages, and sinus pain.

Personally I have noticed 3 things that cause me prolonged problems:

1. Prior infection with a cold, etc.

2. Exposure to traffic pollution.

3. Very hot, dry weather conditions.

And that when my nose is really irritated, things that don't usually cause me problems start making me sneeze, eg, cooking fumes, and house dust.

Anti-allergy medicine simply doesn't cut imo. And decongestants can cause their own issues.

The most important things are:

1. Staying indoors, in a clean house, probably using light air conditioning.

2. Resting much longer than usual.

3. Nasal rinsing, small ice compress over sinus cavities, long showers with water playing over head, with chin tucked right down.

4. Non steroidal nasal spray,eg, Beconase.

5. Exercise with toe touches if you can stand it.

The knock out headache OP describes could be a simple migraine, triggered by the sinus pain, and possible exhaustion.

[SlyAnimal]

Ok I'm going to go and see my doctor again tonight and see if he can do a blood test / X-ray at his clinic (or whether I need to goto the public hospital).

When I mentioned whooping cough to him over the phone, he said it's unlikely because of child vaccinations, but as I'm "whooping" when I have coughing fits (I found a sound byte of it, and it sounds the same as me), I am really concerned (and I assume blood samples/X-Rays should identify the problem even if it's not whooping cough).

And identifying what I have, should also shed more light on what my son has (our doctor thought it's just a common cold, but he threw up from coughing last night, which has me terrified, as he also has coughing fits without really waking up while sleeping, imagine if he vomited in his sleep without my wife or I waking up...).

[mommysboy]

Ok I'm going to go and see my doctor again tonight and see if he can do a blood test / X-ray at his clinic (or whether I need to goto the public hospital).

When I mentioned whooping cough to him over the phone, he said it's unlikely because of child vaccinations, but as I'm "whooping" when I have coughing fits (I found a sound byte of it, and it sounds the same as me), I am really concerned (and I assume blood samples/X-Rays should identify the problem even if it's not whooping cough).

And identifying what I have, should also shed more light on what my son has (our doctor thought it's just a common cold, but he threw up from coughing last night, which has me terrified, as he also has coughing fits without really waking up while sleeping, imagine if he vomited in his sleep without my wife or I waking up...).

Good idea. The xray is just standard procedure in Thailand, not done with any expectation of confirming anything so don't be concerned.

I also make that whooping sound, when I have the same symptoms as you, and like your son sometimes I puke up. But it is invariably diagnosed as non allergic rhinitis. The coughing fits are excruciating.

Sounds like you are really up against it at the moment.

Are you sure there is no environmental factor also contributing? for instance if you stayed in the house a few days do you think symptoms would ease or worsen?

Maybe a simple allergy test is a way to go, it's quick and simple.

[Fullstop]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839108-thailand-ranks-the-worlds-no-18-for-high-incidence-of-tb-infection/?utm_source=newsletter-20150709-0730&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

[Jonmarleesco]

Get to the doctor. It might very well be sinusitis, but it could also be indicative of something more serious - and possibly infectious.

[Jonmarleesco]

Ok I'm going to go and see my doctor again tonight and see if he can do a blood test / X-ray at his clinic (or whether I need to goto the public hospital).

When I mentioned whooping cough to him over the phone, he said it's unlikely because of child vaccinations, but as I'm "whooping" when I have coughing fits (I found a sound byte of it, and it sounds the same as me), I am really concerned (and I assume blood samples/X-Rays should identify the problem even if it's not whooping cough).

And identifying what I have, should also shed more light on what my son has (our doctor thought it's just a common cold, but he threw up from coughing last night, which has me terrified, as he also has coughing fits without really waking up while sleeping, imagine if he vomited in his sleep without my wife or I waking up...).

Your son's issue could - and I emphasise could - be croup.

[mommysboy]

OP, you wrote this, and regardless of whether you currently have a bug or not, allergic reaction must play some part:

"(Although I spent 9 months in BKK last year & we knocked down the old house & built a new one, which we moved into in March this year), and haven't had any problems until about 3 weeks ago. Our neighbours moved out about 6+ months ago, so there shouldn't be any new trees/flowers etc planted next door.

Although I did used to have allergies when I was younger (Maybe even still do), well sorta allergies, I ended up putting it down to my nose being sensitive to changes in the temperature (Or to the cold, or air pressure, I dunno, I didn't have problems going up mountains but likewise don't have problems going in/out of airconditioned rooms etc), as when I was growing up on our farm in NZ, I'd often be constantly sneezing in the mornings (Usually the colder ones when we'd get a frost, & never at night), but then would be fine by around 9am. When I moved to the city at 13, I had this happen only rarely"

It sounds like hay fever, extreme climate issues, and possibly toxins coming out of the new building could at least be a factor.

[SlyAnimal]

Yeah I previously got bad hayfever/allergies, although that was always sneezing not coughing.

I can't recall experiencing any sneezing similar to when I was a kid, or coughing similar to what I have now, in the 5 years since I moved to Thailand though.

At the moment I have been living in the same house for 4 months, yet problems didn't start until 3-4 weeks ago (And prior to building this house, I lived on the same section for 3 years), which is why I'm a little skeptical about it being allergies. Particularly as my son & wife are now also coughing, which could just be a coincidence, but I'm leaning more towards me having infected them (And I started coughing 3 weeks before them, so doubt it's a common environmental factor that's causing an allergy for them).

And no I doubt it'd change simply by moving rooms/house. I get the coughing fits even while lying down on the couch (I read that getting more coughing at night can be caused by the effect of gravity when lying down), and I'm frequently coughing while I'm at work (I hope it's not easily passed on, as I've likely exposed around 200+ high school kids to it over the past 3 weeks).

But hopefully the doctor can test my blood and/or X-ray me for some answers.

[mommysboy]

Yeah I previously got bad hayfever/allergies, although that was always sneezing not coughing.

I can't recall experiencing any sneezing similar to when I was a kid, or coughing similar to what I have now, in the 5 years since I moved to Thailand though.

At the moment I have been living in the same house for 4 months, yet problems didn't start until 3-4 weeks ago (And prior to building this house, I lived on the same section for 3 years), which is why I'm a little skeptical about it being allergies. Particularly as my son & wife are now also coughing, which could just be a coincidence, but I'm leaning more towards me having infected them (And I started coughing 3 weeks before them, so doubt it's a common environmental factor that's causing an allergy for them).

And no I doubt it'd change simply by moving rooms/house. I get the coughing fits even while lying down on the couch (I read that getting more coughing at night can be caused by the effect of gravity when lying down), and I'm frequently coughing while I'm at work (I hope it's not easily passed on, as I've likely exposed around 200+ high school kids to it over the past 3 weeks).

But hopefully the doctor can test my blood and/or X-ray me for some answers.

Yes it does sound like some primary infectious cause like the bad virus that has been doing the rounds, then I imagine your symptoms have been worsened by a few mild allergies. My antennae still twitching about the new house though, I take your point about the time lag, but it is the one thing that has changed in your life, and for sure the place would be teeming with chemicals I would have thought. My nose starts twitching when I walk in to newly decorated rooms.

Anyway, good luck tonight, for you and your family. Keep posting.

[SlyAnimal]

Oh new as in it was actually finished about 18 months ago, but after our wedding, my wife and I only stayed there for around 2 months before moving to Bangkok (As I wanted to do some study before we got tied down with kids etc). We then moved back into the house in March in this year, just before our son was born.