severe cough for a year. been on high predisone for a year and nothing. doctors say they do not have any idea

Question

coughs so hard for long periods ata time and has seen a lung specialist and no one has an answer. cannot work and gets tired and has trouble breathing. please help

Answer 1

Prednisone is the choice for lung inflammation. It's usually given to smokers. Unfortunately the problem with prednisone is huge weight gain.

A severe cough does not happen by itself. I strongly urge you to find a doctor who will not stop until they find the reason for it.

Why?

I had throat cancer for a year, was seeing my doctor regularly for something else and he never once checked to see why I was coughing and choking. Finally I went to another doctor to find out I had stage 3 cancer (stage 4 is fatal).

Get another doctor.

Answer 2

I would suggest seeing the Allergy/Asthma specialist as was already recommended but, if that doesn't provide any answers, schedule an appointment with a Pulmonologist at a hospital that specializes in lung transplants. There are many respiratory conditions that are difficult to diagnose and may not be known by someone outside of a facility that specializes in lung transplants. You can pretty well guarantee the transplant docs have seen it all and they can confer with your Pulmonologist. Don't give up - keep asking questions and demanding answers. I'm on Prednisone as well, due to a bi-lateral lung transplant as a result of Cystic Fibrosis, and it has some other nasty side effects besides the weight gain previously mentioned: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and bone density loss/osteoporosis to name a few.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

This person should see a lung specialist, preferably at a hospital like Mt Sinai or Columbia Presbyterian in NYC, Mayo Clinic, Yale Medical, Denver Jewish. It isn't good to be on high doses of Prednisone for a long time - it thins the skin, makes blood vessels fragile, causes weight gain and distended abdomen, cataracts, moon face, body puffiness, accelerates aging. Prednisone is a very powerful anti-inflammatory, but it often does not alleviate breathing problems. Don't know if this person is/was a smoker. If the cough is loose and samples can be expelled, cultures can be done to see if anything grows, such as fungus, TB, other infections. Blood tests also can detect infections. A Bronchoscope can be done to clean out lung debris, obtain various samples of tissue, phelgm, and a bronchial wash can be tested for malignant cells, other diseases. This person should act now, or someone on his/her behalf. Don't wait!

Answer 4

You NEED to go see an ASTHMA - Allergy specialist. I have been where you are and my specialist has saved my life and educated me a great deal. Don't give up hope, go see the Asthma doctor. You may have allergic asthma and need some better inhalers. Get some blood work done on your lungs if they have not done that yet also. I remember coughing for almost 18 months and taking all types of medicine. Make sure the doctor specializes in ASTHMA and not just allergies. Good Luck and make it a priority to get another opinion.

Answer 5

I take steroids once or twice a year for my hand eczema. You should NOT be on steroids (I take the same kind as you) for this long of a period. When something is wrong, do not take "I don't know" as an answer. Your body is telling you something is wrong and go to anyone and everyone you can, 2nd and 3rd, even 4th and 5th opinions. Tell them you KNOW something is wrong. You know your body best. I used to have faith in doctors but as I have gotten older, I've realized that they really can be dumb and passive at times.

Keep looking for answers. Good luck.

Answer 6

Why would a doctor have you on that strong of a steroid for such a long period of time. Did you try a simple allergy relief medicine or some jogging to strengthen your lungs?

Answer 7

I had a cough for eight months so severe that I actually fractured two ribs in my back from it . After lung and throat speciallist it was diagnosed as " Whooping Cough" and eventually cleared.

Answer 8

You could have a something severe like lung cancer. Go to a speacialest. Docotrs dont help these day so you kind of have to get mad at them anf force them to give you something. Ask for a test like a chest x-ray, ct scan, something that inclused breathing.

Answer 9

Cough is caused by a number of ailments.
It can be treated by over the counter medicines
or home remedies. More information available
at http://ailments.in/cough.html