Gerty, I have had a cough for almost 18 months on and off. It feels like you have phelgm to bring up, but it wont come. I haven't been finally diagnosed yet, but it appears I have COPD. Check out these websites and see if you have the same symptoms. A lot of tests are required to determine the correct diagnosis. I'm not a smoker so I think mine is bronchitis related.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/tc/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-overview

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Lung_conditions_obstructive_pulmonary_disease

You should see a Doctor. If it is COPD, you'll be given an inhaler to use daily, and I hate to tell you this, but you'll use it for the rest of your life. It is not contagious.  Antibiotics are only taken when the cough worsens. Seek medical attention is my recommendation.

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 01:21:46 PM

I remember you having that cough while you were here in Brissy GD, and I know how you and BG feel.

I always have a cough, but mine's Asthma related, and I DO cough up phlem a lot, which is embarrassing. I remember my Asthmatic Mum being the same.

It's not too bad now that I'm on another round of Prednisone for the UC. I saw a sign on the wall at the hospital about COPD. Mine could be that I guess, but I've been tested for all Asthma/breathing related things.

Pejay wrote:

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Like you Beth, I too cough up a lot of phlegm, got fed up with it and have an appointment with the ENT Specialist in the New Year. My mother had a 'funny throat' for many years (asthma in the family) and my father had been diagnosed with COPD. Actually looking forward to finding an answer to what causes it, tired of 'band-aid' remedies from the GP.

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 With all my other issues, it's not exactly top of my list to investigate. I don't use any treatment other than the Asthma preventer. Sometimes during the night it may become a bit more of an Asthmatic cough, so I'll use the Ventolin but not often. Annoyingly, it does get worse if I've been in the cool evening air, as in campfire sitting.  

What I suggest you do, particularly Gerty, Beth54 and Pejay is go to your GP and ask for a referral to a Respiratory Specialist. These guys specialize in breathing problems, lungs etc. To determine if you COPD, you need a Lung Function test, a chest x-ray and possibly a CT scan and other minor tests.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/lft/

If you have the symptoms outlined in the links in my earlier posting, there is a possibility you have COPD. This medical problem can be caused from asthma, bronchitis or emphysema or a combination of all three.

If you are diagnosed with this problem, you will be given appropriate medication, an exercise program and a proper diet for weight loss

Anyhow from one who is looking like a COPD sufferer, that is my recommendation.

The Chinese call whooping cough the cough of 100 days.  Hubby had a cough, went to doc - usual antibiotics and he did do a swab test.  Found out 4 months later that yes, he had had whooping cough.  No notification at the time though.

Anyway, we were leaving for Adelaide and we said that if it was the cough of 100 days then it should be gone by Adelaide, and it was. 

He should have been notified by the doc  for the safety of others, I believe.

OMG! I never thought of Whooping Cough!! Did a bit of research, and yes it could be, and if so I'm grateful I'm not very sick, as I've seen how bad it is for little kids. A swab test was done about a month ago, but I don't know what she tested for. Hmmm. Hope this new doctor will listen, got appointment Tuesday.

I'm also very grateful I didn't go near the hospital to visit my premmie twin-baby grandchildren, back when I first got it.

I've had all those tests this year BG, and been to the Respiratory Depts at two hospitals in the past. Between the Gastroenterologist and the Cardiologist, I feel like they've covered every possible disease possible.

But none have actually mentioned COPD, even though there was a sign on the wall at one clinic. I'll bring it up at my next appt.

Rip and Rosie wrote:

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The other thing to consider, not always thought of by GPs in the first instance is medication side effects..........lots of blood pressure and cardiac drig have a cough as a side effect.

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 I had mine before the heart problems Rosie, but a good point. Mine also gets worse when my iron levels are down. I think it's because I'm not getting enough oxygen into the system.

No Rosie... never knowingly. The second GP assured me I was not infectious after saying the swab-test was "clear".

Assuming it really is whooping cough   Here is a sample of the info I found via Google....

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Whooping_cough

"The Bordetella pertussis bacterium is spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract (when the infected person coughs or sneezes) and is highly infectious. The time from infection to appearance of symptoms (incubation period) is between six and 20 days.

A person is infectious for the first 21 days of their cough or until they have had five days of a 10-day course of antibiotics. "

And...

http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/pertussis_whooping_cough.html

"When and for how long is a person able to spread Pertussis?

A person can transmit pertussis from seven days following exposure to an infected person, to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. Pertussis is only contagious for 5-7 days if antibiotic therapy is begun."

(The antibiotics I had were the same as would be prescribed for Whooping Cough, and I've had the cough 10 weeks)

New Dr seems nice... but the air-con in the surgery set me coughing worse than ever!!   

No closer to a diagnosis, might be an allergy, might be reflux, might be sinus, unlikely to be whooping cough he said. More blood tests, (anti-bodies?) and a couple different pills and nasal spray to try.

Just something to consider....

I had a bad cough for about 3 months with doctor prescribing antibiotics and then inhaler. Finally saw different doc in the same practice who checked my records and said "Oh that'll be a side effect of the Coversyl" (blood pressure medication). Changed medication and cough disappeared!  Seems a persistent cough is a side effect with a lot of these drugs, and you can check this with the pharmaceutical company's website, as not all doctors seem to be aware of it.

PS

Just noticed Rosie already mentioned this possibility, and I've had first hand experience of it