Chronic Cough

[livingwith]

In my teens I developed a chronic cough when running outdoors, especially in foggy weather. Cold damp air seemed to take my breath away.
In my thirties I developed a chronic cough that was related to stress factors. In fact when the stress was removed the cough stopped overnight.
I am 59 now and I have been suffering from a chronic cough for the last 10 years or so. It is embarrassing because I can cough out of control for no apparent reason. When I cough too hard it stings inside of me.
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[gia]

I'm 53 year old female who's had cough for 10 years on and off. Ear, nose and throat doc was first stop about 8 years ago. Given nose spray which worked for a while, then stopped working. Given protonix for GERD and that worked well for quite a while, hasn't worked recently. Also had full workup with gastroenterologist. Took allergy shots for 3 years which worked well and noticeable improvement on cough. Stopped shots with the ok from doc. Cough came back. Chlortrimeton antihistamine worked well for a while, then stopped working. Went to asthma doc, couldn't definitively say whether asthma or not, wanted to do methocholine challenge test and restart allergy shots. I was afraid to do challenge when presented with the possible side effects of test, including heart attack and death. Did start allergy shots again. Were not as effective as in the past and had to skip shot sessions due to cough. Was given advair but made me cough as well. Was given new nose sprays, don't work. Went to pulmonologist last month, he prescribed nose spray, nasal wash, mucinex, none of which had effect. Did sinus CT scan and chest CT scan. Found nodules on chest scan which he now wants to follow with CT scans periodically. I'm worried that I have lung cancer but I think I'd have been dead by now after coughing for 10 years. Also wants to do methocholine challenge and more lung function tests. Prescribed higher dose advair which isn't working and sometimes aggravates cough. Sent me to new ear, nose and throat doc who prescribed more nose spray and gave me ultram for cough. Next step now is methocholine challenge. I have been taking benedryl every day and Robitussin, and the ultram helps somewhat although not completely. I take over the counter antihistamines each day, mucinex DM, Robitussin, protonix, nasal sprays and sometimes the Ultram. Some days don't cough but majority of days I do. My coworkers are used to the horrible sound but my new boss said it was the worst thing he ever heard. My family has been used to it for years but still alarms them when I cough. Humidifier in bedroom at night keeps it away while sleeping (but i can't be sure). One thing about climate- I live in Colorado and cough started 2 or 3 years after moving here. 2 years ago went to Florida for a few days and didn't cough at all. Last year went to Hawaii and no cough.