Cough Variant Asthma

[tinab631]

Has anyone ever heard of cough variant asthma? That's what I have. Instead of struggling to breath like most sufferrers, I cough when I have an attack. My doctor said it was asthma brought on from the things that I am allergic too. I'm allergic to mold, dusts, cats, dogs, horses, tomatoes, peanuts, apples and of all things... cock roaches (yuk). I don't have any pet cockroaches but I do have a cat that I had before I found out I had asthma (I should know how to spell it since I have it, but I'm not sure).

Also, sometimes I will just have a bad choking spell that just comes out of the blue. I have to run to the bathroom if this happens at work because people think I am choking to death. And when I try to eat anything dry, I choke easily. I'm hoping to meet someone that has this similar problem. Please reply and let me know what you found has helped you. I can't bare to get rid of my cat. I take shots and that helps a lot. I have this all year round. I get no breaks from it. Thanks

Tina

[Countrymouse]

Hi tina. I cough alot with my asthma too. I don't know if it's the cough variant type though because I also get the shortness of breath and wheezing. My asthma is triggered by my allergies as well. I'm allergic to dogs but have an indoor dog and, like you, I couldn't give her up. I've been lucky that my GP and pulminologist were able to get me on medication that has made it possible for me to tolerate having her inside.

I've had those choking spells before too, not sure what causes them, or what can be done to stop them. Hopefully someone else will have some ideas. Take care.

[siren1024]

My 15 month old son seems to have cough variant asthma. Though he is still too young for an official diagnosis, he has all the signs according to the ped.

His is usually triggered by allergies and worst of all, viral infections. If he gets a little URI, he will cough so much he throws up or turns blue around the mouth and fingers. After he recovers from the coughing spells, (by the time I get him to the doc!!) his oxygen saturation is excellent. Isn't that the way it goes sometimes?? He has never had any type of wheezing or shortness of breath, and most of the time he is just fine and LOUD. He has a great set of lungs.

I would be interested in knowing more about it myself!

[Blondee15]

I have cough variant asthma, it's treated with the same medications as regular asthma, only with lots of cough suppressants(tessalon perles, robutussin w/ codeine, both things I have at any given time at home for coughing), also use a humdifier in the room(helps tremendously). I find albuterol makes things worse but xopenex often does the trick. Really this is all that can be done, control the asthma itself & allergies, & then add cough suppressants. Tessalon perles are nice b/c they are non addicting.

[hoffta]

I find that I begin to cough before I get to the out of breath syndrome..If I use my inhaler than it helps and the coughing stops. I use proventil...also have lots of allergies.