Hi Adam
Sorry to hear about your struggle. I have not had a chronic cough, but had chronic problems with my voice and throat, and I do cough more than I used to as a result. You can look at my other posts if you want to read more about my story.
When my problem first started I was certain it was Reflux from everything I read. Everything you read online to do with chronic coughs and sore throats says its reflux. In fact it seems that Reflux gets blamed for a whole plethora of problems. Needless to say I got obsessed as is my nature. I started doing everything 'right'. I ate small amounts and chewed until everything was liquified, I raised the head of my bed, took gaviscon, I chewed gum, avoided acidy foods. Nothing changed.
When I got back home I emailed a leading professor of reflux related problems, and explained my problem. He said he was certain it was reflux, no doubt whatsover! He explained what he would prescribe...basically a huge amount of drugs! All the different acid reflux medicine you can get. I was very against this idea.
Fast forward a few months. I saw 3 ENT doctors in the end and multiple other specialists, I also did few Peptests which you can order online. I had 3 endoscopies, and they said they could see no sign of reflux. I was still worried it might be Reflux, so I tried various diets, one was called Dropping Acid, did nothing. The other was called the Fast Tract Diet, which I agreed with the theory and if you have a real reflux problem, then maybe try this, but it did nothing.
I eventually accepted I did not have reflux after seeing another ENT doctor. The most relief I got from my symptoms was from reading Sarnos books, but the symptoms still persist and progress is slow as I am a stubborn person, obsessive and stuck in my head! It's hard for me to not doubt!
My advice to you would be to get an Endoscopy, to see if anything is wrong. If they say there is not believe them! If they say it is reflux, I would get more tests before taking the drugs. There are many tests for reflux, some of them very accurate and able to test for the vapours in the throat, which they call Silent Reflux or LPR. If you have some physical problem that was causing reflux then maybe you would need drugs or an operation, but it is rare. Often they don't really know why people have reflux, which leads to the bigger question!
Why do people have reflux? Stomach problems, digestive problems etc. are some of the most commonly known psychosomatic problems, and I know from experience that the more stressed I am the more I feel rapped air and heartburn etc. I really believe as Sarno has said, that the majority of Reflux problems are related to stress or TMS. Of course if you eat complete junk then you need to sort that out!
So to sum up :
- Get tested in the most extensive way possible, starting with an endoscopy as it's a simple procedure.
- If they say you don't have reflux, and they have no idea, then TMS is the only path I know of!
- If they say you might have reflux or you do, then try the Fast Tract Diet first. Read the guys book, his website, and get the app. See if there is resolution in 3 weeks, or a reduction in symptoms. It did nothing for me as I said, because I did not have reflux. But my mum had reflux because of a Hiatus Hernia and it helped her a lot.
There are so many things people mention to try for reflux, and if you are like me you might get obsessed. Most of it got me nowhere and I tried it all! I still think the best thing you can do is breathe properly, find time to relax, meditate and exercise.
I wish you luck, and I hope this jumble of thoughts is helpful in some way!
