CPAP and Neurogenic Cough

[TardisBluu]

Anyone here have a neurogenic cough? I've been coughing since 1997 due to overactive nerves in my throat. I'm really struggling to be compliant with my CPAP but I wake up every 2 hours due to coughing fits. I don't think humidity is the issue as I have heated tubing etc.

I'm also struggling with sleeping position as I tend to roll onto my stomach 1/2 way through the night. I'd appreciate any help or tips you have!!

[ChicagoGranny]

Anyone here have a neurogenic cough? I've been coughing since 1997 due to overactive nerves in my throat. I'm really struggling to be compliant with my CPAP but I wake up every 2 hours due to coughing fits. I don't think humidity is the issue as I have heated tubing etc.

Are you mouthbreathing during the night?

I'm also struggling with sleeping position as I tend to roll onto my stomach 1/2 way through the night.

This should not be a problem. You can use CPAP and sleep on your stomach. Here is an explanation of the best way (Falcon position) to do it - http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html

[TardisBluu]

I don't mouth breathe at all. My cough is due to overactive nerves so EVERYTHING makes me cough--purfumes, cleaning supplies, even eating.

And I try to sleep in the position shown, but it doesn't work. I have a tiny nose and no matter what mask I try, it either unseals the mask or presses one side of my nose shut.

[ChicagoGranny]

My cough is due to overactive nerves so EVERYTHING makes me cough--purfumes, cleaning supplies, even eating.

I'm so sorry. Have you been working with doctors on this? Second, third and even fourth opinions are encouraged.

Do you take any medications to help with the cough?

[Cpapian]

What medications do you take? Often medication can cause coughing. Blood pressure medicine is one that comes to mind, which usually signals a need to change medications.

Airway Reflux is also a common cause of a persistent cough. An ENT would be able to quickly determine this.

[chunkyfrog]

I had developed a case of this after a bronchial infection last winter.
At times, the only thing that helped was benzonatate.
You might ask your doctor about it.

[Doug_Nightmare]

... At times, the only thing that helped was benzonatate. You might ask your doctor about it.

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682640.html

[chunkyfrog]

Thank you for that.
I was prescribed it when I expressed an aversion to narcotics (codeine), due to my apnea.
Bad news--it was NOT covered by Medicare--but worth it--no constipation.
Costco pharmacy charged half as much as Walgreen's.

[Doug_Nightmare]

The adverse reactions are worrisome. Sensitivity reactions are bronchospasm and laryngospasm; just about the symptom that you’re trying to moderate.

[chunkyfrog]

I only used it for severe spasms, finding that sugar free Ricola drops were effective enough for most tickles.
The complications were why I suggested to ask a doctor.

[TahoeGal]

I have neurogenic cough, too.

I get coughing fits so bad that I throw up. Also broke a rib once (drs refused to believe me/X-ray. Yes, they flat out refused even a X-ray. After 4 months of bad pain a nuclear bone scan showed a total break, no apologies from the er or gp)

Anything will set me off, and coughing that bad in a mask is scary. I have had to rip it off fast because of the vomiting.

I took 300mg neurontin 2-3 x day for a couple years, then stopped because it was giving me clonus jerks, not a good thing, as I was also having little seizures. The real seizures are gone (medication side effect). My neurologist doesn’t want me to take neurontin because of the jerks, but I have to weigh the risks vs benefits.

Now I take a pill when I get the cough. Sometimes one is enough, otherwise I keep taking them. A couple days of pills don’t set off the jerks.

For me, I can feel the difference between a normal cough and a neurological one.

My pneumologist says neurontin is the only drug for the cough. He was surprised that I could stop the meds and only take when needed. There hasn’t been much research, and some drs say you can stop the neurontin after a year or two, some say you take it forever. He hasn’t had another neurogenic cough patient. We tried the neurontin as a last ditch effort to control my coughing. He had just read a paper on it.

Have you tried neurontin? I got significant relief from the very first pill.

All medical providers and pharmacists I have encountered never heard of the cough or that a seizure drug can control it. I had a long discussion with a Gastro before my colonoscopy. He had never heard of such a thing. Next time I saw him 1 1/2 years later, he said he diagnosed 4 patients with it- they all were diagnosed as reflux.