Cough Variant Asthma
Hello all,
I have had temporary bouts of chronic / persistent cough for the last 1 year. The trigger can be anything, but once it starts it lasts roughly 10 days.
I contracted covid around 8 days ago (took meds for 5 days and i felt better and fever fully subsided). The coughing started again with covid and it is more intense. I went to a pulmonologist after my 5 days (cdc protocol). Not sure if i did right or not (i did not tell him that i was just coming out of covid), but he basically just diagnosed me with Asthma based on a couple of observatory tests (asked to breathe hold exhale and a couple more exams).
Now he is asking me to take the following meds and go for a spirometry in 3 weeks.
Montelukast Sodium
Prednisone 20 mg for 7 days
Albuterol inhaler
Advair 500/50
I am not sure if i have to take all of this even before a spirometry. Cough is the only symptom i have. I absolutely hate taking prednisone for the side effects.
Any guidance will be appreciated
Regards
Sorry forgot to add, he also requested an xray
Hi
, first and foremost, we are glad that you have recovered from covid. How are you feeling today? I'm sure it was a rough run given your history with chronic/persistent coughing. A diagnosis such as asthma can be confusing initially (it's a lot to take in). Check out this article that describes an asthma diagnosis. The article reviews spirometry and other diagnosis tests. Let us know what you think! Best of luck, Lauren (team member) https://asthma.net/diagnosis 
Hey there
- As Lauren stated, we are glad you recovered from Covid. I am sure having Covid made your cough so much worse and irritating. So glad to have you here in the community. I wanted to leave a few links as well that may help:
https://asthma.net/living/familiar-cough
https://asthma.net/living/cough-reflex
If your healthcare provider diagnosed you with asthma based on observatory tests, they likely saw evidence of airway dysfunction or obstruction. I hope you find the spirometry reveals good results and that medications help relieve the severity and duration of your cough. Wishing you the best of health and wellness. Rebecca (community moderator)
