The "Cough" Doctor

After an especially bad winter when my cough was out of proportion to the infection, my allergist/immunologist sent me to a cough specialist at a place called The Voice Center. Part of her therapy is a gargle 3x times a day (salt, baking soday, white corn syrup) and physical therapy--there are only 3 PT persons that she uses in the Dallas area, and I lucked out with a wonderful one who has really become a friend--we talk books, show pictures to each other, talk politics. The PT focuses on neck and chest exercise with core and balance thrown in as well as developing stamina. I've learned breathing techniques that will often stop my coughing as well as other strategies to help control the cough. While this was a rough winter infection-wise, my cough was better in control. She's also found several throat issues that are contributing to the cough, and I have had a throat surgery and a vocal cord precedure as well as another more complex vocal cord surgery scheduled in October. This has helped immensely with the hoarseness and needing to cough while talking.

While this will never change the fact that I have cough variant asthma and Common Variable Immunodeficiency which means frequent infections that result in issues, the ENT doctor and the recommended PT have made it so that I do get over coughing issues quicker and have another doctor who is focused on my needs. (She also teaches neurology to med students and writes children's books.)