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IPF Coughing issues
I have read several posts from people experiencing severe /annoying cough with the IPF.
I also had this and was referred to an ENT for my cough and post nasal drip. He suspected what is known as silent GERD. I have never had GERD before my IPF diagnosis,silent or otherwise.He prescribed OMEPRAZOLE DR 20mg, better known as Prilosec ,which is very inexpensive either as a prescription or over the counter at Costco or local pharmacy. The key here is patience because it can take up to 6 months to work. It took about 5 months for me . The only time I cough now is if I talk too much at a loud volume. Good luck with this because it has been a game changer for me.
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3 Replies
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I was also diagnosed with silent reflux (GERD) shortly after my diagnosis of IPF. My pulmonologist referred me for a barium swallow test, which came back positive. I was very surprised, as I very seldom had any heartburn or other symptoms, just a chronic, dry cough, which I attributed to allergies. An endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. I am currently taking omeprazole, 40 mg bid, having been increased from 20 mg bid. My pulmonologist believes the undiagnosed reflux caused my IPF, as I have no other risk factors. My gastroenterologist was skeptical, as there is little research about this, however he has become a believer, as I have had no progression of my disease in almost 10 years, with only the omeprazole for treatment. The little research available shows a high correlation between IPF & GERD, so anyone with IPF & a chronic cough might want to explore whether they might have silent reflux, too.
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My chronic cough is a gift from my ILD, specifically NSIP, for this the pulmonologist has me on a low dose of amitriptyline, it has done wonders for my cough but he advises me that nothing will take it away completely. I’ve been on GERD meds for 7 years now, 4 years before the ILD started.
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I have tried everything for the cough. Nothing has worked for me. If I didn’t cough constantly I wouldn’t know I have this disease.
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