I'm trying to find out why I've had a cough for a year; any ideas would be appreciated. To make a long story short(er), it was mis-diagnosed 5 times by my PCP and ear-nose-throat doctor, and they had prescribed a dozen or so different things, none of which helped at all. Finally they sent me to a pulmonologist, who didn't find anything wrong with my lungs, but diagnosed GERD.

She gave me a free sample of Prevacid, and that was the first thing to help. My insurance didn't cover Prevacid, so I switched to OTC Pepcid AC. Then I went to a gastroenterologist for a second opinion, and he switched me to Prilosec. It helps the same amount as the Prevacid and the Pepcid AC did, which means I am coughing less than I was, but I am still coughing way more than a healthy person should cough. I've been taking these types of medications for at least 3 months already.

If the cough were due to GERD, wouldn't it be gone by now? Also, everything I see about GERD says the main symptom is heartburn, and I never get heartburn. But the cough must be digestion-related, or the Prilosec/ Prevacid/ Pepcid wouldn't have helped, right?

I really need to get rid of this cough. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ ideas/ information.

I too, have a cough - have had it for about 2 years - diagnosis - GERD. Last year the cough was soo bad I could barely catch my breath, i would cough until I threw up (and/or wet my pants). My gastroenterologist scheduled me for a endoscopy. They found a ring or stricture in my esophagus and dialated it- the cough got better. Now, I am able to function!
I don't think the cough is all due to GERD - because I have noticed that the cough gets much worse during March, April (allergy season). My husband thinks my cough is caused by allergys and the GERD. I made an appointment with an allergist to see if my husband's theory is correct -
Currently I take prevacid each night before I go to bed -also elevate the head of the bed and do not lie down until at least 2 hours after eating. AND I have been taking ClaritinD every 12 hours. I still cough but it's nothing like before! Granted, I would love to not cough at all but if this is as good as it is going to get - I can deal with it!!!

FYI, I had an upper endoscopy and a barium swallow, and they didn't find any reflux at all or anything out of the ordinary. So I still don't know why I'm coughing (or why the Prevacid helped), but they're pretty sure it's not GERD. I guess I'll post again if I find out anything useful.