I ve had a hacking cough for 3 weeks now. I ve been to the doctors twice last week. One said I had upper respiratory infection, which I knew I didn t, and the second dr didn t quite know what I had, but ordered a chest x-ray which he knew would come back negative. He also gave me an inhaler, and promethazine with codeine. The past week my cough has died down some, but I still have the hacking cough as well as it gets so bad that it feels like my throat is closing up making it extremely difficult to breathe. I use the inhaler to help open the passage. I also choke so bad that I vomit at times. I have no other symptoms. What could be causing my throat to swell during my coughing episodes, and what is causing the hacking coughs?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Since your chest x-ray is normal, no need to worry about lung infection (pneumonia). By your history and description, possibility of bronchitis is more. So get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only. Along with inhaler, you may need bucolic, anti-inflammatory and expectorant Chat Doctor.  These all will dilute your sputum and makes it easy to cough out. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.