asthma & coughing question

This is my first time to visit and I've learned a lot from reading everyone's messages.  I was diagnosed with asthma in high school but neglected it a lot in college.  For the past four years I have been coughing A LOT, day and night  They are very productive and I can't even laugh without coughing.  Everyone thinks I smoke because of my cough.  I have been on numerous medications and my doctor just put me on advair and said if this doesn't work then I need to go see a specialist.  Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else has had this problem and if so, if they have found any solutions.  I am 25 and want to start thinking about having kids in the next couple of years and I really want to be healthy.  Please, any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

We have a lot in common. I was diagnosed with asthma as well when I was in highschool. I just ignored it because it was not that bad, and stopped taking my medicine which was Singular at that time. For many years I was fine, but then I moved to NJ, about five years ago, and it started to flare up so bad. I just started coughing, and then sweat, and then next thing I know I could barely breathe. I finally realized I was having an asthma attack. It was my first ever.

At first I went to my primary doctor, who gave me albuterol and put me on steriods for a week. I went back, but it wasn't completely better, so she put me on Singluar 10mg. I was still having coughing attacks. So, I went back to her again but, she didn't do much. So, I got sick of that and finally went to an allergist/asthma specialist. That was when I got the most help.

They did allery testing and it comes out that I am VERY allergic to mold and among other things. So, she put me on Advair, 250/50 mg and it did nothing along with the Advair, so then she gave me Advair 500/50 and prescribed Nexium to see if I have silent reflux. I have been on those meds. for awhile now, and have seen a major difference. The coughing spells are less, and I am rarely weezing, but due to this crazy weather over in the east, it is starting to act up once again.

I would suggest seeing an allergist, that is who helped me the most. I hope you feel better soon, I know it can be tough, but hang in there. Sorry, I wrote you a book, but I hope it has helped some. Keep us updated.
Andrea