From a chronic cough to living (and loving) life - Jayne’s story

A defining moment

“I was due to be invigilating some mock exams in the January and my cough was so bad that I deliberated even going into school. I did venture in, but planned not to talk much at all. Inevitably, I did – couldn’t help it with the kids needing help and support – so I croaked my way through the next three to four weeks.” 

But Jayne’s cough was not easily hidden and she soon became known for it, and felt like she was being defined by it.

“I was definitely becoming known as the teacher who was always coughing. I hated it – and even more how it made me feel. There was a constant anxiety about it – I couldn’t relax, enjoy my job, or enjoy my day.”

Jayne saw her GP and was referred to someone privately who on first glance diagnosed laryngeal hypersensitivity syndrome (LHS). Prescribing amitriptyline in the first instance, this was not deemed to be a suitable long-term medication, and so Jayne was then referred to a cough clinic in Manchester who continued treating the LHS, prescribing a morphine-based medication. Jayne didn’t get on with this, but the team said there was nothing more they could do at the time. 

In your head

Starting to think that she would be plagued by a terrible cough forevermore, Jayne visited a hypnotist. It had been suggested by a consultant she had seen that the cough may be psychosomatic - exploring an alternative route seemed to be the only hope. While she was sure this wasn’t the case, as an accompaniment to the therapy she also underwent three ENT endoscopies, numerous X-rays, speech therapy and a spirometer test, with no improvement, answer or resolution.

In addition to this, Jayne had also developed urinary incontinence.

“I was having to wear pads night and day, and was even under the Gynaecology department at my local hospital in Truro for ages. I had also seen an incontinence nurse for a few sessions to see if anything could be done. In truth though, the incontinence only became more debilitating as the cough continued to worsen.

Jayne had to retire from her job early as she started to wonder if the paints and clay in the Art department were triggering her symptoms further. They weren’t.

“I was also having to carry water and mints with me wherever I went – the latter I was going through a whole pack a day - which had increasingly unpleasant and laxative effects. I was finding social events like cinemas etc really stressful. I could no longer even sing ‘Happy Birthday’ at social occasions as talking at length would start coughing fits, so I would avoid anything other than short sentences. Even more sadly, reading stories to my grandchildren had become impossible.”

Desperate measures

In May 2025, Jayne searched online for a chronic cough expert. Finding a couple of names, one of them being Professor James Hull, she decided to pay to see him privately and travelled from Cornwall to London, for an initial appointment at The Princess Grace Hospital. 

At her first consultation, Professor Hull confirmed that Jayne did have LHS and that a medication that was new in the market, Gefapixant, could help. Given that the symptoms had become unmanageable and Jayne could take instantly without any preparation, she did just that, with the only proviso being that her tastes may change. 

“On heading back to Paddington station, I picked up some biscuits for the train ride home. Biting into one, they tasted as though they were sugar-free, which was weird, as they were not. By the time I reached home a few hours later, I realised that I hadn’t coughed once! The medication had worked that fast - it was extraordinary! I am now two months into treatment. I have gradually gotten used to the change in my taste buds, and just ensure that my evening meal is eaten before the second tablet of the day…I actually really look forward to it.”

Amazingly, there have been other benefits also for Jayne. 

“I no longer need to wear incontinence pads at night or during the day, which is completely freeing -  and I have just cancelled my next Urodynamics appointment. Since taking Gefapixant, I’ve also not had any urinary infections, which were frequent as I was just leaking all the time. My family and friends just cannot believe the change, and significantly, I can now read a book to my grandchildren without coughing! It’s been life-changing…and I am eternally grateful for finding Professor Hull and the medication itself.”

We wish Jayne continued health and if you are looking for more information into chronic coughs or other respiratory conditions, please contact us today to book an appointment.