I've had a persistent cough for a year...it's driving me crazy! If I'm laying down, I don't cough. If I'm eating or drinking, I don't cough. I have started to chew gum constantly, as this produces saliva, which I then have to swallow, which stops my cough temporarily. I've had an endoscopy, to check for reflux - this was negative. I've had a CT scan of my neck and throat, thyroid scan, allergy testing, blood tests, x-rays, been to an ENT doctor, had exploratory throat surgery. Everything came back negative. When I cough, I cough from my throat, not lungs, though I have been tested for TB, which was negative. Sometimes before my cough starts, I feel as if my throat is tightening. After having anesthesia for the endoscopy and exploratory surgery, I didn't cough for 3-5 days. Does this relax my throat to stop the cough? If anyone could help me with this, I would be so grateful.