I have suffered for years with mild symptoms of RA with flare ups that were painful and would subside into remission. About 8 months ago I came down with a chronic cough that was believed to be bronchitis and asthma. 18 years ago I had bronchitis that triggered asthma symptoms that disappeared when the bronchitis ran its course. I had fractured 2 ribs during that time from the constant coughing. Well this time it is different, the cough has not gone away and resulted in me tearing my intercostal muscles and ligaments, which took 5 months to heal although I can still feel the constant reminder that a repeat injury is never far away. During that time I went to emergency under excruciating pain. When following up with my GP they referred me to a psychiatrist believing that I was in it for pain medication and I should heal in 6 weeks. When I returned they referred me to a Rheumatologist, and in 4 months of observation he said I have progressive RA. I still have a chronic cough that the GP ruled as asthma and allergies, although none of hte inhalers or allergy medications relieve the cough. I heard that RA can cause a dry cough, but my cough has a slight clear mucus, but very little and the coughing is so deep that it is impossible to cough it up, I do have shortness of breth when performing activities I used to be able to perform such as laundry in a two story house. Does anybody have this kind of cough and consider it a dry cough. My oxygen levels are good, and my chest sounds good when they listen...yet the cough remains. Does this ring a bell with anyone?