i quit smoking about 8 months ago, and now have a chronic cough. doctor says i have asthma. i use inhalers, doesnt help. i was on steriods, didnt help. the cough doesn t hurt its just annoying. I dont cough when I am asleep. I almost awlways cough when I exhale. I just had my thyroid removed 2 weeksago., not that I think that has anything to do with it. I also have GERD, but am being treated for it.