Weird cough on and off... - Allergies Message Board

CheerAngel · 01-25-2009, 04:55 AM

Hi, I have this weird cough on and off. I get this feeling that something is stuck near my throat area and my chest feels congested/tight. So I cough trying to clear it but nothing comes up. I tend to cough and cough until sometimes I nearly throw up but still no productive cough.

I continue to cough and cough, finally there's the sound of phelgm. Did the cough caused the phelgm or was there actually phelgm already stuck deep inside my throat or lungs?

The doctor told me it's allergies but couldn't give a proper dx or what I'm allergic to. I had skin test before, but on different occasions, the test gave different results. I'm not sure if the nurse who did it is not experience enough of my immune system is just weird. The cough can happen anytime but most of the time it starts when I am awake. Anyone has such experience?

dolysods · 01-25-2009, 05:31 PM

here is something to consider... LPR. Here are some symptoms that i found

"If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

* Hoarseness
* Thick or too much mucous
* Chronic throat irritation
* Chronic throat clearing
* Heartburn
* Chronic cough
* Cough that wakes you from your sleep

What is Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)?

Acid is normally produced in the stomach. It is prevented from backing up or refluxing into your esophagus (or food pipe) and throat by a band of muscle at the entrance of the stomach known as the lower esophageal sphincter. If this band of muscle is not functioning well, you can have a backflow of acid into your esophagus and into your throat and voice box, this is called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

But I Don't Have heartburn?

Many people with LPR do not have symptoms of heartburn. Compared to the esophagus, the voice box and the back of the throat are significantly more sensitive to the affects of the acid on the surrounding tissues. Acid that passes quickly through the food pipe does not have a chance to irritate the area for too long. However, acid that pools in the throat and voice box will cause prolonged irritation resulting in the symptoms of LPR.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux can consist of a dry cough, chronic throat clearing and a sensation of something being stuck in the throat. Some people will also complain of heartburn, while others may have intermittent hoarseness or loss of voice. Another major symptom of LPR is "postnasal drip". The patients often have been told that their symptoms are abnormal nasal drainage or infections, however, this is rarely the cause of the irritation. In order for the "postnasal drip" to cause the complaints described, signs and symptoms of active nasal infection has to be present."

TEdds83 · 01-28-2009, 03:02 PM

I am glad you posted this. You are very accurate. This are acid reflux symptoms. I have both. This afternoon I started to react to something in the car. I am trying to figure out if it was something I ate, (a breadstick from fazoli's) or what. I started sneezing, I suddenly had alot of mucus in my throat. I just can't swallow it all. Then I begun coughing and clearning my throat. I just keep clearing it. I feel like I am having an allergic reaction to something. Or relux that started in from the breadstick and garlic. I can still breathe but I just get panicky. Just tons of mucus and constant clearning now.

dolysods · 01-28-2009, 03:10 PM

I can only have dry breadsticks from fazolis! sucks! but any of those types of breadsticks.. if they have been basted or are soaked in the garlic butter...sets me off. I'm the same way with all frozen garlic bread and breadsticks. Not sure if it is the butter or the garlic.

TEdds83 · 01-28-2009, 03:18 PM

Wow I had no idea that could be a trigger! But I am learning fast as I am writing down everything I eat and if I have symptoms. I have lost 12 pounds in the past couple of months. All due to acid reflux and my diet. As I am tuning in I can really pinpoint. I did go crazy this afternoon and downed 3 of those breadstix. They were loaded with butter and garlic! And ooh so good. But literally after the 3rd one I began sneezing and the mucus production started. I am going to assume since that is the only thing I ate that I am allergic to the butter and garlic. Who knows....they may have some other ingredients thrown in with that, that I don't know about. That is why I do try to cook at home and know exactly what is going into the food I consume.
Thanks for your help!