It all started with a minor cold. Then I started to have some mucus build up at night. I would wake with some caughing and then it would kind of get lodge in my throat and I would literally start to gag for air. This would happen about 1 - 2 times per day. After each episode of this I would feel fine. Because I could not breath each time this happened, I called my doctor. He prescribed a cough medicine with codeine. This at least allowed me sleep through the night, but as soon as I woke in the morning and stood up the mucus would start to move and coughing and then the choking would happen. A few days later I visted the doctor again. Though I felt fine 98% of the day, I still was having some coughing (not a lot) followed by the choking. I was prescribed a antibiotic. Also, I was spitting out some phelgm. However it was not real yellow. To sleep, I found it if I took the cough medicine and a sudafed/expectorant. But in the morning I would still get the coughing and choking. The mucus build up slowed but the post nasal drip continued. The choking also was not as bad, but I started to get major burps. Then one day after starting to cough out the phelgm that was stuck in my throat that triggered me to start to vomit. Each day I continue to feel a little better, but just as I put behind me two days of no choking or gagging, things got worse. Last night just after I fell asleep, I woke due to the post nasal drip that triggered some choking. This triggered again my gag reflexes and then I started to vomit. I eventually got back to bed but the post nasal drip continued to wake me every 30 -60 minutes. But at this point I found myself clearing my throat each time and mentatally trying not to cough and trigger the choking.....

Any advise would be helpful....thank you.

I am just starting to recover from a 2 week bout of something and what you describe happens to me too. The congestion is not deep in my lungs but higher in the respitory track - in the esophogus area. When i start coughing up the mucus, it gets caught up in my gag reflex and I start dry-heaving... violently. It is extremely painful. Here is what I do when this happens...

First of all - stand up immediately. I have found that standing helps your body expectorate the mucus. Go to your bathroom sink and turn the hot water on full blast. Lean over the sink and throw a towel over your head. The steam you inhale will quickly dislodge the "glue" that is making you gag. And because you are over the sink you can spit in out. It doesn't hurt to look at the mucus you cough up to see what color it is. This can help your doctor know if you are infected. And if there is any blood in the mucus you should contact your doctor right away.

I will tell you that this past week I have been unable to lay down to sleep. As soon as I lay down, the mucus gets built up in my throat and chest and I start choking. If you can, find a comfy chair where you can sleep sitting up. If you don't have one, prop up a stack of 4-5 pillows so you can sit up in bed and sleep that way. And if that doesn't work, sleep on your stomach instead of your back. Sometimes I find relief by sleeping on my stomach, but instead of putting my pillow under my head (which would elevate it), I put 2 pillows under my chest - letting my head hand down over the front edge of pillows. This helps to prevent the mucus from moving from your sinus into your chest and you can blow it out your nose instead.

Just some ideas...

I went to the DOC again and he prescribed Mucinex (over the counter) expectorant and also he prescribed Prednisone. The Mucinex to be taken every 12 hours and breakes down the mucus. The Prednisone to help my muscles not get so tense (I guess). Well its strange. Things over all seem to be getting better, but I still have a small episode of coughing that then gets me weezing and gagging for air. This occurs when I am sitting and or lying down. And it seems to happen more after the Mucinex probably has worn off (around 8-10 hours). This is certainly one strange ailment. 98% of the day I feel fine...then something happens to trigger it. Today, I was sitting on the couch and started to laugh... this triggered the coughing which then started to tighting things and start my gagging and gasping for air. Its like the body has to relax for things to get better. ughh... hopefully things will totally clear up soon.

"...this triggered the coughing which then started to tighting things and start my gagging and gasping for air. Its like the body has to relax for things to get better. ughh... hopefully things will totally clear up soon".

Reading your post, I recall having something like this when I was sick with my cough. I tell you it really scared me. I hate feeling out of control. Tell us how you keep doing. Are you resting and drinking lot of liquids? I found drinking , warm water with lemon and honey was something I did alot. I also took claritin to dry up the mucuous.

After my cough started to finally get a little better. I started taking things alternative to build up my immune system. I still have post nasal drip but am not spitting up as much in the morning as I had during the really bad coughing.
How long have you had your cough? I had mine for about a month!
~dagmar jane

Well I still have it.... since Christmas (2.5 - 3 weeks). It is better but still there. Just when I think I am cured all the way it is like I have a relapse. Last night I woke with a "clump" or something in my throat. I guess I tried to swallow which brought on the caughing. This was followed by some big burps. Luckily I have been not eating much between dinner and when I go to bed. When things settled down (after the burping and gagging for some good air), I was able to go back to bed. I did notice some post nasal drip at that point. Eventually, I got back to sleep. I have been taking two tablets (600mg each) of Mucinex each day. Yesterday I did not take one in the morning but I did take one in the evening. Overall, I am feeling better but still I wonder why the relapses. This bug just hangs with you. I keep caugh drops handy. If I do feel a cough coming I try to slip a cough drop into my mouth. This helps. The caughing (which is not much) does lead to the choking, gagging and burping. Strange as it is, most of the day I feel pretty well. Go figure.

It is now close to 4 weeks since my symptoms started. The symptoms are as follows: A choking sensation, a feeling that there is a lump in my throat that starts my caughing. The Caughing starts the choking feeling or the burps. The burping becomes uncontrollable and then there is gasping for air. It is like you can not get any air or breaths. It is not a fun feeling at all. Generally the symptoms occur when lying in bed.. when I turn on my side or when just rising from the bed. Sometimes the symptoms occur when sitting or leaning back in a chair.

The above is what I discussed with a specialist in an Otolaryngology group. After explaining to him the symptoms he said it sounded very much like REFLUX. Which is Acid Reflux. So now I am going to start on some prevacid to see if it does the trick. I hope so.

I'm confused. In your earlier posts you said that the choking was from post nasal drip or mucus. Now you are saying that is from acid and burping. There is a HUGE difference here.

I have to tell you that based on your earlier posts it does NOT sound like you have reflux. Acid reflux is when your stomach acids leak through the diaphram up into the respitory track. This can be caused by a variety of things - hiatal hernia, ulcers, allergies, etc. The result is usually EXTREME burning and discomfort which results in coughing and choking. But there is something specific that you are choking on and it is usually obvious that it is gastro-intestinal in nature.

The fact that you cannot identify what is causing your choking and that you NEVER once mentioned burning or acidity makes me wonder if you have not described your symptoms clearly to your doctor. You need to clarify if your symptoms seem to be related to a cold or respitory infection - this would normally be accompanied by the general feeling of having cold/flu, feeling "sick," feeling burning in your sinuses or congestion in your nose, ears, throat or chest. On the other hand, if you do not feel sick, do not have excessive congestion, do not have a stuffy nose, but you do have burning in your chest after eating or laying down, then it could be reflux.

Its also not uncommon to suffer from side effects or allergic reactions to either your own cold (excessive mucus) or to the medications you have been taking. I hate to see you go on reflux meds when in fact you are suffering from a cold , virus, or allergies.

I recommend that you start keeping track of EVERYTHING that you consume (in a little notebook) - not just food, but drinks, meds, anything - even brushing your teeth. Then also enter when you have symptoms - the time and day. After about a week you may see a pattern. Symptoms are not always immediate with allergies - sometimes it can take 2-6 hours to have a reaction to something.

I have just recovered fully from my illness - after 3 doctor visits and 3 different antibiotics I was officially diagnosed with pneumonia. It took a total of 4 weeks to fully recover and I am still quite exhausted. I did get some heartburn from the antibiotics I was on, but for the most part, my choking was directly related to my lung infection.

I agree, it does not seem like Reflux is what I had... in the beginning. Four weeks ago, I did have mucus (phelgm) and seemed to hack it out especially in the morning and when I had the attacks at night. Now, over the last week or so, I so have some acid but I don't feel lots of burning. However, I do feel something in the throat at times which I guess could be classified as a "burning" sensation. This happens when I am sitting (reclining chair) or laying down. I agree, perhaps I have not communicated the symptoms to the doctor well enough. On the other hand, when I communicated the same symptoms to the specialist, he did equate them to reflux. So for now, I have been taking Prevacid for 4 days and I have had less asthma like caughing. I have continued to monitor and watch what I eat and drink. I'll post again in a few days to inform others how things are going. Thanks again for your comments.

I have just recovered fully from my illness - after 3 doctor visits and 3 different antibiotics I was officially diagnosed with pneumonia. It took a total of 4 weeks to fully recover and I am still quite exhausted. I did get some heartburn from the antibiotics I was on, but for the most part, my choking was directly related to my lung infection.

How did the Dr's find the lung infection? I've been coughing for sooo long now, and once the GP diagnosed it as bronchitis. Now they say I have sinutitis, along with an URI. I've been on meds for the last several days, but can't get this congestion to go away. Any suggestions? I've heard lemon juice breaks it up.

i think there's some simple things you can do to alleviate your symptoms. the first is to not have any dairy, or foods with dairy content as they create excess mucous in your system. the second step is to keep a plastic bag next to you at all times, and spit any and all mucous out of your system, as mucous is inflammatory to your throat and lungs, and can even cary or worsen your infection in those areas. i don't recommend cough drops as they are extremely high in sugar: excess of sugar can affect your mood, make you feel tired etc. if your throat really hurts you can garlge with epsom salts and do what the previous post said: breathe steam.

if you have post nasal drip you should do everything to avoid sleeping on your back. i also like to keep a small bowl on my bed that i can spit into during the night...that way i can breathe easier and reduce my chance of spreading the infection.

I am on my 4th week of some type of weird virus. It started out with chest congestion followed by a cough. The cough became more frequent and violent. To the point of almost vomiting. Post nasal drip started, it feels like it blocks my air which causes me to choke and gasp for air. I haven't had a fever or stuffy nose. The "episodes" are so bad I am afraid to go in public by myself in fear someone may call 911. I am exhausted. I have been to the doctor's 4 times. I had a chest xray, pulmonary test, cardiogram all showing nothing. A specialist looked in my throat for a blockage, still nothing. I have tried an inhaler, cough /codein med, and inhaler nothing has helped. My doctor has not seen one of my "episodes." I felt the throat specialist was thinking its all in my head. Has anyone had these systems.

Hey all! I have a similar problem but maybe a bit more severe. It seems that at least once or twice a day I have to vomit mucus because it causes me to beging coughing. That is my first sign. All day I have post nasal drip and it accumulates until I have to vomit. The strange thing is that I could have just eaten a meal and when I go to eliminate the mucus... all that comes up is mucus and nothing else. I'm sure this isn't normal and I can't seem to get a straight answer from my doctor or my ENT. Any suggestions?
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You guys can add me to your list as well. I caught an awful virus that was floating around, one which attacked the sinuses. Those of us who were unlucky enough to catch it had chronic watering eyes (and itchy as heck), itchy nose, constant sneezing, post nasal drip and a cough that occurred almost never in the day time but was AWFUL at night. There was nothing that could be taken for this as it was a virus, but I will admit that those Cold FX pills worked wonders. All symptoms went away but I still have post nasal drip and an occasional cough, but I am in week 8 already. My doctor told me that this one will take several weeks to go away completely, and there's nothing he can give me to help.

Scooter: Burping is a symptom of only a very few things (ulcer, hernia, reflux, or anxiety) so that could be why you got the diagnosis you did. Post nasal drip does burn and often will cause a sore throat because of it. When it is thick it will sit at the back of your throat and you will definately feel it, like a big goober. Trying to cough it up will remove some of the mucous but the lump feeling will remain -- the key is to thin it out. If you actually feel a lump there is a condition called "Globus Hystericus" which causes this, and I do believe it is caused from anxiety. I doubt highly that the Prevacid has helped with anything, but moreso it's that time has passed and your body is healing. Post nasal drip is a bugger to get rid of as it can linger for MONTHS. Years ago I once had it for YEARS. I had to be careful to never cry because if I did, it felt like I was choking to death and if I didn't vomit on my own I'd have to make myself barf in order to breathe.

George: You should try going to a doctor that will look in your nose, and not your throat. Post nasal drip is caused by an inflammation or infection of the nasal membranes.

Roguescot: It is not abnormal to vomit only mucous even after eating if you have post nasal drip, especially if you are making yourself vomit. There is just an abundance of mucous present and your body will only heave out what's on top. If you continued trying to make yourself vomit after the mucous is done exiting, the rest will follow.

Everyone: There is only one thing that will help with post nasal drip but nobody likes doing it, including myself. You have to put some salt water in the palm of your hand, inhale it into one nostril, and spit it out. Then you have to do it again with the other nostril.

Also, the best thing for the coughing is a cough syrup with codiene.

Hope this helps. :)

I have had pretty bad post nasal drip for awhile. I find myself spitting stuff out constantly throughout the day. I to have dry heaving fits and choke on it. I find it to be the worst in the morning when I wake up because I don't swallow much in my sleep. Finally mentioned it to my doctor and he did an x-ray of my sinuses found that i have severe sinusitis. He put me on 2 1000mg Augmentin twice a day. Now I have more mucous then ever. I guess thats the medicine clearing out my sinuses. I pray that this works or I will be making an appointment with an ENT. Good luck to you! :wave:

wow. I didn't think anyone else had this problem. For over a year now I have had bad post nasal drip and then I gag on it and sometimes I throw up.

I have bad GERD too, but there is definitely a lot of post nasal drip. I have allergies and those werer under controll until december of 2003. I had this odd virus thing and I had to go to the ER with a high fever. They didn't find anything like pnemonia but I was really sick for several days. After that I was never the same. I kept getting colds all the time.

Now I have fibromyalgia. I used to be healthy before that.

I take miraphin and claritin and flonase for the alergies and have tried a bunch of other stuff including the sinus rinse but I still get the post nasal drip. Sometimes bad, sometimes time will pass when I don't get it or get it rarely.

I've had a sinus infection now for over a month... yuck. the retching is the worst part.

Hi kyethra. Are you on any antibiotics for the sinus infection? I was diagnosed after some dull aching headaches near the top of my head and lots of post nasal drip.

George,

Just curious if you still have your problem? I read your post and I have had the same symptoms since elementary school. It's been an off and on battle. I've seen countless specialists and doctors and they all write it off as mental, though I believe it's a mix of both. Would like to hear more about your symptoms or if they've improved any.

Yes. I took biaxin for ten days. THen waited to see if it would heal on its own. Now I have been on levaquin for three days. If anything, its worse now, though I think I might also be comming down with yet another cold.

HelP! I have suffered with this for more years than I like to remember. I have even had surgery, seen ant ENT, allergist and nothing and no one can help. The allergist told me it was all in my head. I am miserable. I am taking Zyrtec D and another allegy prescript and they seemed to work for a few years but they do not work any more. I have no allergies, have tried cutting out all dairy and caffeine and use a nettie pot. I am now constantly having sinus infection after sinus infection. It starts with the terrible headache for a day or so and then goes to my sinuses and then ends up in my chest with post nasal drip that keeps me awake for nights. Please if anyone has any answers for this problem please tell me what they are. sinusX

well my sinus infection started to improve on the levaquin, until I developed an allergic reaction to it! I'm allergic to a lot of things and right now its a mild infection so they don't me to start on another drug.

It looks like my next step is getting a CT scan or seeing an ENT. Both of which are expensive. But I want to breath normally!

I swear, i never met anyone else, besides myself, who has to deal with all this crappy throat mucus. it's good to see im not alone, but i feel for you all. ive suffered 3 sinus infections in two months, leading to gobs of thick mucus. then i had sinus surgery! wasnt allowed to blow my nose or hack for 2 weeks! more gobs of mucus. finally, im 3 weeks post op and every looks great, still some PND and of course mucus in my throat. im so stressed out about it!!!!!! but my ent doesnt seem to sweat it "just take mucinex." thats all huh? im soo worried all of this junk is in my lungs b/c i have asthma. he says no. you are a healthy individual --i guess. although,, if any of you are taking sudafed for allergies and mucinex, lose the seudafed. my ent says both drugs cancel eachother out. go figure, ive been taking sudafed for 2 weeks. no wonder im miserable. :eek:

I'm not even sure if this is a post nasal drip problem or not. It's 11 a.m. now. Since 5:30 a.m. I've been spitting up what appears to be just saliva, about every 20 to 30 seconds. A few hours ago, it caused me to vomit a few times, mucus I think. I took a 24 hour Claratin about 5 hours ago but I'm tempted to take another antihistamine to try to stop it. I (very literally) could have filled up a gallon jug by now. I can't sleep because I can't lay down and if I don't keep spitting, I'd just swallow it all.

Has anyone ever had this problem?

thats what I am talking about- that sounds like a couple of bad nights I have had.

I saw my old allergist the other day. He said it could be my bodies reaction to allergies that the meds aren't taking care of- it behaves like there is a virus or something thus causing the swelling and mucus. Or it could be something up with the sinuses- he ordered a CT scan of those. Or it could be my GERD, so I am getting referred to a GI. Or it could be a combination of all three in which case it depends on how much is what and so forth.

He also said that if it is allergies than I will need allergy shots to help me out. Chaning meds is not going to make much of a difference.

When I vommitting or starting to like that then I take reglan because it helps with motility and that gets food out of my tummy quicker so I'm less likely to throw up.

I know the mucus also gets in my stomach and I've seen it in my stooles too. Is a mucus invasion.

I've read all your posts on this subject and found I have combinations of many of your symptoms. there seems to be a lot of confusion on the subject and so many treatments that could lead to a lifetime of wild goose chases.

I've had post nasal drip (or so I call it) for the past 20 years. I have been prescribed every type of inhaler imaginable and they have been of no help. I just gave up trying.

I am the owner of a Moluccan cockatoo and thought I might be alergic to her, as the "drip" seem to start from the time I acquired her (20 years). I went to an allergist who detected no allergies, but gave a few inhalers to try, none worked.

Then it was suggested by my doctor to see an ENT specialist to find a cause of the post nasal drip. I had scans of my sinuses, but the doctor could find nothing wrong there. And suggested I see an allergist. Even though I had already tried one, I made an appointment with another who detected a
"feather allergy." Ah ha! My bird was the culprit! However, after having her as a pet for 20 years, I can't get rid of her. This doctor also prescribed an inhaler, which not to my surprise, didn't work. My internist suggest I go back to this allergist and see if i can get a "sensitivity shot" for the allergy. I haven't done that yet.

Fast forward to now, when I started having heartburn rather frequently compared to the past. Accompanying the on and off bouts of heartburn, coming after eating or bending over after eating, was a dull pain in my stomach just above the navel. Adding to those two symptoms, was something new. Gagging and choking at night - four five times over the past two months. it would always be the same. I would be dreaming that I was choking, it would become unbearable and would seem like I couldn't breathe and would choke to death. I would struggle to wake up, finally doing so, choking and gagging and having to clear the mucous from my throat. I thought this was buildup from my chronic post nasal drip. Friends suggested sleep apnea, which it sounded a lot like, only not exactly. Too many sleep apnea symptoms not in evidence.

i went to my doctor who thought I might have gallstones. (I only went for the stomach ache and not the gagging--I didn't connect the dots at the time). I also told her about the heartburn. I had a gallbladder doppler imaging which revealed two large gallstones, which were calcified indicating they had been there a while and probably not the cause of my discomfort--so the gallbladder gets to stay, at least for now. However, my upper GI and barium swallow indicated I had a small hiatal hernia, which caused GERD. i also found that with GERD you don't always get heartburn, or acid regurgitation into the throat, like I always thought. My doctor said that my hernia/GERD could also be causing the gagging at night, since the amount of reflux was "significant", going all the way up my esophagus. And this could be worse at night when lying prone.

Now I've started taking prilosec once a day and reglan one hour before going to bed. Small meals more often as opposed to three larger ones per day. Nothing to eat two hours prior to bedtime. And elevating the head of my bed on 6 inch blocks.

Is it the bird? Is it the GERD? Is it the hernia? Is it the drip? is it adult asthma? When you have something wrong with you, sometimes I think a doctor has to also be Sherlock Holmes to find the cause. And doctors these days don't always have the time to do detective work for a condition that patients can "probably" live with.

I've just begun treatment this week, so we'll see what happens to my symptoms. Hope some of this is helpful to sufferers of similar symptoms. :)

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow and I'll let you know what he says. I swear it's just non stop mucous coming out of my mouth. I've vomited a few more times recently, including some food. Don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight.

Hello. Well Ive just started with this annoying cough. At first I tought it was a cold but 3 weeks later and the cough just is getting worse.The doc gave me antibiotics and they where no help. The choking started a few days ago and is a bit scarry. This prompted me to start looking in to it further. I'm going back in to see the doc today because of something I read on the internet. The symptoms are dead on for whooping cough. Now believe me I'm not an alarmest but I've got to tell you I want to be sure. The last thing I want is for my kids to get this stuff. Here is the web link if any one is interested.www.whoopingcough.net

Hey all. Huge relief to see others with similar problem. I frequently get sinus infections, but six weeks ago, I began to get a sore-swelling sensation in my throat and lots of mucus dripping down whenever I worked out. Four weeks ago, it got worse. The mucus increased, sometimes thick. Frequent clearing of my throat has worsened my sore throat.

My doctor is useless. After meeting me for barely two minutes, he put me on antibiotics and nasonex. Both did nothing. Went back after three weeks and he puts me on flonaze and another antibiotic both of which have still done nothing. anyone else have the sore thoat/swelling sensation with this thing?

Someone please let me know.

I saw my allergist for the whole mucus problem/congestion/chronic sinusitius problems. He ordered a CT scan. The CT scan was mostly clear but I do have one small polyup and the tiniest of deviations. So he thought I might like a second opinion from an ENT especially because of the GERD getting in my throat and he is also sending me to a Gastro because of that and because I needed a new one. The allergist says that meds are probably helping me as much as they can. My body is sort of crazy and because of this over reaction to allergies I am now having these responses which are likely to cause the polyup rather than the other way around. So in order to fix it allergy shots are really my best option. I may or may not need to be retested, trying to find old allergy tests.

Gee this sounds familiar. I had a cold and then I noticed I was waking up in the night having a hard time breathing so I was put on meds.
Then I started waking up hyperventatling, and I could not breath feeling like something was stuck...it was horrible.
So then he tells me that it is just building up in my throat and it should pass in a week...but I am starting to worry about it now wondering if this is a sign of something else and now I see others have this.
yikes...

Note to Geoeditor

Not sure about your other symptoms but coughing fits seem the first indicator of Laryngo Pharyngeal Reflux. If you have PND this is also another symptom. Further stages would include sensation of something stuck in throat, burning throat and mouth and throat clearing.

Hope helps

I see where I needed to join this post. I posted another under nasty virus/cold but I am experiencing this same thick mucus in my throat. It started with a dry cough and then went to my sinuses. I also had a fever. At this time, I am still taking antibiotics but I am dealing with this thick mucus in my throat that causes me to choke.

This is getting real old, real fast. I guess that I need to try the mucinex or something. Mine seem to start from a virus.

Well I had a few nights were I did not sleep through but never experienced the choking/breathing issue. I went back and the dr ran tests and all is normal.....I had another episode last night but not nearly as bad. Dr feels it is all part of a virus. I sure hope so...I am so tired of coughing....almsot 4 weeks now. Tired of the breathing issue in the night...been about 3 weeks now and I have only had three nights where it has not been a problem.
like you say...old really fast.

Well, now on week seven and still not much change. Keep getting the post nasal drip, builds up in my throat and I'm always clearing it. Feels like my throat is sore all the time, sometimes even swollen. Third visit to the doctor and he tells me nothing is wrong. Never told me a cause or anything. Said maybe allergies but did not refer me to an allergist.

PLEASE, if there is anyone else with the sore thoat thing and post nasal drip, let me know so I know I'm not going crazy.

I do'nt really have the sore throat thing but I do have the swollen throat which sometimes is worse than others.
Also it affects my voice at times too....
On a good note I had my first night where I did not wake up once last night....but I am still coughing so much during the day.

I go back to my Dr. again next week as he wants to follow up.

twanger, when did you get your virus? It could still be that- or a sinus infection. Those things can last a long time. Mine started after a virus, or what was propabably a virus anyway, about 1.5 years ago.

I have only had this for two weeks so far. It seems to have gotten to a stage where I am just coughing mucous and have a runny nose that is also constant. I don't know when this is going away.

Saw an ENT yesterday. Three weeks of anitiobitcs. Plus they are going to try spraying phenol in my nostrils once a month for three monhts. Sort of cauterizes the sinuses and is supposed to help with the inflamation and prevent more infections. Am trying to find ways to pay for allergy shots.

Post nasal drip (PND). This is the WORST disease ever. Docs don't understand it, people dismiss it..."it's just a minor cold...it'll go away"...and worst of all, it is relentless as hell.

First bout in Summer 2002. Had it for 5 weeks. Had 4 bouts of it between then and now (June 2005). Usually lasts for 3-6 weeks. Currently I'm having a bout that lasted for NINE (9) WEEKS. Tried EVERYTHING - Nasonex, Bendryl, Hydrotherapy, Chinese herbal teas, Chinese bitter tea, Herbon (echinacea cough drops), vapourizer at night, codeine expectorant. Visited 6 different doctors on 10 different occasions. Useless. Went to see an ENT (ear nose throat) specialist. Said I should just stick to hydrotherapy (basically snorting salt water into nose and blowing it out of the mouth). It got worse after seeing the specialist. Nothing works, but I'm not giving up....I'm going back to a doc and ask for several other referrals to ENT docs. There's GOTTA be something for this....it's very common (my mom, dad, and coworker has this).

As for the meds, only stuff with codeine is proven to help for the next 3-5 hours. Only problem is (or blessing) is that you'll be drowsy as hell for that period of time, so you might as well take it before you sleep. I've taken over 1 litre of this stuff - it's the only way for me to live. Maybe it slows down the recovery process, but I doubt it.

ANY IDEAS ARE WELCOME! I AM REALLY IN NEED OF HELP!

cpoony! finally, someone who has something close to what I have been dealing with. People keep dismissing it and it is a pain in the but. Some days are OK, others are brutal. We just had a heatwave last week with high smog levels and the PND really kicked into high gear then.

By the way, Nasonex is useless after three weeks. Anyone know of something else that I can take over the counter?

Okay, don't get too excited yet. I've been trying this regimen out for the past couple days and it's worked pretty well so far.

Ingredients:
-Ratio-Cotridin Expectorant with Pseudoephedrine HCl/Codeine/Guaifen (this is a prescription item, but should have no trouble convincing your doc to prescribe it)
-Benedryl anti-histamines (I use the original brand, no cheap store brands)
-Pickling or Coarse salt (don't use normal table salt, this is different)
-Baking Soda (Arm & Hammer is fine)
-a netipot/aspirator, or whatever you use for hydrotherapy

Ok, this will involve some exercise, so it's best to do it after work at 5pm or some time after dinner at 9-10pm. Schedule at least an hour each day to do this.

1. First, do the normal routine for hydrotherapy:
Add 2-3 heaping teaspoons of salt and 1 teasp baking soda to one pint of water. Squirt using neti pots or nose aspirator to each side of nose while breathing in deeply three times each, blowing the solution out your MOUTH. The solution MUST exit through the mouth, or else it will not be effective. Leave a bit of the solution for gargling. Google "hydrotherapy post nasal drip" for complete instructions.

2. Take 1-2 teaspoons of expectorant/codeine.

3. Take half a pill of Benedryl. Break a pill in half with your fingers, take a piece and slip the other one back inside one of the open bubble packing.

4. Drink about half a cup of water. Rest for 5-10 minutes.

5. Okay, now change into your gym strip (T-shirt and shorts, or track suit if it's raining or cold outside) and go out for an INTENSE run. Run until you can't run anymore and you start to breathe heavily. Walk for a while, and do it again. Repeat for half an hour to an hour, depending on how fit you are.

You may realize that while you're running, the coughing gets worse. It's okay...the codeine/Benedryl will kick in eventually and pretty soon you should stop coughing.

When you return home, take a hot steamy shower or bath.

Comments: I found this regimen helps right after the run, but the real reward is that it calms the drip for the next day, WITHOUT MEDS. It's a lot of work to keep this up, so I only recommend it to the long-sufferer/desperate type, when the conventional stuff by itself have all been tried.

I'm gonna try this for a week, and see what the result is. Will post updates to my condition. WISH ME LUCK!!

I have what seems like the same thing, except I have had this for 6 months! Let us know what finally worked for you when you overcome this crud!

How can you do that nasal hydrotherapy without feeling like you're gagging and drowning? I couldn't get past that part. But somehow I have to. 'They' say there are thousands of cold viruses and that no 2 colds are alike. The worst one I had was where I felt like the first poster, like there was a fist sized wad of saran wrap way down in my throat that was coming undone, leaving me gasping for air. That took 6 weeks to go away, they thought it was bronchitis.

Now I have something that has my left nostril seriously plugged, with the most horrible smell sensation possible up in the adenoid area and back of the throat. That alone is keeping me from sleeping, to the point where the smell is invading my dreams and making me sick in my dreams even more so than in reality. I can hardly stand to inhale because of that sensation. Anyone have this? If so what'd you do about it?? Think that hydrotherapy might get me through this? If so I'll go buy the supplies tonight.

To every one this is hard to live with,sometimes I feel like i am not going to make it.I started out with a sinus infections,then it turn into a ear infection,back in feburary this year,i have sinus infections for 4 years now,(it comes and goesabout 2 times a year.but this year after the ear infection in feburary,i started feeling like i was chocking on something in my throat,it got so bad,i couldn't hardly breath,so went to the hospital,they only treated me for ulcer,later i went to a ear and throat dr,my left ear had swallowen,they cound't tell me why.They use some kind of machine to look down my throat,they said that i didn't have cancer or anything growning in my throat.I do have allergics with pork,penn.mold,and red cedar trees.I am going to dr this week to start allergic shots,i just wish it would go away.When i get the sinus infection i get this bad headache,that lasted 3 months,i can't do anything but lay in the bed,I hate that,can't even watch tv,cause the sound hurts my head.I hope the allergic shots help with my throat,cause september is coming,that when i will have a sinus infection again. Here is to all of us,hope we all get well soon.

for the past 4 months my nose has been running constantly. it drains in the back of my throat a lot. when i hold my head in a down position thin mucous just runs out. i have tried prescription clarinex and it did nothing for me. it is very embarrasing for you nose to start dripping in the middle of a sentence. i dont have a stuffy nose, it is just thin mucous running out. can anyone help

what have you tried?

I don't know if I'm spelling this right but I have SOME relief with chlortirpalon. Comes in pills and liquid. Trys up some of the mucus. Also, hydrotherepy works a little at well. I am now in month number three of this and have heard that some viruses can last for months. The reason I mention this is I had one of the worst bouts of sinisitis/cold in March and I almost wonder if I still have the virus.

I finally have an apointment with an ENT after FOUR visits to my stupid doctor. He thought I was nuts or something. Too bad they don't teach bedside manner as a course in medical school. Sorry to hear about everone elses troubles but it does make me feel better when I check out here and see others are dealing with the same thing as me.

Wow, so many people with this problem! My whole family has the PND, and chronic sinusitus, my 13 yo is home now with it, and 2 have a sore throat, and ears.He's missed alot of school because of it, and my older kids missed alot when they were in school too. I have continuous pnd... but I can't use codine, cant take muconex, I've discovered a generic Claritian for $2.50 a box of 10, I buy a couple a week,I try to get everyone to drink plenty of water, there are 4 in the household... Couldn't count the many times we've seen the doc..they always check for strep.and always prescribe the antibiotics. I've had sinus so bad it affected my teeth, the virtigo is bad, and I hate that gagging, every morning I wake up clearing my throat, it's so annoying. I've had this problem for as long as I remember, I'm begining to think it's enviromental, all the nasty air we have to breath, and I think it has to do with red tide, and the earth changes,seems like it's getting warmer like global warming? It's alarming that so many people have this! Now we have to watch the meds we put in our systems, there has to be a more natural way to control this, like maybe more Vit C? Zinc? Get ride of the sugars ect. Anyway maybe a Dr. with this problem will do some research and find a cure for this mess.

Oh to add, a virus doesn't respond to antibiotics... I'm sure everyone knows this.just make sure your doc tells you whether its a bacterial or virus.

With all the variations of post nasal drip described on this board, I haven't seen anything like what I have in the early mornings. I wake up feeling like I need to swallow a thick string in my throat, but which has no end. Trying to swallow gags me, but the string is still there, so I keep gagging over and over. Eventually I usually swallow it, but for 30 minutes or so the stringy feeling is pretty continuous. I can see two strings of mucous disappearing down my throat. The only thing that various OTC or RX medicine seems to do is make the mucous even thicker and thus gags me even harder. This has been going on for several years now. Since I can't seem to dry up the stringy drip, I've tried to supress my gag reflex by getting my girlfriend to slide her finger further and further into my throat to build up my gag tolerance but even that hasn't helped. I've never vomited, but do get watery eyes I gag so much some mornings. Twice I have actually finger gagged myself and thrown up to try to get the stringy stuff out of my throat which does help for a little bit, and then starts over. Has anybody else had my type of experience?

I too have cronic congestion caused by Sinusitus. My Dr. gave me this home remedy==equal parts in a teaspoon, one part ground horse/radish and one part lemon juice. It really cuts the phlem in throat. Its pretty potent, but does the job.

I came to this site because of a search and found a post on Sinus Flooding by the user "Beerzoids". I must tell you guys that I had the same symptoms that he did - chronic allergies that lead to monthly sinus infections and antibiotics were not working so good and I constantly burped and had heartburn with Biaxin. Since I read Beerzoid's post on Sinus Flooding, I am a new person. The same concept as what you guys are doing by rinsing your sinuses, but with Baking Soda and Peroxide added. Check out the discussion on Sinus Flooding for the directions and recipe at http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=139765&highlight=Sinus+Flooding.

My nasal drip, choking, and stomach aches from the excessive mucous are so much better after Sinus Flooding. Beerzoids also suggested the flooding in conjunction with an antibiotic for really bad sinus or upper respiratory infections.

DMtustin,

That's an interesting home remedy! Did you have much choking/gagging with your post nasal drip ?

Oh i got an ebook a couple of months ago that was great at the remedy they put in there it didn't work so fast as they say in less than 24 hours you get rid of the sinusitis but it started to relief the symptoms of the sinusitis and as of now i don't have anymore problems with that. Thanks god no more pressure in the head. I didn't have to go on surgery or antibiotics... i was afraid i was going to end going for a surgery.

the page is www.clearyoursinus.com i think there is another one offering some remedy very similar but i tried this one and it worked pretty good.

So jhonnh why don't you tell us what the remedy is so that we don't all have to buy the book. How fast did it help you and what did you do?

Well it has been a while since I checked out the board. PND is back this spring and now I have a cough. Finally got into see a specialist and I'm having surgery tomorrow to straighten a deviated septum. She thinks this will not only help me breath better but also will reduce the PND symptoms. I'm also going to see an allergist soon. I'll let all know how this turns out over the next month or two.

P.S., this John guy above conveniently left out the name of his remedy. Maybe some one was looking for some free advertising.

I also suffer from what most of you talk about. Have for years but has gotten worse lately. Several trips to doctors and meds produced no positive results. A barium swallow showed no throat restrictions and so far no meds or remedies have helped. The mucous stuck in the back of my throat just seems to get worse with age. I am 38 now and have suffered a long time. Started feeling short of breath about 3 weeks ago. Little sleep, and waking up with panic attacks. Went to E.R. where doc said I had bacterial pneumonia. Lots of meds and breathing treatments for three weeks and still no better. Back to E.R. yesterday at noon with lots of other symptoms. Mucous in throat and gagging, not being able to swallow, shortness of breath, muscle cramps, dizziness and feeling that I may pass out. Missing alot of work over this and fear losing job which I hate anyway. Different doc said I never had pnuemonia and was misdiagnosed. Said I had classic syptoms of anxiety and panic attacks which causes the throat to feel closed up and the feeling of not being able to breath, plus a lot of the other sypmptoms I am having. Started taking Buspar this morning for anxiety, but it takes a while to work, so wont know for awhile if this doc was correct. I will follow up with regular physician to get a second opinion. You all keep your heads high and don't give up. We all have some things in common. We just have to find a common thread and a doctor that knows what the solution is. PND, Anxiety? A combination of both? We will figure it out some day. Take care.
Cat

For many years I thought that my gagging and coughing were related to post nasal drip, but I went to an ENT and he said it was due to GERD. Now I haven't had much relief because I refuse to take Prilosec or other acid inhibitors, but I am suprised that you weren't checked for that. I was having inner ear fullnes and pain as well as dizzy spells and he said it was all related.
Just a thought...

Lori

Hi guys, I just read your posts and I am also dealing with the same problems--trouble swallowing. Seems to be better some days and worse others. The problem just started for me within the past month. I have had the barium test and and endoscope. Both negative. The next step is a visit to an allergist to see if I am allergic to specific foods or environmental irritants. It is an unusually bad allergy season where I live and it is thought to be the cause. It sucks because it is causing me to lose weight and I am skinny enough. I love to eat and it's causing panic and anxiety. I feel your pain and misery loves company. There is a remedy out there and I'm sure we'll find it. Keep me updated and let me know what you think.

I have the exact same problem as you! I am vomiting as many as 15 times within 24 hours, even waking up in the middle of the night to vomit. Food stays down most of the time. My GP and ENT cannot find a reason for it. If you have any luck figuring out how to stop this from happening please post it!
Thanks and good luck!

I hope I can help somebody-I had similiar symptons--turns out it is pertussis--whooping cough.. Yes- there have been increased outbreaks in the last few years--it's called the 100 day cough--I'm over the contagious part but I've had the cough for over 7 months! Most doctors misdiagnose it--thinking its a virus and don't prescribe antibiotics. After thinking I might have lung cancer or TB I concluded I had pertussis and went to an infectious disease specialist. Infants have their shots and then children get a booster to start school. No ever worried about it but now they know your immunity lessens eacj year and even young adults are getting it--the younger you are--the less serious it is. I'm 63 so my immunity ran out about 40 years ago. Even you don't have it everyone should start getting the vaccine every 10 years. First I was told I had post nasal drip, then just a virus. It took three months to properly diagnose it.

Hi It Could Very Well Be Acid Reflux I Had It Really Bad And It Causes Sinus Problems, And That Feeling Of Soemthing Stuck In My Throat I COULDNT EVEN EAT FOR 3 MONTHS, IT WAS HORRIBLE AND LITTLE DID I KNOW IT WAS ACID REFLUX IT BURNS UP YOUR SINUS CAVITY IF IT REFLUXES UP THERE, I EEN HAD TO GO ON ANXIETY MEDS BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULD CHOKE WHEN I STARTED EATING AGAIN AFTER BEING ON 2 NEXIUMS A DAY MY THROAT IS FINE AND THE CHOKING FEELING WENT AWAY, NEXIUM DID THE TRICK.

Somebody has got to have some kind of answer for this cause I cant deal with it I have had sever chronic anxiety and agoraphobia derealization and panic attacks for 5 years now and it has taken over my life and if that was not bad enough now I have a even worse problem for the past 6 months I have had really bad post nasal drip in my throat causing me to GAG!! Really bad and have even more extreme anxiety and panic attacks and making it so I cant eat without gagging or hardly anything but it went down for a couple of weeks and now its back but it’s a 100 times worse now im to the point im wheezing with constant mucus stuck in my throat and I wake up with my mouth dry and if I take a antihistamine it makes my mouth even more dry and I cant breath!! Making me have extreme chronic anxiety I cant sleep I cant hardly do anything or even breath or swallow !! please help !!! :confused:

Most of you have acid reflux of a form called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). It is treatable with 2 doses of a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) each day. It is a permanent condition, but the symptoms can be relieved with adequate PPI therapy.

If you have a chronic cough or feeling of lump in the throat or asthma-like symptoms that cannot be treated, go do a little research on "laryngopharyngeal reflux" and you will be surprised. You can get PPIs from your PCP.

Get checked out for GERD or LPR acid reflux disease. Your symptoms sound like one of the above.:p

Hi it probably is acid reflux for instance I ran out of my nexium for acid last night and today i woke up with so much mucus and post nasal drip, it was unreal do you know that the acid burns up the nasal cavity and causes mucos/post nasal drip, there is much info online about this, but if I were you i would try prilosec OTC for a week or so just to see if the problem calms down, if not i would go to a doc and get a stronger antacid...also if you have LPR you would need to take 2 acid pills a day so if this mess persists go see your gastroenterologist and he can tell you how bad your problem is good luck to you. by the way I have lpr and take 2 nexium a day and barely ever have mucus anymore.

I hope people are still visiting this thread because I need help!!!

Every morning when I wake I have to cough for about 2 hours before I feel like I've brought up the mucous that has collected during the night. Sometimes I can cough it up (it's usually clear to very slight yellow) and only then can I speak properly, sort of. It affects my voice an awful lot and during these first 2 hours my voice will go every way you can imagine, up, down, croaky, disappear etc.

Then if I'm walking for more than say 3 minutes then my voice will disappear, it's like it's dried out and nothing to clear it with. Chewing gum and rest saves me sometimes. This happens in air-conditioned environments too. It's really embarrassing especially when I used to work because I wouldn't be able to speak after a while.

I always feel a lump in my throat. I don't have any pains or heartburn or allergies at all. I'm absolutely fine except that I have this morning coughing and random voice disappearances and it never works well. I can't shout and would never do a job that includes the phone. I can't live anywhere that I have to walk and no one likes someone violently coughing at 6am to make sure it's clear before work. Eeeep I'm 20 and I've had this since 17. Help help help, I'm so sick and tired of it!!!!

I went to see the doctor and I had antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray for 2 months which did nothing. My thyroid is fine. Now I'm waiting to be see by an ENT specialist. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm waiting to have my neti pot delivered and so I'm gonna try this and I think I'll buy the Hydropulse too. I've just bought some Benadryl and Gaviscon tablets, going to try my first tablets tonight and see what happens. Thinking of making myself vomit to clear the morning mucous but I really don't want to have to do that.

I would really appreciate any replies at all.

Andrew

Andrew,

You have the CLASSIC symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), which is a form of GERD (gastro-esophogeal reflux). Basically, the acid in your stomach is refluxing all the way into your throat. I have NO DOUBT based on your description that you have LPR.

I know this is what you have because sensation of "lump in the throat" plus "chronic cough" are 2 classic symptoms of LPR.

So you need to go and visit the Acid Reflux message board. Then you need to get to an ENT and Gastroenterologist in your closest metropolitan city. Small-town docs and suburban docs don't see enough LPR to make heads or tails of it. Pick a teaching hospital in an urban area.

If you are in Maryland, Delaware, NJ, NY, or CT, please see the sticky on the top of the Acid Reflux board for some doctor names. Otherwise, purchase a Castle Connely list of best doctors for your area.

You need to see an ENT to "get scoped", and you need a gastro to do an endoscopy.

You also can hopefully relieve your symptoms by taking 2 doses of a max-strength proton pump inhibitor each day (PPI).

For instance, you can take Nexium, Prilosec Brand, Aciphex, or Zegerid, 2x per day.

This should help your symptoms significantly. In best case scenarios, they will completely relive the problem. Sometimes they relieve it to a degree./

Hi aswader great posts as usual!:)

anyway guys aswander is great, her posts helped me out so much when I had no idea i had LPR, you definately should do as she says and get scoped and after that 2 PPI's a day will help enourmously, and yes visit a godo teaching hospital, i went to cleveland clinic and they were great! godo luck

Thank you so much, I'm even starting to cry. It's just restricted me for so long and I search for just 2 months and I get your reply. You are a Godsend and I don't even believe in God!!

It is so sweet of you to write that and I've been waiting for so long to hear a reason for what I have because when I tell people they think I'm making it up or it's in my head.

I'm writing down everything you've said and I'm gonna insist whatever the doctor says that I get what you've said. I live in the UK so at least I won't have to travel so far to get a good doctor, you poor state travellers :P hehe just kidding. You've made me so happy, I want to be able to give you something. Here's a cyber hug *********MASSIVE HUG************

I really appreciate with all my heart you replying. I'll keep you informed cos I want to live!!!

All my love,

Andrew

xxXxx

Andrew,
Wow! What a reply! I guess that by now you've gone and independently researched "laryngopharyngeal reflux", if not - please do. There's loads of information on the internet about it.

Since you live in the UK, you need to be aware that the medications I listed are typically sold under different brand names than in the U.S. You might want to figure out those brand names before you go to a doctor. Since you think that LPR is a distinct possibility, I also want to recommend that you start with the PPI called Nexium (don't know the UK equivalent name, or if there is one).

Nexium, time and time again, becomes the PPI of choice for people with LPR. I don't know why exactly, it has a slight structural difference, but it should be the first (and hopefully last) PPI that you try in treating this condition. You will need to immediately begin taking 2 doses of the 40 mg Nexium every day. I highly recommend taking the 2 doses together first thing in the morning. If after 30 days no improvement, then switch to one in the morning and one in the evening. One thing you will learn is that everyone responds somewhat differently to the meds and timing of the meds, so you may need to experiment. Should meds ultimately fail or be inadequate, there are surgical options to explore. Still, the Nexium 2x per day is the best way to start. Beware - most doctors (at least in the US) have relationships with pharma sales people and these relationships affect which drugs they prescribe to their patients. You may need to be highly vocal about insisting on Nexium. Because if the Dr likes the Aciphex rep better, then he's gonna fight you on it. But hopefully you'll see a top top doctor in the UK - and here's one to go to who "gets it": My doctor is one of the leading authoritieis on LPR in the U.S. and his co-author on his latest book is from England. Perhaps you can contact him - John Rubin. I pulled the following quote from one of my old posts:

"I learned that this doctor, Robert Sataloff (the head of the practice I go to in Philadelphia) just published the latest edition titled "Diagnosis and Treatment of Voice Disorders" in May 2006 and his co-author is John Rubin, M.D., from the U.K. Sounds like he is the go-to guy in your country for this stuff, and maybe if you can't visit him, perhaps his practice can point you in the right direction locally."

John S. Rubin, M.D., is a Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon at The Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital Division of The Royal Free NHS Trust, where he is the Lead Clinician of the Voice Disorders Unit as well as Clinical Director. He is also a Consultant ENT Surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Honorary Senior Lecturer at University College London and Visiting Associate Professor at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

I also pulled the following from another of my old posts at the acid reflux board. I believe the article I reference is available online if you search for it:

"Hi everyone, On May 16th, 2006, the publication GI Motility Online published an exhaustive article titled "Laryngeal and pharyngeal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease", written by regory N. Postma, M.D. and Stacey L. Halum, M.D.This is the most complete and exhautive article detailing LPR I have ever read. Given it's publication date, it is also up-to-date. Read it while it's still available. I was very pleased to see how it categorized LPR into different states - minor, major, and life-threatening. The authors truly recognize the differences between GERD and LPR and go as far as to say they are related, but unique entities, and LPR can be further segmented by severity. It also discusses treatment for each level of LPR.
I think this is the article that you've been dreaming about - to give to your friends and family so they really understand what you are going through with this nasty disease."


Andrew - you are so young to be going through this, I really do feel for you. I was 28 when I was diagnosed 4 years ago, and I really thought my world was about to end. But about 85% of us with LPR get very good results with pharma/surgical management. I pray that you are one of those!

Best,
aswander

Hi, i actually take my 2 nexiums before going to bed, since I get such bad reflux at night... my dentist said it even made holes between my teeth ad gums, i have needed 3 crowns so far, the acid melts gums and the teeth, I had no idea I also used to get blisters in my mouth in the morning also from the acid, so now i take them both at night and it works, but by the afternoon i could feel the reflux coming up, so nexium does help alot but itd oesnt get rid of my problem completely, hopefully one day they will come up with better meds, but for now nexium is the best one round. good luck

Hi JennyVee,

The same thing has happened to me with the mouth acid - the enamel is melting off my teeth. My bottom molars have nearly smooth surfaces - my dentist tells me I'm in for some crowns pretty soon in the future.

At first my dentist asked if I had ever been bulimic, because she usually sees this type of damage only on your women who had a history of bulimina (from the acid in their vomit). I have never never ever been bulimic, so I just gave her an article on LPR so she could learn more about it.

My insurance will only pay for 1 crown a year - so I don't know how I'll afford the rest if the all "come due" at the same time. I actually asked her if she can begin doing the crowns now, so I can get 1 a year before the damage has reached the turning point. She kind of laughed, but I'm kind of serious. Crowns are expensive!

Another fantastic reply :D I really appreciate you writing all this, it's helped me massively.

Before you wrote the first reply I bought a Neti Pot thinking that my problem could be sinus related. If you don't know what a Neti Pot is, do a Google Image search and have a 10 minute laughing fit at it's weirdness. Trust me, if you never have the need to do it, don't! lol. It's very bizarre. But it does really clear your sinuses, I've done it 3 times now, once in the morning and once in the evening and when I get Nexium I'll stop doing it and see what happens, if it actually did do something.

Anyway, something very very weird happened this morning. I bought some Gaviscon (very basic take off the shelf acid tablets I'm sure you know) so I took 4 last night before going to bed. 4 is apparently the average maximum but more doesn't really do harm, and this morning I woke up... I didn't have the morning cough!!! I don't know whether this was a luck thing or a fluke but I'm going to try the same tonight and see what happens. It's the first time in more than 3 years!! My throat didn't feel mucus-y until now at 10:30pm, it's getting a bit thick-ish. I was very weirded out by it today. If it works tomorrow I'm going to do a test and walk around the supermarket and see if I can talk by the time I get to the checkout (I usually can't). It's made me believe that I definitely have LPR and my faith has been restored, it's thanks to you.

I'll write here tomorrow to say if the Gaviscon works tonight too. I'm not sure though whether to tell the doctor that the Gaviscon had this effect on me (presuming it works tonight too) because he might say, well let's go on a basic drug... and I don't want that, I want it to be powerful and get rid of it all completely. I'll be aggressive in asking for Nexium. I've been reading that Prevacid has some horrible side effects so I'll make sure I get Nexium.

I can't believe that the answer could be this simple. How could I let this go on for 3 years and lead me into depression and away from social life? It all seems so easy... I'm annoyed yet very very very happy. OMG the prospect of a life?!?!?!?!? Argh!!! I've turned down moving in with someone because of this and I said I wanted to get it sorted first so this could truly be a new beginning. Rest assured aswander, that you have changed my life and although we're only connected on this forum, you'll always be in my heart as the one that brought life back to me. I feel a ballad coming on... hehe Oooh I know, whenever I hear Evanescence and Bring Me to Life from now on, you will be in my thoughts. I know it's weird talking like this to you over the Internet but seriously you have shown me where life lies... in Nexium!!! All hail Nexium!!!

I'll stop lol

Andrew

Nexium is my drug of choice in my GERD battle. I was born with bad GERD. In elementary school I went through a period where I was throwing up everyday before I got medicated. Then after a while I off of meds until I was in high school. At this point I was taking tums and roloids like candy- I would go through one of those little tubs every week.

I take nexium at night. I also take reglan. And I take zantac as needed. If I do these things and follow the other basic precautions I can breathe. I do not drink cafinated sodas, especailly not before bed. If I do have caffeine (and I do occasionally) then I only have a certain amount before I just say no. It upset the tummy. No peppermint- it makes GERD worse. Soda in general- the carbonation and all that is not good for GERD. Spicey food not good, acididic food are not good.

One thing that is good is ginger. Ginger tea or flat ginger ale can be helpful. Personally I like ginger tea or I mix some ginger extract that I buy in with other stuff or even fresh ginger. Ginger is known for its GI properties. Chamomile can also be rather helpful.

Of course, so can weight loss. I need to lose weight too.

If I don't take my meds or if my heart burn gets bad enough I can't breath. The acid gets into my lungs and is the worst possible asthma trigger for me. As a teenager it was my hidden tormentor. Its some serious stuff.

Well I tried 4 tablets of Gaviscon last night and although it didn't have the massive effect it had on me the night before, this morning when I woke, after about 30 minutes of coughing, it was clear which is a big improvement from the 2 hours I usually go through. I think maybe it didn't have the same effect because I ate brown rice about an hour and a half before going to bed. So I'm gonna keep taking 4 tablets of Gaviscon before bed until I see the doctor.

But I tried today going to the supermarket and seeing if my voice would work by the time I got to the checkout. It didn't. I can see it helping with me not having to cough in the morning, but how is it affecting me when I walk? I don't understand what's happening and I could almost put up with the morning cough if my voice wouldn't disappear after walking.

My throat goes completely dry and when I try to speak, nothing and I mean nothing at all will come out. It's not accompanied by anything else like heartburn or loss of breath, it's just that my throat dries up and nothing will come out. It's just bizarre. Is this part of the LPR do you think? What does walking do to my throat? I hope there's an answer for this as well as the morning cough. Maybe it's laryngitis....? But then how can laryngitis be choosy and only choose to make my voice disappear after walking?

I'm quite quite quite very tired.

Andrew

I do have allergics with pork,penn.mold,and red cedar trees.I am going to dr this week to start allergic shots,i just wish it would go away.When i get the sinus infection i get this bad headache,that lasted 3 months,i can't do anything but lay in the bed,I hate that,can't even watch tv,cause the sound hurts my head.I hope the allergic shots help with my throat,cause september is coming,that when i will have a sinus infection again. Here is to all of us,hope we all get well soon.

Interesting I have mold allergy as well and didn't know I was exposing myself to molds. This kicked in my sinusitis symptoms big time along with a host of other symptoms sending me to the ED with heart palpitations.

After being in a mold infested home I am now environmentally sensitive. Right now I am sick with some crud that is a result of a weakened immune system and being in a room where there is new carpet. The carpet is off gasing VOC's and therein lies my current problem. At least I am out of the mold but not away from all my problems.

I think you have something very similar to what I have. With me it started out as a bad cough for like a week. After that I had like build up or congestion in my throat or something. When I try to swallow my saliva (like a simple gulp, an involentary reaction for the most part) it causes problems. It's like the build up keeps it from going down and it triggers these attacks that I've been having. They mainly occur at night. I'll get up coughing and gasping for air. It's like my windpipe starts to close up and I'm struggling to inhale. Eventually I'll get myself together and catch my breath. That's when I start to spit a whole lot and burp real bad (which feels real good) These attacks also occur when I'm awake but they're not as bad. I feel the build up and I'll just try to swallow my own spit to try and make the build up go down. (I wish I could just spit it all out but I can't) Sometimes it goes down with no problems, sometimes it won't and I'll just burp. But every now and then throughout the day it'll cause me to cough and gasp for air followed by spitting and burping. I have no problems swallowing food or water but why would saliva not go down? This has been going on for like 2 weeks.
I still have the attacks but they're not as bad or frequent. I have my good days and bad days. The build up is still there but I think it's slowly going away. I'm not as afraid to sleep at night as I was at first. I hope this goes away soon........

I think you have something very similar to what I have. With me it started out as a bad cough for like a week. After that I had like build up or congestion in my throat or something. When I try to swallow my saliva (like a simple gulp, an involentary reaction for the most part) it causes problems. It's like the build up keeps it from going down and it triggers these attacks that I've been having. They mainly occur at night. I'll get up coughing and gasping for air. It's like my windpipe starts to close up and I'm struggling to inhale. Eventually I'll get myself together and catch my breath. That's when I start to spit a whole lot and burp real bad (which feels real good) These attacks also occur when I'm awake but they're not as bad. I feel the build up and I'll just try to swallow my own spit to try and make the build up go down. (I wish I could just spit it all out but I can't) Sometimes it goes down with no problems, sometimes it won't and I'll just burp. But every now and then throughout the day it'll cause me to cough and gasp for air followed by spitting and burping. I have no problems swallowing food or water but why would saliva not go down? This has been going on for like 2 weeks.
I still have the attacks but they're not as bad or frequent. I have my good days and bad days. The build up is still there but I think it's slowly going away. I'm not as afraid to sleep at night as I was at first. I hope this goes away soon........