Can allergies cause lots of mucus in chest and sweating?

[nfrog]

It's so embarrassing and hard to live with. My mouth is just full of thick saliva/mucus, my breath stinks and I am so short of breath and sweating. Tried a million different elimination diets and treatment for GERD (which makes it worse). Can asthma cause these symptoms?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Some people do get a lot of mucus with asthma, but it doesn't seem to be a main feature of asthma itself, unless people get a lot of infections and/or have bronchiectasis as well.

Sweating can happen with asthma, but usually with an infection or when someone is having an attack and really struggling. Have you already been diagnosed with asthma? Or are you wondering if your symptoms could be asthma as opposed to something else?

Either way it sounds like you need to go back to the GP asap. It sounds like this is ongoing if you've been trying multiple diets etc and you haven't got to the bottom of it. You could also give the helpline a call after Easter and chat to the nurses - they can't diagnose you, but may be able to suggest things to discuss with your GP: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[nfrog in reply to Lysistrata]

I've always had asthma but don't take any meds for it as most of the symptoms I get don't seem related to asthma at all. I have symptoms almost head to toe but because they are so vast my doctor just puts it down to mental health. There is not even a smidgen or part of me that feels that way. I have been so ill for so long.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to nfrog]

Can you see a different doctor? They really shouldn't be just putting everything down to mental health that way without bothering to investigate. And if they did think it was MH-related, they should still be doing something about it! I've been really annoyed with doctors in the past who've said oh it's psychological but then haven't even tried to help with that - what so that's ok to leave someone to suffer, regardless of why??

Even if not everything you experience is due to asthma, it would be worth getting back on an asthma treatment that works for you. Being short of breath could be from the asthma at least partly, and I should have said before that you can still produce mucus with asthma - just maybe not as much as you're getting. Getting the asthma side sorted could also help you work out what's left.

I would see a different GP if possible, and as I mentioned, talk to the asthma nurses on the helpline after Easter. They're good with practical advice on how to approach doctors, and can ask what tests you've had/what to discuss with your GP.

[nfrog in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks again for the reply. I will try to get some asthma medication prescribed next time I go to the doctor. I have spoken to many different people throughout the years to no avail and after a long time with absolutely no relief, a few other things happened in my life which really got on top of me causing depression. Eventually I ended up getting put on anti-psychotics and even sectioned for a 6 weeks! I was released with no aftercare and it's just labelled as health anxiety. I find it so insulting. Does the helpline take messages on WhatsApp or is it just calls?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to nfrog]

Sorry, been away so just seen this. That sounds really awful I hope you can get somewhere with finding out what's going on! They do also do WhatsApp yes - 0300 2225800 for phone or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[tedromie]

Hi i was like this and have found that Dairy was the main cause and it has been life changing cutting it out x

[nfrog in reply to tedromie]

Thank you for the reply. There have been times I have been dairy free for months at a time on elimination diets and I didn't notice any difference. With that said, any dairy I do have is lactose-free now.

[Myasthma1]

Hello I don't know about your allergies but lete tell you about mine are allergic to dust and dust mites and cat dander it make me have mucus plemn back of my throat it always affects me while I'm at work because there's not alot of dusting done and offices are carpeted which accumulates dust and dust mite it's the protein in the husks nd feaces I'm allergic to so leaves me coughing and losing my voice hope this helps

[Myasthma1 in reply to Myasthma1]

but I'm not allergic to pollen

[strongmouse]

Being allergic to inhalants - pollen dust mite, etc. - can cause excessive mucus and make you feel ill. Likely also to cause rhinitis (inflammation of nose) and possible asthma. Allergy or intolerance to cow's milk can cause similar.

It is worth asking for a referral for allergy testing. in the NHS this is usually skin patch testing. Allergy UK have a wide range of information - allergyuk.org/types-of-alle...

[d2read]

Also you might want to check with your dentist to make sure you don't also have a problem in your mouth itself, around your tonsils, etc. There can be "hidden" sources of infection that can also complicate treatment.

One thing that helps me a great deal is to use sinus rinses three times a day with two salt packets in the bottle (or pot) each time. (Make sure to use boiled, cooled water to ensure there aren't any microorganisms hiding in there, and to sterilize the bottle/pot each day and let it drip-dry.)

The saline helps loosen and flush out the thick mucous and the saline also helps discourage bad things from growing while keeping a hospitable environment for what should be there. I do it in the morning when I first get up, in the afternoon (I work from home, which makes it easier but you can get bottles of sterile water and a second kit for your office), and at bedtime.

However, I do it at least an hour before going to bed so the secretions have plenty of time to drain before I lie down. It really makes a huge difference.