bronchestaxis and throat problems

[marlee]

does bronchestaxis make you constantly clear your throat..was diagnosed nine months ago but my main problem now is the constant need to clear my throat. driving me and the family mad trying to clear throat every four to five minutes.. this is allways worse at night

[diesel12]

Don't know enough to be able to answer you but someone will be along soon.  I have also started doing this recently. The nurse gave me some tablets yesterday to help thin the mucus but unfortunately I can't take them due to a stomach ulcer

[tbeth]

I have bronchiectasis and have the same problem. I participated in a study in the U.S. and that was one of the questions they asked. Mine is worse at night also.

[Armadillo57]

I have it and I'm the same.  I was told to sniff water to clear the nasel passages but it's a killer but it works.  I'm also on a nasal spray. 

One thing I found to work was a pot I bought from the chemist I can't remember the name it was similar to a netty pot, put a saline solution add water then insert into each nostril tilting your head to allow the fluid to depart from the other nostril.  This clears it. I bought it from Lloyds so Boots will have it the solution you can also get on the Internet.

[ostiad]

Hi marlee, yes I have this too;  my doctor told me to stop doing it, saying it's like a habit  and I will irritate my throat and said my husband needs to tell me to stop it everytime he hears me!  I'm aware that It comes on worse with me if I'm upset or stressed. I started using NeilMed Sinus/Saline Nasal Rinse, which does help with the post nasal drip. To be honest it annoys me too, however, if I don't clear my throat the mucus just sits there high up in my throat, almost in my mouth. June 

[sheenaR]

I to have bronchiectasis wake up at least 8 times in  the night with a burning sore throat and need to keep clearing it in the daytime I keep a cup of cold water in the fridge with ice cubes find this helps a lot throughout the day few cold sips  when it starts seems to ease it a lot also take it  to bed with me to sip throughout the night

[Hidden]

I find sleeping at an angle helps & manuka honey 10+ costs about £12.99 per jar but lasts 2 months helps a lot & manuka honey is a natural antibiotic too. I take 2 teaspoons per day one morning one at night. 

[Hidden]

Hi there Marlee, bronchiectasis is often associated with the destruction of the tiny hairs in the nasal passages which help to protect the sinuses from infection. This often results in chronic post nasal drip, which is fluid dropping down the back of your throat from your sinuses. It collects in your throat and at the top of your chest, hence the need to keep clearing your throat. You can get drops to help this but as it is really bad for you I suggest that you see an ENT consultant. I had a procedure on my sinuses 20 years ago which stopped it. Also, make sure that you have cleared your chest really well before you go to bed. Otherwise the sneaky stuff starts clamouring to come up.

[lynnekay]

My friend does this and she has bronchiectasis - don't know the reason though, as she says there's no phlegm there. Apparently she's done it since childhood and I wonder if it's partly habit now (she's 84!)

[Magpuss]

As far as I know, I don't have bronchestaxis but I've had this same problem for about a month now, ever since having a really bad cold. I get really thick, clear mucus at the back of my mouth/top of my throat and coughing doesn't really shift it, in fact when I cough it sounds and feels like a dry cough coming from my chest, rather than my throat. I can't cough anything up but when I'm leaning forward and brushing my teeth, I've been able to get rid of loads of this mucus, with no effort or coughing - that's how I know that it's 'clear'. I don't understand why leaning forward when I'm not brushing my teeth doesn't produce the same results, but there you are! Anyway......being fed up with losing so much sleep through coughing in the night, I thought I'd get some Bronchostop cough medicine and give it a try - and I have to say, that after two days of taking the recommended dose + a couple of Bronchostop pastilles the first night, it seems to be working for me, which is basically why I'm replying to this post. Thought it might be worth you trying too.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Marlee, I too have bronchiectasis and have suffered in the past from this very annoying cough.  Firstly I was told that non-productive coughing is very bad for bronchs so to stop this by drinking more water and sucking cough sweets, peppermints etc or chewing gum, anything in fact which will keep the throat moist.  Secondly if it a sinus problem, mine was, then clearing out the sinuses with Sterimar a nasal rinse will help.  You can clear out your sinuses up to 8 times per day without damaging anything (my ENT specialist told me this).  I hope this helps and you can stop this annoying cough.  Good luck and take care.  Maximonkey

[marlee]

thank for the info not sure if the throat clearing is a separate problem or all connected with bronche will have to ask the physio next time I go

[Hidden]

Im the same it drives me crazy the more i try not to do it the worse it is i suppose it must be part of the delights of having copd 

[Hidden]

As SS suggests, I'd ask for an ENT referral. Or if you've not tried one, ask GP for a steroid nasal inhaler. I use Nasonex (mometasone fuorate) & without it I'd be constantly clearing my throat. PND is a feature of bronch. It's fine to use a steroid nasal spray as well as an oral one. Also, make sure you do your physio really well, if there's any "stuff" left at the top of your lungs it will irritate your throat at night