Lung pain from choking?

[Hyellen]

Hello! About a week ago I choked on my blueberry smoothie. It was surprisingly very intense and I coughed harder than I ever have. So the day after, I felt like I had been kicked in the chest, and now, a week later, I’m still left with lung achiness. My doctor said to wait it out for a few weeks, but it’s really stressing me out! Has anyone ever experienced this? Did it resolve itself? I mean, even if I aspirated the smoothie, and some is in my lungs, it’s not like it can be removed. Can the lungs work the finer particulate out? Thank you!!!

[2greys]

If you are a non or ex-smoker then yes, the lungs have a way of clearing out foreign matter via mucus being wafted out by the cilia. If you are a smoker then it is a different story each cigarette paralyses the cilia for one hour which means any foreign matter remains in your lungs and that can go on to lead to an infection. Which is exactly why those with lung disease need to quit smoking or face increased progression of their disease.

Basically, there is no need to worry.

I suffer terrible pain just from one solitary sneeze as well as from coughing which leaves a dull ache for days afterwards.

[Hyellen in reply to 2greys]

Thank you for the response :0). That puts my mind at ease - I’m 44 and have never experienced this before! And yes, I’m a non-smoker. I’m just surprised after a week it’s still achy. I will give it more time! Thank you ;0) .

[Lily-]

Hi, I had this happen to me when I choked on a tiny piece of potato & had to go to A&E. They gave me a chest x-ray which unsurprisingly didn't show anything. Like you I coughed so much & so hard that I felt that I'd been kicked brutally in the chest & my throat was very sore & mucus was often stained with blood from my throat. The severe pain in my lungs lasted over a week then gradually became less but I coughed for 2 wks bringing up clear mucus until eventually one morning I coughed & out came what looked like the offensive obstruction & all the coughing just disappeared. It was a completely exhausting experience & very frightening. A medical person told me that they could of used suction to remove it, it certainly would of saved a lot of pain & distress. I completely empathize & hope that it solves itself quickly for you. All the best Lily

[Hyellen]

Thank you Lily for your story! I guess the lungs can heal themselves after all! It is scary and so odd. I just wish I knew what was causing the pain - left over food, or just damage from the coughing. I don't have any kind of phlegm that I'm coughing up, so I'm assuming I just did a number with the severity of the cough. Lung issues are no fun! I feel terrible for people within this forum with chronic issues.