Throat Wheeze ongoing

[LuWil]

Hi, I have read the many asthma related posts with interest and have certainly found many comments helpful. I have recently been hospitalized for unresponsive asthma. I have done everything to address my situation. Second round of steroids in progress, carbocistine, simbicort, salbutamol nebulising, saline nebulising, huffing. ( This is very edited!)

However I continue with a throat wheeze, sometimes what feels like stubborn mucous, and a rasping rattle in my upper right side. Lungs are clear. Just started on Beconase for Post nasal drip and am drinking apple cider vinegar with honey. Nothing breaks that mucous which although there is some productive coughing after nebulising, the wheezing and rattle continue. I have looked up paratracheal cyst however the ENT completely dismissed the idea. The symptoms are similar and a friend had an almost identical journey and was diagnosed with one. She had a successful surgical procedure , has her voice back, no rasping or wheezing. I have also been diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, which is affecting my voice. I am extremely frustrated as I am taking more and more medication with little result. My actual admission to hospital was successful in treating the asthma,, however I was discharged with the the upper left wheeze but of course it was assumed the steroids would do the trick. On admission peak flow was around 180, and oxygen was a bit low apparently, that all responded quite quickly fortunately. Back to back nebulising, oxygen and of course the steroids did their thing however the throat wheeze and upper right chest rattle continue to plague me. This unfortunately is now affecting my sleep. Not sure if all this made sense. I would be interested in hearing any similar experiences and especially if there are any suggestions on how to deal with it.

Thank you

[Hidden]

Did you have a chest CT scan? Could be more than Asthma? Did you do respiratory physiotherapy to learn how to drain the mucus and speech therapy for your vocal chords?

All things I had and did now the only real help/relief I personally got is from daily steroids. I am presently on 8mg as I am tapering down and I can say it is limit. I am going to attempt tapering down as suggested and see but I can stop when I reach a landing, that is when the problem returns.

Take care x

[LuWil in reply to Hidden]

I am currently having speech therapy and have now been referred to the Royal London to a consultant who specializes in the condition. I'm awaiting an appointment. The referral is as a result of a lack of progress with my speech. (Hoarseness with intermittent stocato) Had respiratory physio a year ago but was more focused on breathing techniques, it was helpful but the mucous issue wasn't addressed although was not such an issue at the time. I'm currently on 40mg steroids which finish shortly and the health nurse was hoping for a more positive reaction.

No CT scan and I am intending to pursue that with my GP.

Thank you for your concern x

[Hidden in reply to LuWil]

You are welcome..good luck x

[illawarra]

LuWil it is interesting that you speak about paratracheal cyst. I have idiopathic subglottic stenosis which is narrowing at the top of the trachea caused by scar tissue and many people before being diagnosed with it were told for years they have asthma. Did your ENT do a scope to look down? A sufferer of ISS has a wheeze and a cough and their sleep affected.

[LuWil in reply to illawarra]

That's helpful. The ENT did use a scope however the appointment was more about confirming the diagnosis made by the speech therapist ie spasmodic dysphonia. I mentioned the possibility of a cyst however he completely dismissed it. I have been informed that it would not be picked up with a scope and CT scan is the best way. The ENT is also a laryngologist so I will have to work with his assessment at this point.

Re the actual asthma, I'm on steroids and my lungs are completely clear, which is why they were happy to discharge me.

Thank you for your concern.

[illawarra]

Best wishes to you in resolving your health issue.

[gemlady12]

I’m glad you posted this as currently I’m suffering from a similar problem. I have asthma, allergies and copd, not a nice combo. I quit smoking over 30 yrs ago and as a reward my childhood asthma returned with vengeance. At some point it became COPD, I guess it didn’t help that I had numerous blood clots in my lungs about 10 years ago, I also had surgery nine years ago for a very large hiatal hernia which caused unremitting reflux. Unfortunately The surgery was only about 50% effective, and I think now it may be coming apart.

The reason I’m giving you this history It’s because of the rate current worthless and feeling of mucus in my throat, which makes me cough and bark like a dog. It woke me up last night several times and in fence at one point I threw up. I also hear a rattling sound in my chest, from the many symptoms I have, it appears to be LPR, reflux tickets up into the larynx and even the nasal passages and creates havoc. It can also cause asthma Or make it worse. I went for speech therapy about two years ago and that helped for a while. I did get examinations of my larynx with a scope that goes down through the nose into the vocal chords. I was wondering if you have that test?

I would like to hear a response from you and see how your condition is faring and if you’ve ever had been diagnosed with LPR.

As far as myself, I moved from North Carolina to Las Vegas six months ago and finding a doctor here is like finding hens teeth. I’m waiting to hear back from a ENT, they never answer the phone. I made an appointment with my GP the next week to see maybe if she can get me to see someone.

Good luck to you.

Irene

[LuWil in reply to gemlady12]

Hi Irene, wow, so sorry to read about your condition. Hope you get sorted soon.

Had a follow up / return to work appointment with my GP who has been so concerned and supportive. One of the concerns is that when my first steroid round finished, I relapsed with the mucous build up and wheezing so hence the second round. My peak flow, blood pressure etc is good. (Peak flow 280 - 300, good for me) However the throat wheeze and production of mucous in that area never ceases, and concerns me. Since the introduction of the Beconase there's a slight improvement but I have to nebulise at night with a saline solution for some relief and alleviate any build up. I am a complete non smoker. My doctor is a bit flummoxed by this ongoing throat wheeze, which he could hear but no mention was made of a CT scan which I believe should be a next step. I return to work Monday next week and monitoring without the steroids this week will be crucial. My only current diagnosis is asthma and spasmodic dysphonia. Interesting because that involves an involuntary tremor with the vocal cords which obviously affects my speech. The very area that is causing problems for me. I am addressing diet, removed dairy, caffeine. I stick as far as possible to vegetables, fruit and white meat. The health benefits are evident but my throat wheeze remains persistent. Very frustrating.

Thanks for your concern. Hopefully you achieve some relief soon. Regards L

[gemlady12]

Thanks for your response. Are you sure you don’t have silent reflux? I believe that’s part of my problem but my reflux is not always silent. It’s getting worse. I have a good diet but is that a hiatal hernia acting up again. Reflux can Contribute to asthma.

I just started doing the NetI pot again tonite. Have you tried that? Well if you find anything that helps you, let me know. I’ll do the same. Good luck to both of us.

[LuWil]

No reflux at all. Gall bladder removed last year and huge improvement in digestion. I'm careful about what I eat anyway but immediately lost 3kgs.

Been using Sterimer but going to revert back to neti potty.

Hope to also introduce essential oils with sinus massage but that will be a gradual introduction once I get to understand which oils etc.

I struggled again last night with the throat rattle, so annoying, and of course wake up with the wheeze.

Indeed, all the best to us both! Watch this space x