Explosive coughing fit

[Nome11]

Does anyone experience explosive coughing fits from out of nowhere? I've searched the Internet and the only reference I've found was a post on this forum here healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

Mine only (usually) come when I have a virus, but when they do it is horrendous - retching, nose running, eyes streaming and unable to do anything else at the time. Cough sweets are impossible because there's a high risk of inhaling them, and sipping water barely makes a difference. It is a dry cough with almost feels like an intense tickle on my gag reflex, and when it starts it lasts a few minutes. As far as I know, I don't have any lung/respiratory condition (unless this is one).

I don't know if it belongs on this forum, I'm posting here because it's where I found the other thread. When I have it it is very limiting, I can't use public transport and avoid shopping or anything which involves people. I couldn't work in an office, which seems like an over reaction for something that only occurs maybe three or four times a year, around a week at a time but it is just so horrible and embarrassing.

In the other thread people mentioned inhalers but didn't really say if they worked. I'm heading to the GP in a fortnight and would love to have some suggestions as it is making me miserable.

Hoping someone can help! Thanks so much for reading.

[Ergendl]

I use Vocal Zone lozenges, which you can get to stick on the skin inside your mouth if needed. They are quite small and effective.

[Nome11 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you, I shall look into them.

[Mopsey1897]

a friend suffered with this. She’d suddenly start coughing and couldn’t stop and it was so harsh it seemed like she’d be physically sick. She was so embarrassed she’d hide in the toilet at work. It took years for the hospital to find out what was wrong but there was a diagnosis. I can’t remember what it was called though, sorry. I’ll try and get hold of her to find out. I also suddenly start coughing and even swallowing can trigger it. It’s awful so I feel for you. She and I have both been diagnosed with copd since the coughing started.butthat might be a coincidence

[Nome11 in reply to Mopsey1897]

Thanks for your reply, I spend a lot of time hiding in the toilets when it happens ☹ I'd love to know if you find out her diagnosis, sorry to hear you also suffer with similar.

[Mopsey1897]

Hi Nome11 my friend was diagnosed with GERD or acid reflux, that was making her cough and she now has an acid reflux med every day. It can also be triggered by stress. Hope that helps you.

[Ern007 in reply to Mopsey1897]

Gerd got me, irritated my throat and did I cough.

[Seagullcity]

Hi, I was having awful daily coughing fits for a long time following a bad covid infection. I was eventually able to seriously reduce the coughing by religiously practicing breathing techniques, taught by the Long Covid Team, so that I breathe via my diaphragm and not just the top lobes of my lungs. That said, I do still start coughing sometimes if I’m talking a lot, which makes phone conversations etc difficult. Cough sweets, inhalers etc didn’t help and it starts with an irritation in my throat. I’ve since been diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Probably not what you have as your cough is dry. Best get to your doctor and have it checked out, S

[Patf1]

I had a similar problem in my thirties, coughing until I vomited several times a day. My GP referred me to an ENT consultant who diagnosed post nasal drip. This was in the early 1990's and the treatment then was surgery to my nasal passages as I had a bony spur removed which massively improved, but didn't completely cure the problem. Nowadays, I will still have the coughing fits but not as severe and no vomiting thank goodness! Hopefully your GP will have some answers for you.

[Seal59]

I’ve read all the other comments. I was going through a continual cough before/during Covid but also experienced the coughing fit you describe. I took Jakeman’s cough sweets but as I had so many I ended up with loads of fillings. Eventually I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, silent reflux and post nasal drip. I must add that my cough wasn’t productive and my cough was dry as I think I have it quite mild at the moment. I was prescribed Carbocisteine tablets and Fostair spray and that seems to be keeping it minimal.

[MoyB]

I get this from time to time. My resp consultant has called it bronchospasm and changed my inhalers. Since then I haven't had it last so long but previously it was exactly as you prescribed. I have chronic asthma with fixed airway didease and bronchiectasis. I also have a hiatus hernia so am treated for reflux with lansoprazole, Famotidine and gaviscon.

Good luck with getting answers. It's horrible when it happens and in a work environment it must be very embarrassing but you can't help it so people need to be understanding.

I daren't go near a cough sweet when it's happening as I'm sure I would inhale it. One resp physio did tell me that a sip of cold water can help - just a sip- but I can't even manage that when in a full on attack. Ventolin helps calm it once I can actually manage to inhale some but it can take quite a few puffs.

Best wishes

Xx Moy

[Seagullcity in reply to MoyB]

Hello Moy, interesting to hear that your respiratory consultant referred to a bronchospasm as I get occasional uncontrollable irritation which I called a ‘bronchial attack’ for want a proper description. When this happens I get the urge to cough but at the same time have difficulty breathing and, as I try to refrain from coughing, the ‘attack’ weirdly culminates in a sneeze. It doesn’t last long but can happen any time for no apparent reason.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Seagullcity]

My coughing fits always make me sneeze afterwards as well!

[Biker88]

I suffered bouts of coughing for several years and always assumed it was my aspergillosis, but after one session I managed a sputum sample and it came back clear. No infection bacterial, viral or fungal, I knew anxiety could cause coughing as I experience that as well. It was suggested that it may be an allergy cough, it turned out to be a reaction to excess fumes from stomach acid due to my hiatus hernia. Gaviscon gave and instant fix, and I’m now on Omeprazole so now I only get a cough with an infection or anxiety

[johngk]

i was diagnosed with bronchectasis 18 months ago after 3 chest infections which lasted 8/10 weeks. i experienced a coughing fit once during each illness. always started early in morning while in bed. terrible tickle and couldnt stop coughing. my wife said it sounded like i was choking. so much mucus coming up and so close to vomiting. then aching ribs and muscles for a week. after diagnosis i was put on carbocisteine and daily lung clearing. since then just one illness and again i experienced one coughing fit. i hope your doctor can find the answer and maybe point you towards a specialist

[Nome11]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer, I feel at least armed with some suggestions for the GP.

[shiftcolors]

I take metoprolol and avorstatin.(AFIB). I’ve had a cough for 3 years. Suspect meds but doc thinks sinus drainage and OTC sinus med temporarily relieves cough and accompanying shortness of breath. Occasionally I have a fit of coughing which seems to erupt from no where. I suck on cough drops 18 hours a day. 74 years old and over weight which may be part of problem. Irregular heartbeat Old sailor. Quit smoking 22 years ago. No alcohol due to meds I’m on. Don’t miss either. In Navy days drank 20 plus cups off coffee per day. These days average 2 cups per day. I’ve been exposed to everything from asbestos to agent orange and AFFF (fire fighting foam) and ddt.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to shiftcolors]

you have been through a lot, you must be a strong fighter! Us 50’s babies are a tough lot!

[PaperQueen]

Don't think this is very helpful for you but I do sympathise! I get coughing fits that leave me fighting to get my breath. They mostly seem to be brought on by small crumbs of food either grazing or lodging in the back of my throat, which is ridiculously frequent and can take ages to dislodge. Very embarrassing when I'm eating out or with others! I also get dry coughs for no apparent reason sometimes, which I take cough drops for. Hope you manage to find a solution. x

[Nome11]

Hi everyone, just an update after my GP appointment in case anyone is interested. By a weird coincidence my doctor is also experiencing the same cough and completely understood my description. He wonders if a post nasal drip is exacerbating the cough reflex causing an over reaction, so we are trying treatment for that first. I've got a nasal spray to use for a few months, then a follow up appointment. Fingers crossed it works!