For months now I have had this cough with phlegm (coughing up all colours of the rainbow including red). I am also very out of breath and the cough almost makes me choke or throw up. I'm struggling at night currently got 3 pillows otherwise can't breath. It's making me feel very dizzy. I also quite often wake up with a banging headache first thing in the morning. I also sometimes sound like I have a cold (I don't) but my nose is so blocked. Last week I lost my voice and the cough got much worse so doctor thinks I may now have a chest infection so on antibiotics. I can also experience chest pain as well. But up until now it hasn't been and antibiotics haven't helped yet.
I am waiting for a respiratory appointment but currently they don't have any!
I am also seeing a cardiologist next week as I also have very high blood pressure and pulse rate. But that can also drop.
Sorry for the long post. Have any of you suffered from the symptoms and have any tips? Thanks in advance its becoming very frustrating now.
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Grapes12
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I haven’t had anything like what you are describing just a cough in the morning, shortness of breath and trouble swallowing my saliva... it sounds like you could do with seeing someone from an Ataxia Centre for their advice, ask your GP to refer you to the one in London, they are very knowledgable and helpful. Thinking of you xxx
Thank you. Unfortunately an Ataxia Centre will not see me as we don't know the specific type of Ataxia I have and they think that I might have a condition consisting of Ataxia but not just Ataxia on its own. So am on the 100,000 genome project but could be another 2 years before I get results. It's so frustrating xx
Are you on any new medication or had any dosages increased? I once had really bad breathing problems, where I couldn’t get my breath & was really struggling to breath, after going for tests it turned out I was having a rare but very serious reaction to having my anti depressants increased (citalopram) from 20mg to 40mg. As soon as I stopped taking them I was fine again.
Hi Legs-alive. Thank you. I haven't had any dosages increased. I have just started solifenacin but was having the problems before I stared that. My GP has had a look at the drugs I am taking and doesn't feel that its a side effect from them. I'm pleased that you managed to find what was causing your problems and are now better. Hopefully soon they can find out what are causing mine. I think it might be to do with my swallowing, so will try and get an appointment with a speech therapist.
Hi Grapes12. I used a straw to aid swallowing (some use & other's don't recommend) but works for me! I do know that dairy foods can make phlegm worse. Also i cough a lot especially when lying down. I asked on here ages ago if anyone knew tips & now i use a bath towel over my pillow in bed. It works for me. Maybe it's the different sensation because it's different material. I have cervical dystonia & peripheral neuropathy alongside Cerebellar Ataxia & all its associated issues, so I'll try anything. Chewing gum was recommended too but I haven't tried that. I do hope you get better soon x
Thank you so much. I'm happy to try out anything to see if works. I have started to use a straw as my tremor has got so bad so struggle to hold a cup etc; so hopefully that will help. I also have Dystonia. Thank you again x
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