help needed with a deep hacking phleg... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,051 members65,842 posts

help needed with a deep hacking phlegmy cough.

12 Replies

I have had this deep hacking cough for 18 months. In all seasons, indoors and outdoors. Often I will bring up thick phlegm. It sounds like a smokers cough and I do not smoke and live in a smoke-free environment. I also wheeze. I have Asthma so my RT increased my Fluticasone puffer to 2 puffs 2 x day. I also have HBP so my GP changed Perindopril to Diltiazem. He also changed my Acid reflux med from Rabeprazole to Pantoprazole. Two sets of x-rays were both clear. Now when eating I will sometimes get a cough when eating and start choking on the thick phlegm which is scary as my dad died choking on food. Does anyone else have my kind of cough and what cured it? Funny thing is that in these 18 months no one has ever looked down my throat.

Read more about...
12 Replies
Bkin profile image
Bkin

I think you have more than asthma going on thick phlegm for 18 months, in your situation I would ask for a referral to a respiratory consultant, What you describe needs a proper diagnosis, could be bronchiectasis or chronic bronchitis but you won't know until properly diagnosed. What you could do initially is request a CT scan this will save time when you get an appointment with the consultant.

Carbocisteine may help thin the phlegm making it easier to cough up you should be drinking plenty of water always to help keep the phlegm thinner. (you doctor can prescribe carbocisteine)

This is purely my personal suggestion, I am not a medical professional, I'm just speaking from experience.

You are in canada so medications could have different names.

Sparkywoo profile image
Sparkywoo

You describe just how I was. I have since been diagnosed with bronchiectasis. You really need to see a respiratory specialist. Good luck. There are meds that help

in reply to Sparkywoo

Thanks for replying but I don't have blood in my phlegm which is a symptom of bronchiectasis isn't it along with chest pain? I will be asking for a CT scan and a gastroscopy (sp?). I'm thinking its something in my esophagus but I'm not a doctor so could be wrong.

Sparkywoo profile image
Sparkywoo in reply to

I have never had blood in my phlegm or chest pain. I really struggle if I get chest infections as they take a long time to clear because of the bronchiectasis, and are more frequent too. Apart from that it’s just a real chesty cough which makes me feel like I’m going to drown sometimes. I too have asthma and multiple allergies.

gingermusic profile image
gingermusic

When I had the same my GP sent me for a CT scan which revealed I had Bronchiolechiectasis it is the only way it is diagnosed.

in reply to gingermusic

yes I think its past time to have some proper testing done. Thanks for replying.

agree with the above.... you need a CT scan for a proper diagnosis.

in reply to

Thanks everyone is steering me in the same direction. We old people hate to admit there is something wrong and with Covid 19 around I hate to go to the Clinic or the hospital. But it's time to bite the bullet and do it.

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

You really should talkk to your dr.all the best x

in reply to Patk1

Thanks. I was out today but will be calling tomorrow. I need to quit putting it off.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do have some dairy. At 81 I've drunk it all my life. Its good for my bones. I do have environmental and seasonal allergies. But we've kind of ruled out allergies in this case because I've had this cough for 18 months through all seasons, in different parts of the country and in different homes, meeting halls, church etc. I do live in a small town with no industry or heavy traffic to create smog. People come north to enjoy our lovely fresh air. At this point I agree that a CT scan and a gastroscopy is my next step as well as see a throat specialist. My Respitory Therapist just increased the dosage of a puffer.

ferozhaider2023 profile image
ferozhaider2023

Hey Hidden, did you go for the CT and gastroscopy? If yes, so please do share what results came out? I do have this same problem of coughing after eating and I am worry about it.

You may also like...

Recurring Phlegmy coughs

keep getting coughs that are phlegmy which causes me to not be able to breath, wheezing, chest pains

Cough cough cough

I can take to clear thick phlegm up? I’m awake all night, every night coughing and I’m lucky if I...

Re: cough cough cough

Bronchiectasis persistent cough

the toilet to cough it out and even when it's not coming up I'm still coughing a dry cough. Since...

Desperate need answers

having a phlegm ok then the phlegm stated getting thicker it has been four your since the change...