Coughing

[yorkshirerose]

Hi, I am almost 2 years post op and doing nicely apart from coughing everytime I eat. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Hidden]

I know that coughing does cause problems after surgery, especially if there has been infection in and around the lungs, but this sounds a long time after that side of things should have cleared up. Coughing can wear you out, as I recall only too well.

Presumably you are not coughing at any other time, and it is therefore exclusively a reaction to eating?

It might be connected with how high up the surgery was performed on your oesophagus, perhaps closer to the trachea / windpipe, and possibly to do with how much food you take in at any one time, perhaps with food 'backing up' a bit? Might also be some kind of nerve reaction, but this is purely non medically-qualified speculation. Does it affect you when you drink?

I would check the issue out with the medical team because I am sure that it would be worthwhile having it checked to see if something can be done. It is probably getting on for long enough ago for it not to be connected with the actual surgery, but a gastroenterologist might suggest something, perhaps in the way of some form of medication.

[Hidden]

Firstly congrats at getting to 2 years.Personally I dont suffer from coughing but talking to others I know it can be a problem.I suffer belching!Guess it would be wise to have word with GP and take it further as Alan says.

[yorkshirerose in reply to Hidden]

Lol I know what you mean, I hiccup a lot and usually at inappropriate times. Mind you I'm not complaining my surgery was successful and I feel well so a few hiccups and a bit of a cough are nothing really

[sallym]

At the start of this journey I did have a cough kick in after eating, which occured if I had too large a meal and even now it will happen if I don't think about quantity. As Alan suggests I did have lung problems pneumothorax on both sides and emphysema both of which resolved,whether it caused the problem I don't know.

My join is at the top of my oesophagus and on random occasions the coughing reflex will start especially if I use my voice for too long so I tend to be careful of this.

Have I tried to find an answer to it all, no I have a good quality of life a small price to pay for the last 18yrs that it has given me.

Best of luck with this

sally

[yorkshirerose in reply to sallym]

Hi Sally, I cough as I eat, and I eat small meals so not really sure what is going on but as you say about quality of life, mine is good, so may be it is just one of those little irritations that will resolve itself

Edwina x

[medway]

Could it be that you are allergic to something you eat? I cough a lot after drinking red wine and eating ice cream. Everything else I'm ok. Could be you have some inflamation and food iritates it. Presumably you are on gaviscon or something similar which might help?

When was the last time you had an endoscopy? This would show up any inflammation.

[yorkshirerose in reply to medway]

Hi, it is about 12 months since I had an endoscopy, but I am trying to cut down my meds at the moment I was on 40 mgs Omeprazoletwice a day but have cut it down to 20mg, maybe it is a reflux problem. I think I will give my clinician a call this week, see what he has to say.

Edwina x

[SteveJ]

Hi Rose

I remember having problems with coughing in the early days, my surgeon said it was reflux maybe that is worth considering. I am now 5 years post op. and don't have much of a problem with coughing now.

Kind Regards

Steve

[yorkshirerose]

Thanks guys you have once again come up trumps and given me some direction with my coughing problem.

This site is invaluable XX

[abreynolds]

Hi it's me again, yes I have a cough now and again, it happens at night when I sleep, after afew coughs I intend to get a feeling of going to be sick,, its like a warning system for me it helps me to get to the bathroom in Time, its normally when I eat a bit too late, (never seem to learn,) but like everyone has said it's great to be alive, (6 years in June)

[StephanieC]

If you are coughing on eating or drinking I would speak to your surgeon, it may be that a Speech and Language Therapist or Ear, nose and throat (ENT) referral is required to look into the problem.

In any case I hope it gets better -

[yorkshirerose in reply to StephanieC]

Thanks Stephanie, my clicical nurse has been on holiday, but I will speak to him next week, I am sure it is just one of those little niggles that right themselves with time xx

[lepaul]

Hi I have exactly the same problem as you with the coughing . yesterday I had an appointment at the respiratory clinic at my local hospital . I had tests on my lungs etc which were fine, the consultant is sending me to see speech and language therapist for eating and drinking tests with different substances to see if the symptoms occure , if they are inconclusive she is sending me for barium x-ray to check my oesophagus and windpipe area . I think this is the course to take , I myself have suffered for years with this problem and this is the first time someone has given me hope that it can be resolved , I hope this helps , good luck with it

[yorkshirerose]

Hi lepaul

I have been through all the tests you have mentioned above and I still cough. It seems it is sensitive scar tissue and it is the hope it will 'toughen up' so to speak. But as I am now 4 years post op I think it is just something to live with. As my health overall is good I feel it is a small price to pay.

Regards

Edwina

[Titchy52]

Hi yorkshirerose hope u don't mind me commenting on your post I'm new to this site congratulations on your op I have problems with coughing when eating the coughing get so bad I'm sick then can't face eating .

[yorkshirerose]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with the dreaded 'cough'. A lot of us post op suffer with a cough. My surgeon sent me to see a speech therapist and I had xrays and the conclusion was it was sensitive scar tissue. Even now 5 years on I can still feel it when food passes over it, but it doesn't make me cough as much anymore. I really sympathise with you as you probably feel as if it will never stop,

You didn't say how long since you had your surgery, but believe me it does get better. Your new plumbing takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do your life will become easier. I still have episodes of dumping and if I rush too much after eating I still feel sick, so, I know my limits and take it easy. Be gentle with yourself, you have been through a lot. Always here if you need a chat

Edwina x