Coughing and choking

[papred06]

Hi everybody I'm Papred 06 and this is my first post. I've had this cough and mucus in my throat for 4 weeks now and there's no blocked nose. I feel liquid rising in my throat and causing me to choke and causing coughing. There's no pain in my chest but there's occasional gastric movement in tummy for no reason at all. The coughs are dangerous and if allowed to continue in one fit, cause me to gasp for breadth. Meaning, I struggle to breath. Sleeping is difficult now as I now wake up coughing. I also have to clear my throat most of the time. I've already gone to my GP but is anybody familiar with these symptoms? Will really appreciate some help. Thanks.

[exuberant-chinchilla-12354]

Hi, I had almost identical symptoms. It started when I was away from the UK and saw a doctor abroad. He gave me some mucus thinning medicine. When I returned to the UK, I went straight to my GP who tried antibiotics to cure the cough, but nothing worked. I also had a chest X-ray which came back all clear. After 5 weeks of back and forth to the GP, he thought I may have upper GI cancer!! What! I was stunned to say the least as I did not feel I was that ill. He put me on a 2 week pathway to see a consultant at the hospital. I received a call from the hospital within two days, and saw the consultant within 7 days. He could not tell from his examination of me what was wrong until he Had carried out a Gastroscopy on me. Within 10 days I had the Gastroscopy and they found I had a hiatus hernia which was causing the problems. I have changed my diet and losing weight to help and it appears to be working as my symptoms are much less severe than previously. Hope this helps.

[papred06 in reply to exuberant-chinchilla-12354]

Thanks @12345. Highly appreciated.

[Hidden]

You could try taking Gaviscon Advance (over the counter) especially at night. It won't do any harm, and if it is reflux, you may notice an improvement.

[papred06 in reply to Hidden]

Ok cheers I'll try it.

[sherbet0102]

It might be achalasia which is osophical dysmotility, I have had this for over 20 years, it took 20 years to get a diagnosis, after 4 endoscopies, 6 biopsies for cancer, 2 x video fluoroscopes, 4 tubes up the nose and despite carrying the handbag that comes along with it there was no diagnosis. So during that time I went to various hospitals from Addenbrookes, to the cough clinic at Hull, to Barts hospital in London or anywhere else I find a specialist who would help me in some sort of way. In the end I asked to see someone at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and a fantastic woman spend a really long time and was very patient gave me a mamonomoatory.

Thanks to her patience I was finally diagnosed. She spend ages and told me that I have nutcracker coughs which are really dangerous, but there isn't a lot they can do, so I have learnt to live with it every day. I have peppermint in hot water 2 /3 times a day, this keeps my cough slightly at bay.I use Vics sinex at night this drys up any mucus.

sorry about the really bad spelling but if this helps you in any way I would be pleased.

[focused1]

My persistent cough was diagnosed after various tests to be hiatus hernia which required day surgery . I had cough with clear mucus for over 5 weeks resulting in visit to GP and put on lansoprazole which are not ideal to be taken long term . Be firm in your demands for tests which are not pleasant but are important . I'm glad I had surgery . It was a wake up call to change diet etc .

[sherbet0102 in reply to focused1]

I have got a hiatus hernia too, I have had it for years. I can't take Lamaprozle as I took it for years and it gave me many infections, also many other side affects. So I tried many other prozole's which are all basically the same. There are some really bad reviews on Lamaprozole.

[focused1]

Exactly. I read reviews and opted for surgery. 7 weeks on I feel great . I have modified my diet . Still on limited foods but lost 6 kg with little effort and have got a place on the Paris gym scheme so going to appointment for that next week .