Persistent cough while lying down after choking episode, is this expected even after a day of the choking episode?

[Saradaram]

My mother is worried sick about my fathers cough that started after having a bad choking episode yesterday while taking a multivitamin tablet. My father is diagnosed with PSP two years back he had numerous falls and issues with choking before but this is particularly a bad choking episode it seems.

My question is, have you guys seen persistent cough especially when lying down a day after a big choking episode? My mother is worried sick because of COVID.

Thank you so much In advance about any information.

My mother lives in India alone with my father and no help as there are no support groups and doctors don’t even have any time to answer these questions.

Thank you again,

Sarada

[Hidden]

My mom had PSP and unfortunately she too had problems with coughing and choking. I am sorry you mom & dad don't have Hospice... they helped mom a lot. Researching some of the older post about coughing & choking should provide information for you to share with your parents. Sending hugs... Granni B

[AliBee1]

Dear Sarada, You must be very worried about your parents. My husband coughed a lot and also had choking episodes. Sadly there was little we could do but I did find that sometimes giving him a small sips of a thick drink, such as mango juice, helped. We were advised Pineapple juice for mucus coughing as that is fairly acidic and can help break up the mucus, but you do not mention that. I agree with Mottsie search some of the older posts. There is a lot of info out there. Good luck. AliBee x

[HilsandR]

Hi Sarada,

My heart goes out to your parents especially with the apparent lack of support and as with most countries, the Covid pandemic has made a huge impact on accessing many of the medical services.

PSP can cause too much mucous for many sufferers, the effect of which can causing coughing when lying down due to the thickened fluid trickling down the back of the throat or indeed just sitting there. There are medicines that can help in drying up the mucous and as AliBee has mentioned, pineapple juice can be very helpful for some. Propping him up on a couple of pillows might be helpful too. You don’t say whether your dad has had a recent swallow test but it does sound like his swallow reflex is compromised so thickened foods will help with that. Maybe your mum could crush dad’s tablets rather than giving them to him whole if choking is becoming regular.

If your dad is still under the care of a neurologist post diagnosis, I hope that your mum can push for some advice/support. Meantime, there is a wealth of topics on here that might help or just keep coming on yourself and asking questions. We don’t have all the answers but sometimes it’s comforting just to know you are not alone and that someone is listening and that each and everyone on here has been through this.

Anyway, feed some of the tips you’ve been given back to your mum in the hope that something will work to give her and your dad some respite from these horrible symptoms.

Best wishes,

Hils

x

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Saradaran!

Supposedly from UCH London Department of Pathology:

1) Dry cough + sneeze = air pollution.

2) Cough + mucus + sneezing + runny nose = common cold.

3) Cough + mucus+ sneezing + runny nose + body pain + weakness + mild fever = flu

4) Dry cough + sneezing + body pain + weakness + high fever + shortness of breath = Coronavirus.

Hoping to be useful.

Hug and luck.

Luis

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Saradaram!

These are our experiences hoping to be useful:

•Persistent cough. Use the syrup recommended by the physician. To avoid in the diet: coffee, carbonated beverages as pop or soda (or eliminate the gas by agitation before giving it to the patient) as well as chocolate, avoiding also orange, lemon or grapefruit juice, helps.

In acute attacks of cough taking some yogurt can help.

We switched to a pine and propolis syrup (ProtectSapin) from the health food store that seemed to help a bit.”

The “easterncedar” chat contributor indicates that: “The medicine in most cough syrups conflicts with the anti anxiety medication"

Hug and luck.

Luis

[daddyt]

I will have a coughing spell after a choking episode - it generally dissipates within 12-24 hours. For the past couple of years I sleep with my head and chest elevated, something to keep in mind.

Tim

[Martina_MP]

Worth discussing promptly with his doctor or a lung specialist, as he may have aspirated the pill (foreign body aspiration) into his airways which would cause persistent irritation and blockage leading him to cough. If it is in there, it would need to be removed.

[Saradaram]

Thank you all for the valuable information and support you provided. I am great full for the time you guys took to reply.

Thank you

Sarada