Can't cough whatever it is out.

[Julie23]

I have read through some of the archives about throat obstructions and I am experiencing something along those lines.  My doc diagnosed me with asthma when I took in a specimen I finally got out 2 months ago.  He told me it was a mucus plug and it was indicitive of asthma.  However, I still exercise regularly, experience no known symtoms of asthma except for these wonderful chunks of crud that seem to lodge themselves in my throat for about 3-5 days before I either choke on them at night, while speaking, end of swallowing them, or they come out.  Force coughing doesn't work, I am trying to get one out currently.  I am considering the vacuum at this point because it's more annoying if anything.  I do have an inhaler but it doesn't seem to improve much of anything.  My hubby is a medic and he has threatened to scope me if I keep it up.  Ugh.  Any words of wisdom or should I return to start one for further inspection.  I don't see it as life threatening.  For further info on what I usually end up with after it breaks free is about 3-7cm of very hard, yellowish, stinky, mucus.  I have been getting them more often it seems and not after certain foods.  So, I am at a lose for words and sick of coughing.  Thanks!!

[AM AXA]

Hello I'm a 38 year old female who recently (Apil 05) suffered a stroke. The doctors did a full work up but could not find the cause. All my vitals -BP, heart were normal, no clots nothing associating wih a stroke. However years prior to the stroke I would experience palpitaions, headaches, numbness down my left side,anxiety,sighing,dizziness, unproductive coughs (at nights), episodes of seizure-like symptoms(my tongue would twirl, I would drool, my fingers and toes would also twirl and get stiff - this would last for 3-5 minutes then I'm back to normal). I've visited countless of doctors and specialists with no answers.

About 4 months before the stroke, I started to experience a discomfort in the center of my chest and stomach and pain below my navel. I was treated for acid reflux with Lanzor, when that did not work after a month, I was given Tagamet- did not work either. Then one morning I woke up with a weird feelings in my head (swollen feelings)and my ears felt full. Later that day while lying in bed my entire left side went numb and my speech was very slurred hence my hospitalisation for stroke explained at the outset.

I chose to write under this sinus topic because incedentially, during various tests at the hospital, one of the MRIs revealed that I had Bilatteral Maxillary Sinus but the doctors did not t pursue this. I was treated with aspirin, verapamil for the stroke but nothing or the sinus. After I left the hospital I continued to feel the fullnes in my head and ears and a tired pain behind my neck and right shoulder (like my head is too heavy for my neck, especially when I'm driving). I am also now feeling like a lump of food churning in the center of my chest that would not go up or down and a feeling like thread or hair in my throat which would not move either. I can just have a meal and minutes later I would feel a hollow hunger pang in my stomach. Sometimes I have difficultly swallowiing even water - it would stay in the center of my chest before slowing going down. I cough alot at nights. Sometimes I feel so scared and wondered if I'm having the stroke again.

As my years of quest to find answers continues, I came upon this website and read it with much interest. Please your comments would be much appreciated. I know this may sound a bit complicated, but I am confused myself.

I should also add that while talking with others I was told that that my symptoms resembled hormone imbalance and it is not unusual for women my age to experience that. Any comments appreciated.
Thank you

[Julie23]

Thank you for all the information.  I found out that my tonsils have got to go today from the ENT.  I guess those things should look like a golf ball (normally) not be covered in pits or crators like mine.  So, thanks to Anthem I get to wait for about 3 months before the operation.  I am not looking forward to the 10 days of "hell" - literally - that the doctor has warned about.  So, best of luck to those suffering.  He suggested a water pick but if your as bad off as I, gargling, spitting, hacking, whatever, won't do much of anything.  :P

[Inanga]

try to find the cuase of the mucous - my problem was food allergies. Suck and spit is better than coughing I find. saves a lot of wear and tear... good luck

[National Jewish]

Such plugs are often seen with a condition that accompanies asthma - Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA).  This can be treated with steroids.  The next mucus plug you are able to get out should be examined for fungi.  If this does not give the answer, you should have a direct exam of your larynx the next time one of these plugs gets stuck.  Another source of such mucus plugs can be postnasal drip.

[karmakarmakarma]

hey there! i get what u get ALL the time. I have sinusitis as well tho, and have the sever case of post nasal drip. I get those mucous plugs all the time, and i have developed this way of getting them out... its actually quite hard ahha and gross, like i sorta have to half move my bottom of my throat and do a gagging sensation at the same time. Very hard, but i guess its better than sticking things down ur throat :p

If your doctor finds a solution for you could u post it up here! Good luck!

[maxcamps]

Hi.
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[Julie23]

Thanks for the input.  I am revisiting the doc tomorrow.  I think it may be sinus/tonsil related.  Not for the faint hearted but I ended up looking down my throat with a pen light at my tonsils last night after not being able to stand the "gagging" feeling.  I ended up (literally) pulling a chunk of this wonderful crud from the side of my tonsil/ear area??  I know its all interconnected back there but I ended up with blood and almost lost consciousness after realizing what I was doing was a bit extreme.  My throat is sore and still engorged but the gagging is still there.  I hope no one else gets this!