Chronic cough with mucus

[Kylee529]

I have read several messages from people with similar symptoms such as mine - cough mainly in AM with mucus, again in the evening.  I plan to try some of the suggestions such as taking an antihistamine/decongestant and a remedy for GERD (although I do not have symptoms of that particular problem).  I have been hacking for about 3 months, have been to the doctor who has given me antibiotics along with cough medicines.  Seems to help a bit but then I'm hacking again.  I do have an Albuterol inhaler that seems to help somewhat but the only way I get relief is when I expel copious amounts of mucus.  I was interested in some of the causes listed for those with similar symptoms as mine, i.e., post nasal drip (I do have that), chronic sinus problems (I had sinus surgery about 4 years ago), heartburn (don't think I have that problem), asthma (I believe I have that although my MD doesn't seem to agree), allergies (a possibility).  The one cause that interested me was side effects of blood pressure meds.  I have been on blood pressure meds for at least 10 years.  Is it possible that is what's causing my problems?  I do plan on starting a regime of Prilosec (in case GERD is my problem) as well as an antihistamine/decongestant.  Any other help or suggestions would be so greatly appreciated.

[National Jewish]

Some types of anti-hypertensive medicines will, indeed, create and sustain a cough.  Working with your doctor to change the medicine and see if this gets rid of the cough is fairly easy.  Having a history of sinus problems in the past is another good possibility of stimulating the problem you are having now, either directly, or indirectly by causing a reflex cough in the lungs.  A CT of the sinus will easily make this diagnosis.  Postnasal drip from allergic or nonallergic causes, particularly in cold weather, is another common cause of coughing.

Working with your doctor to eliminate or identify the cause is the best approach to this problem.

[EROS]

Before I make a suggestion, have you / do you smoke?

[Kylee529]

I do not smoke and am not in contact with anyone who does.  I was raised in a smoking household but am now 64 years old so don't believe that could be an indicator.  My husband does say that I sound like someone who is a 3 pack a day smoker.  This past weekend I felt a bit better but today (Monday) I'm back hacking even to the point of vomiting.  Also, my appetite is sporadic.  I sometimes feel as though I can't swallow corectly - that there is something obstructing my airways.  I tried decongestants/antihistamines for a few days but that seems to make the situation worse.  Any help would be so greatly appreciated!

[Inanga]

hi
i am interested by your comment that the decongestant/antihitamine made the problem WORSE. I had exactly the same expereience. I had masses of mucus causing problems breathing, coughing (to the point of vomiting too). I tried taking antihistamine tablets but they dried the stuff up and made it even harder to cough out. This got very frighning like I was drowing. There are several lessons I learned about this:

1. to make sure I drank LOTS of water - this made the mucus runnier and easier to get rid of. The antihistamine reduced the volume and the water kept it fluid enough to cough out.
2. When in this predicament I would drink a cup of hot water - and sniff in the steam. This seemed to also help loosen the mucus. Sometimes I'd have to sniff the steam and drink a couple of cups but it always helped.
3. I found I didn't need a full does of histamine to reduce the mucus volume - I have moved to the liquid form - I can take a small dose that acieves the result and minimises the side effects. I take zyrtec (cetirizine) - about 2 ml twice a day. The standard tablet is equivalent to 10 ml (i think).
4. I have hayfever and coan't do much about that apart from keeping windoes closed at home and staying in the airconditionded office in the day, and taking the antihitamine as above. BUT the worst problem has been caused by a food allergy. I can avaoid the problem foods and eliminate the opst nasal drip part which was the worst. The antimistamine lets me eat normally.

best of luck and keep the fluid intake up. it has helped me.

[Inanga]

forgot to mention - i had problems swallowing since I was at school - the doctors were no help. It appears to be simply that the accumulated mucus triggers a reflex to protect you from choking - and this messes up the swallowing reflex. Since I've had the mucus under control I dont' have the swallowing problems anymore. I'd also be woken lots during the night choknig on mucus which is like being jolted awake in a panic becuase you've stopped breathing and your brain wakes you up in an emergency state... all gone now.

[magicgoo]

I have that exact same problem of being jolted awake by excessive mucus. I cannot sleep.

It's so futile. I have continuous suicidal thoughts. Will this never end? Will I never find help? I'm having panic attacks nightly, as well.

Inanga, what is this liquid antihistimine that reduces the mucus? Zyrtec? I was on a pill form of it a couple of years ago that did nothing.

[Kylee529]

Thank you inanga and NJC-R.N.-DC for your comments and suggestions.  NJC, I will check with my doctor regarding my blood pressure medications.  And, inanga, I found your suggestions worth exploring.  I will try the low dosage of Zyrtec to see if that helps and also will concentrate on drinking more water as well as the hot water remedy.  I have been doing better the last several days - don't know if it has anything to do with now taking Prilosec or if it is just coincidental.  However, I still do cough when I go to bed (not as much or as bad as it was) and the only way I've been making it through the night is by taking Tylenol PM which does contain antihistamine.  And I do still bring up mucus in the morning but it's not as bad as it was.  Sometimes I start coughing after eating so have thought that it may have something to do with certain foods but can't determine which ones.  As I said, my appetite is sporadic - on the plus side I have lost some weight but it does make me worry a bit.  Again, thanks for your comments.  It really does help to know that others have the same problems as mine.  Let's hope that in the new year we will feel better.

[mike007]

I have a situation similar to the one being described.  I have post nasal drainage and I feel it on the back of my throat.  I had this since middle of november-05.  I'm currently using Nasarel and that seems to help, but i don't want to live on steroids for the rest of my life.  I also suffer from allergies in the spring only.  The only way i get relief is by hacking, but that is killing my throat.  The doctor tells me it is normar, but you know what i think..... I also asked the doctor since i work with the public, to check me for TB, but he said my longs sound fine. I also asked him if I had Chronic Bronchities.  So far my quest has been fruitless.  The drainage almost went away, but not really and this morning is back with a vengance.  I took nasarel and i'm fine right now.  tomorrow will be another day.  My problem seems to be at its peak in the morning.  Can any doctors or nurses offer some suggestions?

[Kylee529]

Is the nasal spray you are using a prescription drug?  I also have tried nasal sprays and regularly (morning and night) use a saline spray.  I've been doing that since my sinus surgery.  It sometimes is productive and sometimes not.  On one of my visits to my doctor he said he was going to treat me as if I had bronchitis and gave me antibiotics and cough medicine.  But he also said that my lungs sound clear so therefore, he wouldn't order tests of any kind.  It is to the point that I really dread morning because of the hacking but as I said before, it has improved.  Guess I'll continue with the Prilosec even though I have had no indication of any gastric problems.  Let me know about the nasal spray and I hope you improve.

[ALASIE]

I have been sick, the whole nine yards with similiar problems and more. In addition, I had symptoms of a stomach virus first and some symptoms continue like the diarrea (diarrhea). The nausea is better except for the feeling of extreme hardened mucous in the throat that "needs" to come out. I am so exhausted as I have not been sleeping.
I went to the doctor, dx'd with bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection (URI)and have been sick over a week, so I went to the doctor just two days before Christmas. I was given a cortisone type shot..dex... and pills for coughing & congestion (has psudoefedrin..sp?, guanifenesen, and dex something ...every 12 hrs., and an antibiotic, Azithromycin, but only to take two first day then one a day for just 4 more days. Its a fast acting type.
I cannot sleep more than two hrs at a time. I stay awake most of the night and wake up my husband if I try to go to bed as the moment I lay down, I start hacking or trying to clear my throat of the mucous or blowing my nose. Another aggravation is that a noise is coming out of my mouth that sounds like a rale or either bubbles or a kitten meowing. Its like its wind trying to come out a small hole to me.
I have tried the menthol/Vicks thing with the vaporizer, tried the hot liquids to drink with real honey. I  used juice of an orange last night. I run hot water in my shower and put warm cloths over my face.
I also feel like someone else who wrote in that I feel like I am suffocating when it is choking me and I just can't spit it out or enough of anything out. It seems like a thin layer of mainly clear mucous but sometimes it seems to be starting to get more substance.
Desperate for ideas for help to get better. Years ago, I was in the hospital with coughing like this so much that they had to give me breathing treatments and beat on my chest. So...I even asked hubby to beat on it this morning although it is hurting in my back from several nights of coughing...as I cannot lay down at all a new series of coughing  my head off.
Please, any comments would be so welcomed.

[Kylee529]

I read your comments with great interest.  The sound coming from your throat is something I had for quite some time.  It was so annoying and kept me awake at night.  It now seems to have stopped.  As I said before, I don't know if the Prilosec I've been taking has had some bearing on me feeling better but I plan on continuing to take it even though it is supposed to be just used in 2-week doses.  I found another comment you made quite interesting.  You said that you also had diarrhea.  I too have had this problem on and off since about 12/23.  I don't have a clue if this is related to the cough/mucus symptoms or if it is another matter altogether.  At first I thought it was due to eating a lot of foods during the holidays that I normally don't have.  But, this has continued long after I stopped eating those foods.  I've used some anti-diarrhea medications and can go 2 days being "normal" and then it hits again.  I suppose I'll go back to my doctor again although I'm sure he'll tell me that I'm just fine.  I mentioned in one of my previous comments that I've been using Tylenol PM at night and that it seemed to help me get through the night.  Well, I thought I shouldn't be relying on a sleep aid so I stopped it a few days ago.  Guess what?  I've once again been waking up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep until I get rid of the mucus.  So, I do believe I'll go back to using it tonight to see if I do any better.  Let me know how you've been doing and tell me more about your diarrhea symptoms.  Let's hope we can get to the bottom of our mutual problems.

[Inanga]

since my last post I have nailed my allergy down to corn/maize. I can eat bread without maize starch fine, but bread containing 1% maize starch starts up the mucous after a couple of bites. The more I eat the worse ti gets and the longer it lasts. NOw it's identified more closely I can avoid it better and I gerneally don't need to resort to antihistamine anymore. When I was taking it I found taking a tablet made the mucous awefully hard and sticky and impossible to move. It also gave me constipation - a drying effect on intestinal mucous I guesss. I tried half a tablet which helped a bit but i found the liquid dorm so much more practical. I have whittled it down to the occasional 1 or 2 millilitres at a time, maybe twice a day. But like I said since learning to avoid corn properly I have stopped needed the zyrtec.

On the occasions when I had taken too much zyrtec - and i mean too much for me - i never got anywhere near overdosing - when the mucous got to thick and hard to move I tried a saline nasal wash - this softened it up enough to get it out. Sometimes if the saline was too salty it ouwld make it worse - then I'd rinse with a weak solution and be okay. But I found that these washes seemed to increase the number of sinus infections I was getting. I canged my technique to flush out from the nostril to my throat while not letting it get into my sinues. This helped.

In summary I'd say post nasal drip may well be an allergic reaction so your mission (and you should choose to accept it) is to identify the allergen and avoid it like the plague.

[hippiechic77]

Hi.  I found this site to be of great comfort since I too have been battling with tons of mucus for months and months now.  I have been to numerous amounts of doctors and have been given the run around so many times I am beginning to lose hope with doctors in general.  My symptoms began in May of 05 and I was told I had acid reflux.  I have been on acid medication (Zegerid) since then with no real improvement.  Over the past several months I have been to a gastrologist (who performed an endoscopy and said I had minor inflammation), an ENT who confirmed I had lots of post nasal drip but not sure why.  He referred me to an allergist who did allergy tests and said I was allergic to dust and mold but not to a significant degree.  I have constant mucus in my throat that just won't go away.  I feel like my gag reflex has become super sensitive since all this has happened and I often gag on the mucus(sometimes to the point of throwing up) Constant cough and throat clearing.  Have been told I sound like an old smoker although I am only 25 and have not smoked a cigarette in my life. I feel like this is beginning to give me great anxiety as sometimes I feel like my airway is being blocked off since there is so much **** down there.  I'm not sure what I should be taking to get rid of this.  I've tried saline sprays and nasal washes.  I took an antihistimine tonight and my throat feels about 10 times worse (I did some research and found that antihistimines stop the post nasal drip but make the mucus thicker and harder to move.  A medicication with a antihistimine/decongestant mix seems to be the way to go)  I have another ENT appointment next week.  I know they will tell me I have post nasal drip.  I already know that.  I would like to know WHY.  What is causing it.  How are we suppossed to get rid of it if we don't know the cause?  I feel like I am at my wits end and it is beginning to disrupt my life.  I hope we all eventually find something to relieve our symptoms and I have great sympathy for everyone who has to deal with this on a daily basis!  Thanks for letting me rant :)

[foodwatcher]

to all of you out there-try this!oregano(yes-the cooking spice) in warm water.it destroys a fungal build up of candida(yeast fungus-which eats sugar-which is eaten by the good bacteria in our bodies.antibiotics destroy the good bacteria also.also ,long term steroid use-like inhalers can bring on the candida)My air way was closing.sugar is the culprit and maybe other foods.I could tell as soon as I ate it.milk makes mucas in my throat.things happen with me so fast.the oregano drink opened my throat and got rid of the tickle right away.I bought some thing called fungal defense which is helping too.sometimes it feels like a jolt of oxygen.and burst of energy-even my nose clears up.I heard that excess candida makes mucas.It seems to be correct.I am not well yet.Its as if a virus is attached to my throat.winter is a bad season for me.Please let me know if this helps anyone.

[wellness wanted]

Its terrible the amount of time and money we spend trying to get gelp. I have had allergies for years(35) and take zyrtec and flonase. The first part of Dec. I started with a dry cough which led to profuse fluid/mucous buildup. I became real sensitive to being to hot or to cold. One morning I felt like my throat was not functioning properly almost like I was going to have an asthma attack. I went to the bathroom and found my face and fore arms covered in bumps under the skin and looking very flushed. I felt extremely fatigued. My doctor said I had a virus and had me take zyrtec d and bidex - I felt I was getting better except for that coughing problem. Then 30 days later I felt my self going down hill all over again. My throat and glands and tonsils were swollen. Looking in my throat I saw white spots near my tonsils and pus spots and bumps in my soft pallet, back sides of throat and under tongue.My throat also tasted as if it were covered in mucus.I called my doctor and he put me on antibiotics. I took these for 7 days. After 4 days my throat had cleared up but my cough grew worse and now I was sometimes throwing up as well. I asked for more antibiotics he said for me to come in. Again said it was a virus takes time to heal and gave me No Tuss cough medicine to take. I had just spent 4 days solid in bed drinking nothing but fluids for the second time since the first part of December and he's telling me it takes time...stay in bed, get rest, drink fluids. I am 53 years old. I have had asthma, allergies, bronchial infections, upper respitory infections, walking pneumonia, pleurisy twice, whooping cough, I cannot remember how many viruses and flu's through the years and I have never felt like this for so long. I will make one note of exception...Nov 17th his Doctor put me on Wellbutrin because of my fatigue and I am wondering if maybe somehow a drug allergy could affect me like this. Anyone out there had a similar problem? Also Foodwatcher I hads heard about getting wild oregano oil and putting a couple drops in a glass of water a couple times a day if you felt yourself getting sick and it would help...I had forgotten...I am going to try it.

[janzibel]

I have a very serious mucous problem.  It occurs every morning or every time after laying down.  I feel a thick build up of mucous, which demands to be coughed up.  It usually starts out with a very thick rubbery brownish stuff, then to thick yellowish jelly like stuff & then eventually thick clear stuff.  That is the first round.  The second round starts about a half hour to hour later, of just coughing up thick flem (phlegm).  I have lower back problems, which are made worse from the constant coughing every morning.  It consumes the first 2 hours of every morning of my life, & has for a few years now.  I think my pcp thinks it is all in my head, excuse the pun, & has no idea how extreme this is.  I have been to an ent, & actually 2 years ago had surgery to reduce my turbinettes, but it seems, the problem came back even worse than before.  My ent can't seem to help me either.  My next stop is, another ct scan & a visit to the allergist.  I am so frustrated with this condition & can't seem to get any solutions from any doctors, even the specialists.  This condition is getting worse with age & the medical folks just seem to dismiss it.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and to all you other people out there suffering from this totally annoying, repulsive problem, lets all hope we can get some solid answers as to what this is & be rid of it.

[mp3wire]

I had this same thing for 6 mos. before I got rid of it.  I tried a bunch of doctors, antacids, other antibiotics, steroids, everything.  Even got tested for TB and had CT scans and too many chest X rays to count.  Went to a pulmonologist and had a pulmonary fuction test for asthma too. ENT put a tube through my nose and down my throat.  Also was tested for mold in the lungs.  Every test came out fine, but I wasn't fine.  I coughed so much I would nearly vomit and had so much mucus I felt I was drowning like some of you had said. I never slept at night and when I did, it was sitting up. It took going to an ENT (Ear Nose and Threat)doctor to give me 30 days of Levaquin (500mg once per day)to get rid of it.  10 days of an antibiotic will not get rid of it.  Levaquin will take 5 days to work to where you actually start feeling better. I still have bouts where it seems to come back once every 3 mos. or so, but Levaquin still seems to take care of it.  It is a good antibiotic.  Basically, it is a sinus infection that is hard to get rid of that creates the mucus.  ENT's will evaluate your condition and let you know if you may need surgery for a deviated septum (possible cause of frequent sinusitis).  Hope this helps some of you.

[janzibel]

Hey, thanks for your comments.  It sounds logical, & definitely worth a try.  I'm finding a lot of people suffering from this ****, which makes me feel like, at least I'm not alone, but very few solutions.  So far, even the dr's., I've seen, including specialists, just seem to dismiss it.
So, thanks for your input, cause it definitely seems like we are all on our own to find a fix for this.
Regards

[kimmy36]

HELLO MY NAME IS KIM I'AM 36 YEARS OLD. I FEEL FOR EVERYONE OF YOU I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. THE COUGHING SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN OVER YOUR LIFE. THE MUCOUS THAT I'AM COUGHING UP IS SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. IT IS SOMETIMES MILKY, CREAMY LOOKING AND SOMETIMES I SPIT IT UP IN HUNKS OF WHITE STRINGY STUFF. IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. I'AM AT MY ROPES END WITH IT. WILL IT EVER END!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN TO DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ANTIBOTICS, STERIODS, AND BREATHING TREATMENTS. THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THE REASON FOR THE COUGH IS THAT I'AM WHEEZING AND IT MAKES YOU COUGH. WELL I HAVE NEWS FOR HIM THIS IS A CHRONIC COUGH ONE I HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE. THE SOUND IN MY THROAT IS NOT WHEEZING IT IS A BUBBLY SOUND, AFTERALL THIS IS MY BODY NOT HIS AND I KNOW WHAT SOUND IT MAKES. I SEEM TO HAVE IT WORST AFTER EATING. THE MORNING TIME IS REAL HARD AND LATE IN THE EVENING. I SOMETIMES HAVE THE COUGH ALL DAY TO THE POINT I'AM ALMOST VOMITING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE HAS FOUND A CURE FOR THIS BAD COUGH.

[wellness wanted]

WEll I tried the oregano oil, I tried a multitude of vitamins, I went off every prescription I take, which seemed to help with the nasal congestion but I have to say I think it may have just been a period where it wasn't as bad. I know people who have gone from Dr to Dr trying to find a stop to this but I know of none who have suceeded. I have included some of these post in a letter to the CDC to see if can shed any light on the matter. Please if anyone finds out anything post it. I am terribly concerned as a singer because I know this can permanently damage my voice. Thanks everyone.

[Protek]

The comments of 'Food Watcher' about a bacteria affecting the mucus may be right. My problem started May 2001 after coming back from a trip with a bad smell in my nose and a cold. Took antibiotics and Nasonex and my problem with clear phlegm in my throat started two weeks after my prescription was finished. It might have something to do with antibiotics leading to Candida; it just occurred to me now. I have tried every possible remedies to get rid of that mucus in my throat, depending on which specialist: nasal drip, GERD, changing my diet, homeopathy, etc. but nothing, absolutely nothing helped. The idea of being affected by a bacteria does not suprise me; I always had a feeling that my saliva was of bad quality and asked for a test--Dr just laughed in my face--but the more I think about it, the more it seems to be it. I will investigate in that area since everything else failed for me.
Thanks 'Food Watcher'.

[healthiswealth]

I read your posting and your story is exactly like mine...that is scary!  Have you gotten any help with your post-nasal-drip?

[Loveday85]

HEY, MY NAME IS SHAVONNE AND I THINK MY MOM HAS A RESPIRATORY DISORDER...OUT OF NO WHERE SHE DEVELOPED THIS COUGH THAT GOT WORSE N WORSE...SHES A SMOKER AND MASSES OF PHLEM COMES OUT WHEN SHE CATCHES HER COUGH ATTACK...IT HAPPENS IN THE EVENING AND MORNINGS MOSTLY...SHE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM THE DOCTORS..NOW THEY TELL HER SHE HAS ASTHMA AND THEY GAVE HER THIS SPRAY N THESE PILLS BUT I KNOW THEY WONT WORK...I JUST FOUND OUT THAT TIBETIN PHARMACIES HAVE THESE HERBS THAT CAN CLEAR UP THE MUCUS...I GET REALLY SCARED WHEN SHE CATCHES HER ATTACKS BECAUSE ITS A BIG WHEEZING SOUND AND SHE TURNS RED AND ITS JUST SO SCARY...IM AFRAID ONE DAY SHE MIGHT STOP BREATHING GOD FORBID...TWICE SHE PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR..THE SCARIEST DAY OF MY LIFE...IF ANYONE KNOWS ANY WAY I CAN HELP HER STOP THIS COUGH PLEASE HELP ME..I WANT HER TO LIVE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE...ITS TRUE BOUT DRINKING LOTS OF WATER..IT DOES HELP...MY MOM SHARES THE SAME EXACT SYPTOMS (symptoms) AS ALL OF YOU SO I ASSUME SHE HAS THIS...I HAVE TRIED LOOKING UP EVERYTHING ELSE AND THIS IS THE CLOSEST MATCH...PLEASE HELP ME HEAL HER SOMEHOW..ALL I WANT IS FOR HER TO HAVE A GOODNIGHT SLEEP AGAIN...

[normajeaner5]

everybody has the same things i do. and it hurts, stinks, and bothers me. i neeed a cure, and fast. i feel like im going to chock on my own mucus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mauilu]

This is so frustrating.  The doctors keep telling me I have asthma, but inhalers don't help.  Can't even go more that a few minutes without collecting phlegm in my throat.  It's a bubbling, gurgling, and wheezing espcially when I exhale.  So tired of coughing non-stop, and it's hard to get it to come up. Lying down is when it's worse. Doesn't feel like post nasal drip.  I am on a mild diuretic for hypertension. Been on the internet looking for answers.  Glad to find this site, because this is driving me crazy!

[worried123456789]

A related discussion, thick mucus was started.