Coughing and Choking

I quit smoking almost 2 years ago. Since then I have had this chronic cough. I will cough and choke so bad, I sometimes think I am going to stop breathing. I have tried so many different products. I live on cough drops. Sometimes I will get a lot of flem (phlegm) in my throat. I have a constant sore throat also. I get so out of breath that later my chest hurts. Most of the time when i get through eating; I usually vomit. I hope you hve some suggestions for me.
I smoked for 49 years.
Thank you ver much.

[National Jewish Health]

It is highly likely that you have chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  It may be that your cough reflex was suppressed by the cigarette smoke when you were smoking and with smoking cessation it has regenerated to clear the excess mucus from your lungs.

However, you should not assume that that is the problem.  It may be that the cause of your cough is unrelated to smoking cessation.  Possibly it is caused by another lung disease.  For this reason, you should see a pulmonologist, also called a lung specialist, to determine the actual cause of your cough and initiate treatment for it.