Hi,
I am a keen racing cyclist (I ride for 10-15 hours a week). Last February when racing or doing other hard riding I kept producing lots of phlegm and found it hard to breathe (to the point where I would throw up phlegm). The problem persisted but slowly disappeared by August (due to dry weather I think). My doctor gave me a beclomethasone diproprionate inhaler, which had little to no effect and I stopped using it after 4-5 weeks as it constricted my throat. I tried cutting out dairy but that had no effect either.
The same thing is happening again this year and Im set for another very unsuccessful season if I don't sort it soon. I am taking beclomethasone diproprionate again in a futile effort to reduce it (this time I am gargling as much of it out of my throat after use it to prevent constriction).
When I am not cycling I notice gurgling in my throat (almost certainly from my stomach), particularly after eating, especially after eating large amounts of food. The gurgling disappears when I lie on my back. Reading some other posts on the forum and around the net it may help to know that I am completly unable to burp (although I don't know whether this is relevant).
The first time this happened last year I thought it was caused from training too soon after having a cold, but this year It happened just as suddenly without having had a cold.
Any suggestions for what I have or what to do about it would be greatly appreciated.
Dave,