I think i am going crazy!!

[shllby1]

I need some help anyone, i was diagnosed with having asthma, allergies and mild bronchitis, i have a constant phlegm in my throat that wont come out with any amount of cough or antibiotics, my main thing is that when i make myself take a deep cough there is a clicking or a feeling of plehgm moving up then down and i cant get rid of that either, i am 29 non-smoker and i dont know what to do, doc gave me allegra and albuterol and i dont think it has helped because i cant get rid of this congestion, I am scared that something is seriously wrong and she isnt thinking its anything but allergies and asthma..I am freaking out so bad that i am having anxiety attacks..please offer anything.

Thanks alot..

[National Jewish]

It is not clear from the information that you provided if the constant phlegm in your throat is coming from congestion that is above or below your throat.  If the congestion is in your chest this could be due to your asthma.  In some people with asthma, the mucus glands in the airways make a lot of thick mucus that causes chest congestion.  With asthma the basic problem is chronic inflammation along with tightness of the muscles that surround the airways of the lungs.  Albuterol relaxes the smooth muscle tightness around the airways quickly, but does not do anything for the inflammation and may not work on the phlegm.  Inhaled steroids and leukotriene modifiers decrease inflammation and phlegm.  When used routinely inhaled steroids have the added benefit of preventing inflammation.  If this inflammation is not controlled, it increases the sensitivity of the airways to a variety of things that make asthma worse.  These asthma triggers vary from person to person.  Allergies and postnasal drip are common triggers.



Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  There could be several reasons for this drainage.  One reason is an allergy.  A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold.  A third reason is chronic sinusitis.  Postnasal drip can cause coughing as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a constant feeling of phlegm at the back of your throat.  Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep.  Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on.  The phlegm may be difficult to move, especially when it is thick.  It may not move with coughing.



The fat content in dairy products can thicken phlegm.  Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful.  Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the phlegm so that it moves more easily.  As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.  Coughing can irritate your throat and make it sore.  Rather than making yourself take a deep cough, sip some water to clear the phlegm.



An antihistamine, like AllegraŽ (fexofenadine), can dry up the postnasal drip.  However, it may make the phlegm thicker and more difficult to move.  A decongestant like SudafedŽ (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and decrease the swelling so it drains easier.  A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both.  Check with your doctor to see if Allegra-DŽ (fexofenadine /pseudoephedrine), a combination antihistamine-decongestant, would help you more.  Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad.  It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.



A nasal wash helps remove phlegm and germs from your nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen coughing.  It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases phlegm production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses.  This may prevent the postnasal drip and coughing.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.  Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by the nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the postnasal drip from bothering you.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

[garrison]

ME too. My Dr. has tried anti-biotics,nasal sprays, etc. I have tried sleeping upside down, humidifiers, screaming until my throat is hoarse,clearning my throat until I get sick ,on and on. It used to be just at night but now it is spells in the day as well.Last night I slept outside by the pool in a lawn chair because I keep everyone awake. Has anything worked for you ?



pat

[shllby1]

Oh my goodness, you are having a hard time too, i dont feel so scared now, do you feel the phlegm when you cough too?? Nothing has worked for me yet, i am gonna try the nasal wash i am going to get the syringe and use the salt water thats what the nurse told me to do, i cant believe you are sleeping outside, what state are you in?

Michelle

[i-ishbel]

Well, whichever state you are in I so envy you! I have exactly all these symtoms after throat cancer and masses of radiatyion 5 years ago. The tumour seems to be in remissikon at the  moment but the phlegm situation is a constant pain. Have you tried Mucodyne? That is a very good syrup which thins the pglegm a bit and of course there is good old Glandosane which works for me but lots don't like it.

The worst time for me is waking up in the middle of the night and coughing and spitting. No pain. Just a horrible sound although I've explained to the neighbours who said hand on heart they hadn-t heard me! Nice people.



y latest thing is Benolyn fpr dry cough, although mine isn't dry. BUT it stopped me from waking up. And more info to swap most welcome.

IIsn't it depressing though....Ishbel. My children are taking me up to Scotland for a caravan holiday in a couple of weeks and OH how I am dreading it. Four children and three adults and a dog and the howling North Sea.

Don't all clamour at once to join!  Ishbel

[Jay1_23]

Nope, u r definately not crazy.  That clicking/popping feeling does not feel good and it scares me too. I also have all that phlegm i cant get out, except some watery mucous from my throat, and very occasionally a green thick phlegm with small brown spots.  My doctor thinks that i have asthma from all that marijuana and cigs i used to smoke. :(

[jake9550]

Hey i cant believe someone else has a clicking feeling when coughing, do you know what it is?? i am afraid its cancer

!!!!!!