Is everyone still having these sympthoms

[Carlg]

I see these comments are from 2006. I am currently having many of these same problems. Tickle in throat, sharp pain, cough, tears, nose dripping. This has been happening for the past 5 months. I've been to a ENT. He said it was my tonsils. I had them out. At first while I was on meds during my recovery from the surgery the symptoms stopped. But after I stopped taking the pain killers anti-biotic and the steroids the tickle came back. I've been taking Previcid for acid reflux but this has not stopped the attacks. Does anyone have any current information on this?


This discussion is related to Tickle in throat makes me cough and choke.

[kc111]

I am in my 50's, have suffered with this terrible sudden itch in throat attack--followed by terrible coughing that only stops the itch when some kind of fluid comes up from my lungs--not really phlegm, more watery--since 1992. That was when I became an active speaking minister. It feels like a flea suddenly bites one (or the other) side of my throat or maybe vocal cords or sometimes I think it feels like a big hive in my throat because it feels like a lump comes up. A throat specialist went down with a scope and said everything was normal. My doctor diagnosed allergy or sinus problems, and possible asthma, and put me on antihistamines and an asthma inhaler. None of it worked. Then she put me on Claritin D and it seemed to work for at least a year. Then it came back again and she put me on a different brand of Claritin D-like medication. Nothin'. Then I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux. They put me on Prevacid which worked again, for about a year. The another doctor had to put me on some meds that rendered the Prevacid useless, and it never worked again. I still get the itch, it's not as bad as it often was, but it is still chronic, with only occasional time without it. And sometimes it is so bad and I cough so hard I get nauseous and even vomit at times. At those times my throat ends up sore. I use cough meds and ibuprofen overnight, sometimes a codein med., and my throat heals, but the itch always comes back. For what it's worth, that's my story. Perhaps it has something to do with speaking, and the use of my vocal cords. That's the only thing that makes sense, and the itch sure feels like it's right there. Thanks for listening.

[nannabee]

i as well have these problems..over 4 year now.I have been diagnosed with asthma,but i am certain it is not just asthma.I am really afraid of them at times,i will get to where i am struggling for even a whisp of air for 30 or 40 seconds if it gets full blown.this has happened several times.I am so very careful on getting strangled for that is the worst.It almost always starts with the tickle in my throat,i only have 10-15 seconds to get it under control.fast acting inhaler does help sometimes,but does not completely stop it..it just helps me get it under control.I would love to know what this is,but as with everyone else i don't...i just know it will scare the hell out of you and anyone around you....
good luck to all of you,i do feel your fear and pain....

[Daniel123]

i have the same exact symptoms...well since march 07 so almost a year.My tonsils are inflamed on a daily basis,also have a bunch of tan light brown tissus on my pharyngeal walls...I have sharp pain in my throat radiating in my right ear from time to time,also most of the time i have the sensation that something is stuck in my throat near my right tonsil.My tonsils have deep crypts and i always get tonsils stones,seen many doctors and an ENT,had many x-rays taken.Some swollen lymph nodes,yeah its a mess...But still the doctors i have seen they all think everything is fine.They dont know whats going on.I have an appointment to see another ENT in may so im hopping he will recommend to take my tonsils out.Hopefully removing my tonsils will take care of the problems or at least helph.Basically the doctors i have seen so far told me that my tonsils were in bad shape but not bad enought to consider a tonsillectomy.

Some days are better than others,i can feel alright for a few days but it always comeback.

[abiance]

Hi all - I have a similar problem. I have Cystic Fibrosis - so coughing is normal for me. But this back of the throat tickle is incredibly bothersome!  Now I've had post nasal drip, and this isn't it. Sleeping upright or upside down doesn't seem to make a difference. My Dr prescribed Tussinex which I promptly went back and got her to give me Cotridin instead. I find Tussinex to be completely useless while the Cotridin (or its known as Co-Actifed) is substantially superior! While on this med driving is a No-No, at least I get to sleep at night (YAY!). I've tried the Lemon/honey trick, salt water etc. I was prescribed Ventolin (for emergency cant breathe situations!) and Advair. I found the advair diskus was no good, but the inhaled advair seemed to help a bit.  If its related to lung infections, I've got tons of those to pick from so cant really narrow it down. Right now it feels like I've got a web of spider silk or cat hair in the back of my throat and its just not clearing. Did anyone else find a solution that works?

[voxpopulli]

I am a 33 year female and since Sept, I have been having the itchy throat sensation which inevitably leads to coughing for at least a minute, running eyes, running nose, incontenance and throwing up.  I once threw up on myself at the Humane Society and today I had to stop my car because I thought I was going to throw up!  It's a very embarassing disorder, whatever it is.  

When it starts to come on, I start to feel panicked and want to run.  People at work immediately start asking if I am ok and all I can do is wave my hands at them!  My husband blames it on my smoking, which I'm sure doesn't help, but I have smoked since I was 17 and quit when I was 29, then started again a few months before these episodes started.  At first I did blame it on the smoking but I have had smokers cough and it never ever came near these coughing attacks!

It is getting so embarassing and I worry so much I will just throw up on myself in public.  Been to the doctor once and since I have tried a steroid, Mucinex, Claritin and now I am trying Prilosec.  I probably should go back to the doctor but after reading all the posts, I am beginning to think it will be a waste of time.  

And...this feels like the worst for me.  The last few days I have been eating very lightly and feeling nauseous for no reason.  I know it is me just being afraid I will start coughing due to the tickle and then worrying about throwing up.  I have even worried about whether it is cancer or something absolutely horrible....  This is really doing a job on me physically and mentally.

[Rukstar]

I have been experiencing very similar symptoms for two months. I had what was probably a viral infection, which included a very sore throat for which i took a course of amoxyl.  The sudden tickle in the throat resulting in spasms of coughing has plagued me for two months and comes on suddenly with no warning,  more at night but often during the day.  I had further antibiotics and visits to my doctor, who has now referred me to an ENT specialist.

I have a question - I also have trouble swallowing,  maybe not exactly problems swallowing, but the feeling that there is something in my throat whenever I swallow.  Does anyone else have this sensation?  It's like there is 'something' there in my throat which shouldn't be there.

[Carlg]

Thank you for helping me to see I'm not alone in having this mystery disorder. I thought I was just crazy. Since no doctors seem to know what this disorder is we should give it a name. Anyone have any ideas??? Maybe "Chronic Intermitent Throat Tickle Syndrome" or something. I couldn't fall back asleep for awhile after an attack last night. For some reason I couldn't get this song out of my head:

"Chronic Tickle in my Throat
You just want to make me Choke
Make Tears well up in my Eyes
Doctors cannot tell me Why
Chronic Tickle in my Throat
I JUST CAN’T SING THIS SONG I WROTE"

My sister are telling me to see an Herbalist to see if he can help me. I'm considering it at this point. If I do I'll let you know what he says.

Thank you again

[Booper44]

I had those symptoms in 1993 and was told by pulmonary specialist that I had developed bronchial asthma because I had pneumonia and didn't get treated so it turned into bronchial asthma. I had a cold for 3 months. (thought it was a cold) Also, I did work around a lot of chemicals and several different kinds of fumes. It took a year to get my cough and wheezing under some kind of control with prednisone, and different asthma medicines and inhalers.  Now and again I do get those spells but prednisone seems to calm it down. NOW  I was told that I have an elevated lung nodule which will be watched by ct scans every 3 months until they say it is begin??? God bless hope you get your ca ugh under control.

[coughmomma]

I'm so glad I'm not alone. I started coughing in October 2007. It started as a bronchitis type cold, then just stayed as the typical tickle cough described by most of you. Its starts whenever it wants, for NO reason... A horrid tickle/sting in my throat which no matter how hard you try to ignore or fight it, you start coughing...and coughing... and coughing. Due to the cough my bladder is rebelling, my eyes water constantly, and occasionally vomit. I went back to the Dr (new doc as my old one suddenly stopped practicing in December), and she started by saying it was my BP meds... I take Lisinopril/HCTZ. I've been taking this for 3 years without a single cough, in fact my old doc and I went through several meds to find this one that DIDN'T make me cough. She insisted so I gave her 50 dollar co-pay med a try (opposed to my 4.oo lisinopril med). Guess what?? Didnt work... I return a month later.... She puts me on Allegra.. Didn't work. I return a month later... She gives me an xray which comes up clear.. I return a month later to have a sinus infection this time so she says to come back in another month after the sinus infection clears.... (I'm not liking her at this point). Now, I call and tell her that I NEED FIXED NOW. So she tries Nasonex and Albuteral Inhaler. Doesnt work. ..
Two weeks ago I went on a med strike. Stopped ALL my meds just to see IF it might be them.. Nope.. Still coughing.
I go back to see her Friday and we'll see what the next try is.. After reading from all of you, I doubt anything will "fix" me.

Its making me depressed as I can't work, can't sleep, keep my husband up all night, my 10 month old is now "fake coughing" to mock me (his first mock is a fake cough...gee wonderful...). I have to make sure I have Pepsi or Coke at all times to "cure" the cough. It doesnt totally take it out, but it tones down how hard I cough.

I read somewhere that Vitamin B12, and A can help? Going to look into this as I used to take B12 in injection form years ago.. I would'nt mind doing this again if it helps!

There seriously has to be some sort of problem if we all are dealing with this and nothing is helping!

[judelsg]

I searched on the net this evening as this problem is ruining my life.

It started two years ago as a one off event and I was so totally embarrased. In the end I threw up from the coughing.

More recently I am having them during very important meetings, and as you all know the there is very little to no warnings. I am so distressed I was thinking about changing my career as having to leave a meeting every 15 minutes is not good.

I had one last week and I ran outside so no one would see my purple face, bulging runny eyes and slobber being coughed all over the place. The worse and new thing is the pain I had as I choked in the car park. It was like stabbing knives across my chest and arms. So terribly painful I actually thought my time had come.

I too am asthmatic and suffer from Thyroidism. I have been to see my doctor who once again took my blood to test, but came up with no real answers.

If anyone can help I would be so greatly appreciated.

[MaLina1]

Just like all of you, I am tired of this problem. It began in December '07 till this day. Talked to my doctor and he changed my second blood pressure medication. Since nothing has changed, he just told me to stop taking it except for metropolol. The coughing continues. I caught the flu in April 4 for a week and the tickle stopped. I was coughing from congestion. As soon as I was back in good shape, the tickle started again.

I stopped my blood pressure pill  thinking it was the side effects. The tickle and coughing still continues. The advair does not help but I need it anyway for my asthma, and so with rhynocort for my nasal allergies. Zyrtec is what I take for my indoor and outdoor allergies. I am done with Claritin and Alegra which does not help with my allergies. I take vitamins C, Calcium with D, iron, magnesium, and also take Fish oil and garlic pills.

Tonight I decided to skip all the pills including vitamins and hopefully the coughing will be less frequent.

I boiled slices of ginger for about half an hour, and poured it in a covered mug. Every time the coughing begins, I take a sip of this warm drink. It feels soothing and shortens the episode. I still cough out real tiny phlegm, but the episode is less intense.

[notjustmethen]

Wow, I'm not alone.  I am British, but have lived in Singapore for the last year and have had this problem since I was 18.  I am now 33!  

It does seem to begin as a tickle/intense dryness on one or other of my tonsils.  Then my eyes water and nose runs and i find it hard to breathe properly.  I then seem to get loads of saliva which I swallow swallow swallow like mad.  I desperately need to cough, and do so.  I cannot talk.  When I cough I feel like I may vomit.  

These episodes happen once in a while, I may go for a few weeks with nothing then a week or so of frequent ones.  When I have a cold/sore throat it happens A LOT and loads at night.  It wakes me constantly.  I don't know what to do,  Drink doesn't help when an attack occurs, cough sweets do a little to slightly numb the throat enough to get me back to sleep (except last night I woke to find I was still sucking one - not a great idea!)

It definitely starts on the tonsil though, I'm sure that's where the problem is.  When I was younger I developed little holes in my tonsils, I wonder if that's causing it.  

Started to drink a drop of real lemon juice when it happens and that causes a lot of saliva to develop and perhaps stop the attack but not completely,

Weird

[Carlg]

I have an appointment with my ENT tomorrow and I'm printing out all of your responses. Not that it's going to make any difference but maybe someone will start to really look at what is plaguing all of us. If you could take a copy of these comments to your doctors maybe one of them might be able to figure something out. Just my recent thought since I'm awake because of having an attack.

[sounds_like_me]

Good idea to print this out and show it to your ENT.  Please let us know what you find out.  I just joined this community because I, like all of you, am sitting here at 12:51am at my computer trying to find some solution to ease this tickle in my throat that is keeping me awake at night, and embarrassing me at work by day.  I'm on Avelox (an antibiotic) to cure a sinus infection, but am actually more miserable 4 days after being on antibiotics than I was when I went to the PCP!  Same as you all are describing.  Well - good luck to all of you - please post any new information.  I'm going to go try sleeping on my chest like one gentleman suggested, so that I don't continue to keep my husband and kids awake tonight.

[Carlg]

Went to the ENT yesterday. He scoped my throat and said everything looked normal. The prevacid he gave me was working well. However he still could not find anything out of the ordinary. I gave him a copy of your experiences and he said he'd look at them when he had some time. One thing that struck me as funny was that the doctor numbed my throat so he could look down it. After I left his office my throat was completely numb. I had a hard time swallowing because I couldn't feel anything. However my throat started to tickle and Bam!!! I got a sever attack even with my throat completely numb. That surprised me. I thought for sure while my throat was numb I would not have an attack. So what ever this thing is you can't even numb it.

[coughmomma]

I posted last on April 13 and when I returned to my doctor, she said to try Prevacid. She gave me samples to last until my next appointment and I THINK that I started to get some relief. I say think as I just got another sinus infection and upper resp thing going and whenver I have some other thing making me cough, the tickle goes away. She did refuse my request for B12 saying that it wouldn't work. I am out of samples and return to her again on Wednesday. I have old prevacid from 5 years ago and have started taking it, but I'm still coughing so either the prevacid is bad or it never worked to begin with. My doc was very unsympatheic to my crying for help. My quality of life is GONE. My sex life is gone... I mean who wants to have sex with someone who might start coughing in the middle of it all? Expecially when it causes bladder issues!!! My relationship is suffering, my children are worried, I can't leave the house without a fresh COLD pepsi and praying that I wont cough while I'm out. If this is living, I don't want any part of it anymore.

[sister mtt]

Hi, I have had something like all of you ,I got a pneumoia in Jan and it well not clear up.
I got so bad two weeks ago that I just knew it was it! Then my Dr. ,who said would get to bottom of all this had to say, man you are just full, worse this time than the first time! AT
first he said I had asthma and then COPD then acid reflux, now for the first time in 4 months I have  pretty clear lungs still have a cough all the time. I think we cough so hard we throw up . My nose is always dripping, I always have a cough and now for no reason
my lungs are filling up for nothing! They say they cant find out why.They wanted to put
a tub down my noise for 24 hours and then as they take it out , see what my esophgus
dose as it comes out, sounds like to much fun for this old girl! Now i have had the same lungs for 55 years and I dont smoke, so now what guys?I do have asthma and I have had
this pneumoia off and on for 4 months, it puts scares in your lungs i do know that. I am
not getting any younger but why now all of a sudden? Why am I not getting over it altogeather? If any one reads this please let me know something, PLEASE! I did get
some INFO from ILL. lung Inst and they say it might be phibrosis of the lungs,Scars that make more scars and so on and so forth till you dont breath any more. You can get better at times an then it keeps coming back till you are no more! Pleas let me know some thing about it! If the girl with the phibrosis will Email me with some of her own
symtoms and share some INFO with me , Please! God bless you all and I will pray for us all tonight ,OKKKKK! I do bleave in prayers and i do know they work with GOD!

                                                                           Love YA ALL,

                                                                           sister mtt

[coughmomma]

I just wanted to say that my cough has virtually dissapeared with Prevacid. I still have an occasional cough which I'll gladly "deal" with... at least its not that sudden horrid cough attack that leaves you gasping for breath with eyes watering. This light cough happens maybe once a day and sometimes I can fight it, no more itchy throat either!

[coughmomma]

Cough is back and apparently the prevacid didn't stop it.

[Carlg]

Sorry to hear the prevacid didn't stop you cough. I've been taking it for about 6 mos. now and it has stopped my acid reflux but not the tickle. The only thing that been helping me not have as many attacks lately is chewing gum. However after awhile your jaw gets tired so it only works so long. Nothing new to report to everyone. If I learn anything else I'll let you know.

[coughmomma]

My doc tried mixing Singulair and Sudafed as well as the Prevacid. Nothing. I was beginning to think that the tickle WAS being caused by post nasal drip but the sudafed stopped that, but the tickle is still there. An occasional drink of VERY COLD soda will kick it, but I mostly rely on Ice Breakers Wintergreen sugar free mints. I'm just waiting to choke on one in my sleep though! UGH.

In two months I'm moving and hoping MAYBE that some weird allergy from this old house is causing the cough,, or maybe the clear county air will help.. If anything else, maybe my new doc with a new set of eyes will help.

I just can not see my coughing as something I'll have the rest of my life.


PS>. forgot to add that my current doc has said that "if this doesnt work, we'll have to look at the fact that because you smoked years ago, it could be residual smokers cough and you'll just have to deal with it!'... I smoked for MAYBE 4 years... not even a half pack a day... quit cold turkey 5 years ago, and never coughed once until after my bout with a severe resp cold in October 07... I swear I hate stupid docs.

[girlyv]

Hi Everyone,
I stumbled onto this board and couldn't believe how much I relate to what you all are saying.  I might have located a possible thing for us to look into - sarcoidosis.  It's apparently a rare disease that results in a combination of dry mouth and cough, as well as other symptoms.  The good news is that, if this is what's causing our problems, it's treatable with mild steroids and causes few if any long-term problems.

Okay so here's what makes me think some of us have sarcoidosis: This is basically a build-up of small tissue or lumps within the immune system of your body.  What happens is that something triggers it - like your body legitimately fighting a toxin or an illness - but your body doesn't stop fighting it when the toxin leaves or the illness is cured.  (Such as the person with the bug bites and those of us that has bronchitis at some point?) So the result is that these clumps of cells are formed.  They can be pretty much on any organ, but often they are lumps in the throat and/or the lungs.  This causes the strange and sudden coughing.

Other symptoms that people have (but not necessarily) are fever, weakness and fatigue, pain in the joints, pain in the chest and shortness of breath (causing asthma misdiagnoses) and loss of appetite.  Depending on where the lumps are located, you could also have calcium deposits somewhere (I have one on my foot and one on my knee), liver inflamation (inflammation) or kidney issues.

According to an article I read, it's rarely diagnosed properly because of a couple of reasons.  First, there is no, "Hey look - there it is!" kind of blood condition or anything to point to.  It can only be diagnosed by ruling other things out (as I think we are learning the hard way).  It's a rare disease (less than 1 in 2,000 people they think) so many doctors don't think of it.  And also, it can treat itself over time AND come and go making it like a moving target.

I'm not a doctor, but this just made sense to me and instantly I calmed down a bit at the thought of having a possible logical answer.  Hopefully it helps some of you too.

[Coughnana]

I thought I posted a comment, but I can't find it.  This is my first experience at posting, so I might have done something wrong.  If this post goes through, I'll try my original post suggestions again in another post.  Wish me luck.

[Coughnana]

Here I go again, trying to remember what I said in my original, lost post.

I've been suffering from this malady for many years in all environments, with most of the same symptoms as all of you:  sudden tickle in the throat with several seconds of advance notice before the choking cough arrives, simultaneously with the filling of both nostrils with mucus and tears running down the face from one or both eyes.  The cough is so severe and persistent as to cause nausea and sometimes vomiting and leaving me unable to speak for a few moments.

I had found that sipping a few sips of extremely hot water seems to stop the cough if I catch it fast enough.  So I have taken to carrying around a small thermos bottle of very hot water everywhere I go, even to bed at night.  Now here is what I have discovered just recently.  For fear of burning myself with the hot water, I have taken to holding the cup of hot water to my mouth, encompassing my nose, in order to blow on it.  In effect, what is happening is I'm breathing out and then in.  Instead of sipping the hot water, I'm letting the steam melt away the mucus and somehow relax the muscles of the throat.  Mind you, this is only about an ounce of hot water.  When the steam has had its effect, I then sip the small amount of water, blow my nose, wipe my eyes--and try to go back to sleep or go about my business--until the next attack.  

These attacks can be very frequent, several times a day or night--in the air-conditioned house or out of doors--but mostly in warm weather.  A few weeks ago, we had a spell of very rainy weather--several days.  The attacks disappeared at that time, only to return when the sun came out again.

I have allergy-induced asthma and inhale Asmanex once a day.  That treatment seems to help one type of cough which I can easily live with.  From time to time if I contract bronchitis, which I'm currently taking an antibiotic for, my cough is different, with plenty of phlegm (I also suffer from post nasal drip.)  But the worst cough is the Tickle Throat Cough.

If my suggestion above is tried by anyone and it helps, please let us all know.  Good luck.

[Carlg]

Thank you for the new theories and suggestions on this mystery ailment. I have nothing new to report on my end. I'm still getting these symptoms however I'm sleeping better at night or during the day since I'm working the night shift now. Is there anything that we all have in common that could be a cause or trigger?  Let's start with me. In the last year I have been diagnosed type 2 diabetes which I take pills for. I have high blood pressure which I take medication. That's about all the major things wrong with me outside of this tickle cough. I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Anyone else care to share something about themselves?
Thanks for the new info
Carlg

[Texasgal64]

I googled cough with throat tickle and found this great site!  Here is my tickle throat cough history.  For the second time in the past few years, I am battling this ailment.  The first time, I found I have mild asthma, had a pulmonary arterial/venus malformation discovered and fixed, tried changing blood pressure meds, took Nexium and finally found relief with a simple first generation antihistamine.  Then it was taken off the market and I was on my own again.  Luckily I was symptom free for awhile, but a few months ago,the throat tickle, followed by a violent coughing fits started up again.  This time I've had a lung x-ray which was clear, and doc has tried Tessalon Pearls, Zyrtec,  steroid shot and Nasamist with very little success.  I have several violent spells daily and several at night..  Tomorrow I am going to an allergist to see what I may be allergic to that is causing this post nasal drip that seems to be causing these episodes.  I had whooping cough when a was pregnant with my twins in the 60's.  That was worse than this but only because the whooping fits led to forced vomiting (not nausea induced) as well as bladder issues (mostly due to being pregnant).   I'll let you know what the allergist says...hope he has the answer!  I feel for all of you!

[coughmomma]

I'm also Type 2 diabetic (controlled via Metformin and Avandia A1C was 6.7 today), High Blood pressure (Lisinopril/Hctz--and yes this was looked at first as a probable cause), Hypothyroid (Synthroid) and apparent allergies with post-nasal drip (calmed by Sudafed over the counter--does not stop cough).

Does your cough seem to peak and subside at times? Mine seems to be fairly quiet for a couple weeks.. still coughing but not as horrible and sometimes able to calm it without coughing. Then it gets worse and is as bad as ever. Seems when it triggers bad, I am also dealing with increased sinus activity. However sinus/allergy meds do not work at all.

I did go to the doc today again... she gave me samples of a new allergy med called Xyzal. We'll see.

The only good thing of all of this is I have managed to lose 30 pounds in the past 3 months from all the meds.

[cring]

i love this forum!!! my fiance has been having the tickle throat syndrome... itchy thoat, dry cough. diagnoses and treatment for asthma, allergies and acid reflux but nothing works!!! we are seeing a pulmonologist in a month (to make sure that he really doesn't have asthma) but as of now, we are at a loss as to what to do. he coughs more at night and has been throwing up. oh wel, good luck to all of us!

[Carlg]

This is the latest in my part of this ongoing saga. I went to see a GI (Gastroenterologist) yesterday on the advice of my primary and ENT doctors. I gave them a copy of all your comments in this forum which they seemed interested in. (It seems after I give a doctor a copy of everyone else's comments they stop looking at me like I'm nuts) However right from the get go they seemed to be really interested in my symptoms. They didn't seem surprised by what I told them. When I told them sometimes when it really hurts I have to throw up, they said it was probably clear mucus before I finished the sentence. The doctor said it can be many things anywhere from acid reflux, ulcers, to esophageal problems which they said they are seeing more and more of. They said it could even be from having swallowed large pills that got stuck or scratched the esophagus. Of course they will need to do more tests to narrow it down but it seems like they think they can pin down at least what's causing my problems. You may also want to see a GI to see if he can help you. I'm not starting the test til the end of October because of work. Hopefully this will give others an avenue to pursue. Yes Cough Mama there may be light at the end of the tunnel. That's all for now

[Coughnana]

It seems after a period of about 3 weeks of no symptoms, the tickle throat cough has returned.  I'm back to sipping very hot water, which stops the cough in its tracks--especially if I can catch it fast enough.

[jen_andy]

i thought i am all alone in this battle against this tickle throat syndrome... i swear i am so scared i thought i was going to die after only two bouts of tickle throat attacks i coughed so hard i can no longer breathe i was grasping for air...i am planning to see a doctor tomorrow...

i don't mind coughing every now and then but this is the first time i had to grasp for air and thats a different story...

[Carlg]

Nothing new to report. The tickle in my throat took a 3 week vacation however it's come back again with a vengence. I'm looking forward to having the tests done at the end of October to see if the gastroenterologist can come up with anything. I will keep you posted.

Carlg

[Theorules]

I have suffered from this syndrome since high school.  It is great to hear you all feeling as confused as I am about it.  I always try to find someone who understands, but no one really does (except people who have it).  I had a doc tell me in college, "I can find nothing wrong with you," and send me on my way (but taking my money).  I had a preacher tell me it was anxiety attacks becuase I was having premarital sex!  I do believe it is stress related.  I always had them in college in class and had to run out to the bathroom and felt like I would die.  Then I started dressing in light clothes (in the winter) and taking a cold coke with me so I would be too cold for it to start (seemed to have something to do with getting hot and having mucus run down throat).  Well, more later.  I hve to run.  Your suggestions are good.  I think we all just have to find out what works for each of us.  I have been gasping for air lately and that is frightening.  BUt I think I would pass out before I die, so I will try not to worry about that!

PEace to all my Fellow Itchy Throat COugh Syndromers

[coughmomma]

Weirdly enough, the Xyzal has worked. I am no longer coughing. It's an expensive med and knocks you out at night (just one pill taken at night) but no allergy issues, and no cough. I was taking it with the Prevacid combo and recently stopped the prevacid and still no cough.. It has been over a month now! HOWEVER.... We have also moved. I SWEAR we had mold issues in the old house so part of me wonders if I was just highly sensitive to mold?  Anyone else have "potential or possible" mold issues? I would ask for Xyzal for a try at least to see if it helps you!  I did stop taking it for a week (because it makes you drowsy and I was on painkillers at night for tooth pain and didn't want to mix the two) and my cough showed up just for two days but very mild.. As soon as I started it up again, it went away.

[Theorules]

I do have potential mold issues in my house, and the other time when it was really bad (in college), I lived in an old sorority house that may have had mold.  Also, I walked to class in college (breathing cold, dry air) and then entered warm classroom and coughing fit set in in a few minutes.  Lately, I have been walking to work, so same situation.  But at least now I am very mindful of it.  I need to have time to be still after I get here, drink some water, blow my nose (VERY IMPORTANT!) and relax.  In college, I rushed from class to class and couldn't take time to do these things, so I had embarassing cough attacks (and yes, sometimes I have gagged and even heaved a little).

My (ever-evolving) cough attack plan:

Have water with me
Blow nose frequently
Have tissues with me
Dress in layers (I always get very hot when attack comes on and I want to get my clothes off)
Take allergy medicine (just decided to try this)
Purchase inhaler and keep near me
Try relaxation exercise of slow breathing and pursing lips like blowing out candle
(recommended in someone's post) when tickle comes on
Know these attacks most likely when I am sick.
Know these attacks most likely after walking in cold to a warm building.

The mold issue is just a depressing one because not really sure how to deal with that issue.  We rent and I doubt my landlord will be very helpful.

Anyway, thanks to all for your thoughts.  May we all breathe easy!

[Carlg]

This is an update of the test with the GI. Everything looked normal to him. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary. That's good news in one sense however it still doesn't answer the question about what's going on. So I guess I'm back to square one. Aside from that nothing is new.

That's it for now
Carlg

[Carlg]

To Everyone:

Well in late December and the beginning of January I had a couple of weeks where I had only a few attacks but by mid-January the attacks came back. The only thing I could think of to do was go on an elimination diet to see if there was any one thing that was triggering these attacks. However my wife was watching TV and saw an interview with a doctor who is a leading specialist on acid reflux. This caught her eye since most of the doctors I've gone to seem to think that it's acid reflux that is causing my attacks. Prevacid or Prilosec were two of the medications that he recommended to treat acid reflux. When she told me this I thought “ Well that’s nothing new since I’ve been taking Prevacid for about a year and lately twice a day and it still hasn’t stopped the attacks. “
This doctor then explained the way Prevacid and Prilosec work.  Every 24 hours the stomach lining produces pumps that pump acid into the stomach to digest food. In some people like myself the stomach produces too many pumps. What Prevacid does is stops the stomach from producing so many pumps. Thus less acid. However one key thing he said was “ YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS AT LEAST 30 MIN. OR LONGER BEFORE YOU EAT.  Well all this time I’ve been taking it with the rest of my pills after I eat. On the bottles of Prevacid from the pharmacy it doesn’t tell you to take it on an empty stomach to give it a chance to shut off the pumps. So for the last two weeks I’ve been taking it 30 to 60min before a meal.  And guess what…..In the last two weeks I’ve hardly had any attacks, only minor ones and none while I’m sleeping. So this is something you may want to try if you take Prevacid or Prilosec since it’s not on the instructions (at least not with the national chain pharmacy I go to). Hope this helps. I’ll update you later on my progress.

Carlg

[NYCcough]

I've been coughing for about a year now, and it's getting worse. It starts with a tickle in the throat, then a dry cough, then a little mucus comes up, then runny nose and watery eyes, uncontrolled swallowing, and then it all stops. Until next time - awake or asleep. My Dr said to try Claritin, it might be allergies. I'm 49 female, never had allergies before. I take Lotrel for high blood pressure (have been for 9 years). I had whooping cough when I was a kid. I smoked until 8 years ago. The cough comes regardless of where I am, NY or FL, so I don't think it is related to where I live. Just had a physical and all seems OK. Dr said to come back if the Claritin does not help he'll put me on some other allergy meds, and maybe send me to ENT Dr - so back I go...

[Carlg]

It's been 8 weeks since I started taking Prevacid an hour before eating. In that time I have not had ANY ATTACKS. I'm sleeping better and feeling like I have more energy.
Just thought I'd update everyone on how taking Prevacid the right way has made a difference. I'll update in a few more weeks.
Thanks
Carlg

[nunu776]

I can't believe so many people have this problem and no one knows what to do. I started having this problem in may of 2008 and I thought that it was going to be a quick fix. Almost a year later I am still having the same problem.

I have been to four different doctors and nobody can help me. First I was treated for a sinus infection with antibiotics and a nasal spray. I went back two weeks later and they said it was bronchitis and gave me a z pack. I went back and they gave me another z pack and it still didn't work.

I went to see another doctor who gave me breathing treatments and another nasal spray and that didn't work either. I went to see a lung specialist who gave me aciphex and that helped a little bit but I was still coughing.

This is really embarrasing but sometimes I cough so hard that I accidently pee on myself. I am too scared to go anywhere because I'm afraid I'll have an accident.

Now I'm at another doctor and I'm getting an allergy test but I don't know what that will turn up. I have never had any health problems my whole life and now I cough everyday just like is a normal part of my life. I hope somebody finds a remedy soon.

thanks,
nunu

[lynnkay]

I am not going to attempt to make any diagnosis, as I am not trained whatsoever to do so. And I do not want to scare anyone. These symptoms that have been mentioned, can be many different things I am sure. I though just want to say, that I can well relate to the tickle in the throat, the coughing, etc. I though have COPD. Been tested and confirmed by two doctors. The tickle in the throat can be maddening I know. I will feel it coming on and I know what lies ahead. I will drink liquids and take cough med, to try and stop the tickle. These things do not work for me. For me, I have to let the tickle just ease up on its own. While I am waiting for that to happen, I am coughing violently. Then, while coughing so hard, I of course will lose my breath. But, I do know and understand totally, what you all are saying about this tickle in the throat. I dread when I get this tickle. I also get much drainage in my throat. I will be fine and it will just appeart out of no where. I get this an awful lot as well. But, this all is due to my lung disease. I can clear my throat a hundred times and the mucus in my throat does not come up. I also just have to wait and let this pass as well. I was diagnosed many years ago with acid reflux. It showed up on an upper GI. I do not have trouble with the reflux like I once did. Mainly, due to learning what foods to avoid, sleeping with several pillows at night, etc. But, sometimes I have to take an acid reducer, when there is a flareup. The mucus in my throat is about a daily problem these days. And the tickle is becoming more frequent. Upon waking in the mornings, there feels like there is a cotton wad, down on in my chest as well. I will cough and cough for at least an hour upon waking.  Nothing ever much comes up though. I do take inhalers. Once the tickle passes and the mucus in throat passes, I will use my rescue inhaler. As struggling with these things, leaves me breathless and my chest tight and hurting. I have both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. I notice that even sometimes my rescue inhaler will take my breath away, when I take my puffs from it. But, eventually it does help some with my breathing. If tests are coming back good for you all, then that is a good sign. My COPD definitely showed up with a lung xray and a spirometry breathing test. But, I know this tickle, etc. is very real for you all just the same. I wish I had some further advice to give you all, but I do not. I just hope you all find the answers to this problem.

[Carlg]

Well guess what. It came back again. Even though I've been taking all my meds the right way. I'm disappointed because of having had relief for almost 2 months.
I'll keep you informed.
Carlg

[bionized1]

I listen to conspiracy radio at night...they claim lung problems are increasing at an alarming rate....I to have these problems with severe cough which then leeds to severe sneezing ...sometimes I'll sneeze for 15 minutes...inhaler helps...but the truth is that our govt. is spraying the skies over us called chem trails,and the products they spray are having an effect on us...look it up...fungus is part of the problem....cayenne pepper will help ...

[james223]

i have the same problem as you all. it really *****. ive tried everything. lozenges, cough medicines, steroid inhalers, chloraseptics. the only thing that has come close to working is Hydrocodone. it helps stop the coughing. if taken with a decongestant cough medicine it helps get rid of mucus build up in the lungs. try it. it worked for me.

[DebD72]

I have suffered with some sort of cough all my life (my G'ma thought I had TB ~ I don't). As I have gotten older it has changed. First, it only happened in cold weather months (from Oct - April). Then it just would come and go. The only thing that would relieve the cough was a steroid but it would come back every year. Lungs were always clear on x-rays & by the time I got into a specialist the cough would be gone.

This time is different.... went on vacation & came back w/a virus of some sort (saw Dr & just told me to take OTC meds). Have had a cough since June 20, '09. It just comes & goes when it chooses. Wet cough, incontinence, some times liquid vomiting or mucus ~ never the same. Have tried over the counter & nasal wash. Thinking will try a holistic view next.

Best of health to all!!!

DebD72

[squibbs]

I have just been reading all of your comments, and I too am glad that I am not alone in this.  My husband is so angry with me over it because he thinks that I can just get it fixed, but you can't, I see by all of your attempts.  I have many problems and think that drugs are doing it to me.  Only thing is I have been taking anti rejection drugs for 8 years and all of a sudden I get this Tickle Cough.  I am so unhappy about it all, it comes and goes, it can stay away for a month sometimes then its back with a vengence.  I hope that someone can get a fix on it and post their results.

Jane
Ontario Canada

[pudding01]

As many of you have said, it is such a relief to know that there are others out there with very similar problems to mine.  I have had a "chronic cough" for twelve years now.  I have been to various specialists and have taken all their advise and medicines that they have thrown at me, but nothing helps.  My problem seems to start with a tickle in my upper chest - just below my throat.  This brings on a coughing attack, sometimes mild, sometimes severe.  Once the coughing has stopped I am left having to clear my throat for anywhere between half an hour to an hour.  I must just add that, three years ago I coughed so badly that I herniated my stomach and had to have surgery.  They wanted to hold off doing the surgery until my cough had gone away.  I told them to look at my records and they would see that it never goes away.

I have high blood pressure but the doctor has changed my medication several times.  Didn't help.  I also take a beta blocker - that has also been changed several times.  No change.

I very rarely cough at night and hardly ever when I am outside, however, when I am in my recliner and my neck is at a certain angle, that can spark off an attack.

Let's hope someone, somewhere, can help us.

Thanks for listening/reading.

Pudding

[SimbaBiggs]

Hi. I've honestly just become desprit for help. Im 17 years old and I am having these horrible attacks just like all of you. I will out of NO WHERE just start choking so horribly that I cant even breathe or speak and it gets so horrible that I puke. I could be sleeping and just be woken up feeling like Im about to DIE because the attack is sooooo horrible.Im so fed up. Ive talked to my GI doctor and he did an upper endoscopy and found NOTHING wrong of course. Then I had one of those swallow tests. Which came out pretty normal. Now they tell me theirs nothing else they can do. I just feel so hopeless. I really want to start college but Im so scared of having these attacks during class. I will be so embaressed. Ive already had a few in restraunts and everyone stares at you because they think your about to choke to death... and I feel like I am every time. Every time I have one of these I usually end them with a sneeze and then I get a horrible headache for a few hours. Im just so worried about everything. Im scared I wont be able to have a job. or I will have an attack while Im driving and get into an accident.Im so embaressed when it happens in public. I just want help so bad. I just want something that can help me. I went through a period for about the last two months and I honestly thought it was going away and it was getting a lot better but the past 3 days I have gotten it back. I have been choking horribly. Waking up out of my sleep and vomiting. If someone can message me or tell me SOMETHING I can do that would help it would be wonderful. I dont want to have to go though this for the rest of my life. good luck to everyone.

[NYCcough]

Continued ... I've now tried to Claritin - nothing. Tried Zyrtec - nothing. Then got a Nasonex presciption from Dr - nothing. Then had a week of Prednisone - it lessened the cough, but did not stop it.

Now I'm taking OTC Prilosec - one in the morning before eating/drinking anything - and it's helping! I've gone entire days now without coughing. So - my cough must have something to do with stomach/acids... Going to Dr in two weeks. We'll see how it goes...

[horizon4]

I recently had severe headaches on the right side of my head and the glands in my throat were swollen--my body ached severely and my doctor diagnosed the Flu. gave me Depo shot in office and prescribed Tamiflu for 5 days.  This is my 9th day and not sure when tickle in throat started, but it is horrible.  I can't control it and by the time it sneaks up on me --there is nothing I can do but cough until my chest hurts,gag and sometimes a dreadful sneezing attack follows--maybe there is an allergen we are unaware of.  i take metformin. lisinopril, tiazac. going back to doc next week will adress this issue-- thought I was alone.  thanks everyone

[Carlg]

My tickle and cough has taken a vacation for a few weeks it seems. I've been trying to eliminate certain foods from my diet and it seems to be helping in additions to all the pills I take. Some of the things I've found that seem to set it off are certain chocolates, not all just some. Mint seems to set it off. Some vinegar also do it. I may have a food allergy to some foods but I don’t think that is the real problem. I’m waiting for the next round of attacks. However for now I’ll just enjoy the brief reprieve.
Thanks for being there and listening to me.
Carlg

[trazerogers]

I am shocked to see this is so common.  I am currently suffering from an upper respiratory virus that is making me cough and caused me to search the internet for some remedy.  In the last several years I have had an increasing issue with this type of coughing even when I'm not sick.  If I lay on my left side in bed at night it triggers a tickle and subsequent cough.  If I eat certain rough foods like popcorn, nuts, cocount or bread that has lots of grains or seeds it easily irritates my throat and can trigger a coughing attack, even though I am not allergic to those foods.  Sometimes it's nothing more than my throat feeling dry and getting a "catch" in my throat.  I have also experienced a tickle being triggered by using a q-tip in my ear.  Unlike many of you I have not been to doctors.  I just assumed it was nasal drip that was making my throat extremely sensitive.  When I do get a coughing attack it is just like many have described....violent, eyes water, nose runs, can't hold my bladder, get extremely overheated and red in the face.  In the extreme I gag and almost vomit and cannot stop the gag reflex.  Like others I am very interested if anyone can find an answer to what we are suffering.  I saw another poster mention contacting Oprah and thought of the recent advertisement for the new Doctor Oz show that is premiering in mid- Sept.  I visited the website and sent an e-mail with a link to these postings and a suggestion they do a show on this topic.  If others would send in a similar suggestions maybe we could shed some light on this issue and see if there is any relief to be had.  Here is the link to the Dr Oz website, contact page:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Respiratory-Disorders/Tickle-in-throat-makes-me-cough-and-choke/show/284228?forums=forums

Thanks all for sharing their stories and letting us all know we are not the only ones experiencing this.
Tracey

[brightmind]

I've been suffering for 3 years with this and have some real ideas, which have worked for me.  One of the keys is to keep track of local pollen and mold counts (inidoors and outdoors, and to keep indoor humidity below 40%). My coughing will start once the blooming, mold and humidity rise.

For me it feels like my throat is closing as well.

I went to 3 allergists, 2 ENTs and 1 pulmonologist. I went through speech and voice therapy for paradoxical vocal fold motion.  I really did need to relax, and the stress of coughing accumulates in the upper neck and back.

The pulmon. was most helpful saying nothing should irritate the esophogus due to hyperreactive airways (upper) ... Tussionex, "nuclear doses of medrol/prednisone", reflux meds, prilosec, anitibiotics if cold, and dry the upper respiratory up so no mucus drips. She also said coughing begets more coughing and once the cycle is set up hard to change.  Dr. Karen Lahive - Faulkner Hospital, Boston, MA My alt. med doc, said MOLD toxicity and allergy. Also tested me for mycoplasma pneum. I tested positive. They are now (at year 2) doing the DNA PCR for mycoplasm... plus lyme (positive bands), etc...
Look up Biofilm as well.  
Book reference: mold warriors by Dr. Schumaker.  www.biotoxins.info. and referrals to docs in your area if you want to follow up.
  
Now, an allegist debunked the mold theory saying we evolved from caves and moldy places, but he missed the point.  Black mold exposure etc.. can have long term ramifications, and must be actively detoxed from body (exercise, sauna, and cholestramine).  

I noticed undetectable post nasal drip in my throat that caused the coughing as well, and used the NELIMED sinus rinser dutifully 2x daily. (Dr. Alex Binginham, Visions Medical)   Another ENT said Mucinex 1200mg daily, along with everything else.  The Mucinex, (Dr. Nicholas Busaba Mass Eye and Ear) and the Nelimed, is great together. I used  some herbal knowledge and experimented with various concoctions of solutions in the Nelimed sinus rinse bottle, including:  1 drop of collodial silver and 1 drop of either hydrogen peroxide or grapefruit seed extract in the nasal rinse (as not sure I needed to treat fungus in the nos e(candida), bacterial infection (collodial silver), etc...  This was very effective. Totally resolved the issue!   It also made me realize how much mucus was really up there...

HISTAMINE DROPS worked wonders as well (see an serial endpoint titration specialist) , in stopping attacks cold.
First generation antihistamines (benadryl and chlorphentamine) are the only ones that have an effect on me (which is in the Tussionex, which is sometimes the only way I can sleep when the coughing is really intense.)

Smaller meals, digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar, liver cleansing herbs, and DGL.  Also helped.  

Here's my theory.  Its acutally 3-4 separate things, creating hell on earth.

1. allergies, mold, pollen, dampness, ACs and fans,  etc... (follow anti candida diet, and gluten free - grains have high levels of mycotoxins). CAUSE post nasal drip and throat itching  and coughing.  Coughing begets more coughing...
2.  MASSIVE coughing spells, create a form of reflux,(not discussed much but common with singers and athletes)...  negative pressure in esophagus, literally ***** up the stomach acid to our esophagus creating more irritation and continued/more severe coughing.

3.  Ongoing dripping and allergens creates mino or majorr upper respiratory issue, resulting in need for 1200mg mucinex, nelimed nasal rinse, antibiotics, and tussionex.  

Once this pattern of causation is understood, the realization of allergy + digestion + nose becomes clearer.

I hope this helps... its the result of 4 years of suffering and spending tons of money on meds and mds!

Like others,

[kellyd3960]

I am a 36 year old woman, do not take any regular medications and have suffered from this horrible cough for years, as has my mom.  For me it happens when I am getting over a cold, for a few days or up to a  week.   Always happens in the daytime, of course usually when I am at work-maybe stress can trigger an episode?  It starts out with a sudden tickling in my throat, then the gagging cough starts along with nose running, eyes watering, and sometimes it gets so bad I gasp for breath and double over, retching.  Have only actually vomited once during one of these episodes.  

Its just awful when this happens especially in public and at work.  I used to work retail, usually could escape back into a stockroom when this happened.  But now I work in a doctors office at the front desk, so I must immediately run to the lunchroom or wherever, its so embarrassing, everyone can hear me and think I am dying and why is she at work with that horrible cough!  I have missed 2 days of work already from this cold and I just dread going back to work tomorrow because I think this will probably happen again.  

I read on another website that someone had some success with sipping a small amount of vicks 44D cough syrup, someone else mentioned sipping hot water, both of which i plan to keep on hand tomorrow.  Good luck to all of us in trying to prevent these awful episodes.

[Carlg]

My tickle has come back. I caught a cold and after the cold was over with, the tickle came back. So I'm back to only getting so many hours sleep a night.
Carlg

[sopa1954]

What a relief it is to find all of you. I have had your symptoms since the fall of 2001. I had minor surgery and have coughed, sometimes violently, every day since. I have seen doctors, specialists, had every test on the books and run the gamut of prescription and OTC meds. No relief. It is so hard to imagine that so many suffer from this and so little is learned about it. I have tagged you to my favorites. I'll be checking in to see how you are doing. After 8 years, I am out of new ideas to try.