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violent coughing...is it laryngeal spasms?

Hello. Yesterday my doctor suggested I might have Laryngeal Spasms, and while I wait 2 months for the Throat specialist to get my appointment, she suggested I look online.  But my symptoms don't seem to match all of yours...no voice problems or 'breathing' problems.  I just get these violent coughing attacks that literally feel and behave as if I inhaled a bread crumb, and my body suddenly and violently is trying to cough it up.  And just like when we are choking, I have a hard time catching my breath during these violent choking fits.   By the time I'm done 4-8 minutes later, I'm shaking, tears streaming down my face, and I've probably wet myself.  Its horrible!  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Oh, and this happens at all hours of the day and night, and usually, its not when I'm eating.   Its frightening to wake up from a deep sleep choking like this. She suggested curbing any reflux I might be having, but I rarely ever have heartburn (but I'll try anything now!)  I do note that it happens more often when my respiratory system is weakened by a cold, or allergy season, or even a little cough.  I'm thinking she might be in the right ballpark, but not the right diagnosis.  Thanks for your help.  
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Avatar universal
I have this exact issue honestly my doctor diagnosed me with asthma for it meds. helped for a bit but then I get sick or cold etc and I start all over when my system is weekend just like you. I been battling it and the doc is about to change my medication again. but three doctors all agree is a really bad case of asthma. Good luck getting your checked out its the most painful things I've ever experienced going into my fit and I've gone through labor i think this is worse then that feeling.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I contacted a cough when leaving the hospital after having knee surgery. It has been nine months now and I am still coughing. The doctors I have seen about this are in the dark as to what is causing this other than GERD, so I am prescribed acid reflux medicine which I take every morning. Still, I can be eating and all of a sudden the coughing starts and doesn't finish  until my larynx spasms and cuts off my air which makes me panic cause I can't breathe and when it releases, I usually throw up, my nose is running  my eyes are red and watering and I give this giant sneeze and it is over. WTH is this. I can be out in public and have an attack , so it's hard to socialize and go out even to a movie. Anyone have this and have found a cure?
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Avatar universal
Here is my issue which just started. If i just randomly cough. I get this feeling in my throat of like little needles sticking me. Mostly on my left side. When that happens I will cough several more time to where i feel the need to vomit. This does not last long for me because I try to calm myself. So I never vomit but I find myself clearing my throat and swallowing alot. My eye are all watery. I am not sure what causing it. But it seems to happen at home either morning or night. I need answer.
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Avatar universal
I have these fits several months ago when I was exposing myself to something I had become newly allergic to. It turns out this was the early symptom of me becoming allergic to milk. I'm not sure if it's that reason for all of you but I would suggest removing  All Jerry and don't forget that butter is still dairy so and I use vegan butter to fry eggs and then secondly soy. Try removing them the diary or both if possible for about a week or 2 weeks and see if there's any change believe it or not I did this and found that I had become allergic to milk quite suddenly at the age of 34 years old.  It got so bad that I was on a blank you'll inhaler and there are considering steroids I actually got misdiagnosised with Reactive airway disease
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Avatar universal
WE FINALLY FOUND OUR CURE!!!!!
WE TOOK A 1.5 fl oz bottle of saline solution, removed the stopper and then removed the tiny thin straw and threw it away. Keep the stopper you need to put it back on the bottle. We added 26 drops of grapefruit seed extract, and 20 drops of sovereign silver. Recapped the bottle and shook to mix. We tilted our heads back and squirted 1/2 the bottle down our nostrils and SWOLLED it. We did this three times a day for seven to ten days. The results started to work after the first day. Our chocking decreased and FINALLY stopped! We don't feel the grains in our throat any more. These two things combined kill bacteria, viruses,fungi,and mold. We took several weeks of a strong probiotic acidophilus because it kills the good bacteria too. Hope this works for you. For us it was a UNBELIEVEABLE!! Cost around $40 total.
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Avatar universal
WE FINALLY FOUND OUR CURE!!!!!
WE TOOK A 1.5 fl oz bottle of saline solution, removed the stopper and then removed the tiny thin straw and threw it away. Keep the stopper you need to put it back on the bottle. We added 26 drops of grapefruit seed extract, and 20 drops of sovereign silver. Recapped the bottle and shook to mix. We tilted our heads back and squirted 1/2 the bottle down our nostrils and SWOLLED it. We did this three times a day for seven to ten days. The results started to work after the first day. Our chocking decreased and FINALLY stopped! We don't feel the grains in our throat any more. These two things combined kill bacteria, viruses,fungi,and mold. We took several weeks of a strong probiotic acidophilus because it kills the good bacteria too. Hope this works for you. For us it was a UNBELIEVEABLE!! Cost around $40 total.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
did this work permanently or are you doing this monthly/weekly/daily?  
Avatar universal
My symptoms include uncontrollable coughing, incontinence, tickle in throat, dry throat, wheezing after long coughing spell, gagging, vomiting mucus/phlegm only even after I eat, constant throat clearing. I have been tested for asthma, bronchitis, been told I have SILENT REFLUX. Have been to an ENT...all she did was stick a camera thru my nose and down my throat to see if my voice box was damaged. My PCP was useless. Gastrointestinal doc wants me to stop eating almost everything! I have stopped eating cheese, bananas, so far.
Any relief would work right now!
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Avatar universal
Do you have acid reflux? Are you taking Prevacid, Nexium, or Prilosec? I believe these medicines are the cause of dry cough. I had same issue and when stop using these and going to Zantec or Ranitidine (I think I spelled that correctly) I have been fine. Give yourself 2 weeks without any of the top 3 and you will see the difference.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please, read the new post about our cure.
Avatar universal
I hope someone can help me, please. Off and on all day long. I will start coughing to where I can't talk I'm trying to catch my breath. It is driving me insane and it bothers the people that are around me. What do I do. Please help me I cannot go another day like this. Please.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Pertussis (whooping cough) is making a comeback, thanks to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. The symptoms you describe could be a number of things but whooping cough is highly contagious. It's worth looking into.  Please read about the symptoms. Good luck.
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3 Comments
Wow! I am going through the same exact thing! I feel like I almost died last night. It is an extremely scary situation when this happens. Extremely! Wake up from a deep sleep without the ability to breathe and coughing so violently I tear up and yes pee myself as well. What is this???? Help please......
I also have this issue where I feel the need to clear my throat very frequently every day and night. I'm sure the two issues are linked but I don't know how and I certainly don't trust Dr.'s like AT ALL. I have spent over $500 on those quacks and I get "I don't know"! Unbelievable, our medical system can only figure things out for the right price, not the right reasons anymore. So I want to figure how to fix this naturally at home.
Please, read the new post about our cure.
Same here....I Google the situation and seem like we have called Laryngeospasm.  After coughing I can't inhale air. But I feel calm sip little water and disappear. But like all we don't like that panic.  Only when I cough it happens.
Avatar universal
Hello,

I had EXACTLY the same symptoms as you for the past five years. It was like a prickle attached to my throat and then I'd almost die violently coughing, tears would stream down my face just like you and then Id be fine five mins later.

I'd go to the doctor the next day and tell them I almost died the day before and they dismissed me because I was now fine!

Two year ago we discovered or two year old son had asthma and so I started reading all about it. I then discovered that adult could get late onset asthma and so I decided to get assessed.

Sure enough that's what it was! If you are still not diagnosed please please please go get assessed for late onset adult asthma. Make sure you go to a doc who specializes in it as other doctors will just dimes you.

I have since had chronic attacks that have been frightening and I've been lucky to have the asthma medication to get through the attacks. Always worse when I have a cold or throat condition. I don't lave the house without my ventolin.

There are so many replied to your question I do hope you found out a long time ago if you have asthma or not.

Wishing you all the best and I hope this message gets to you before you have a attack that is life threatening.
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3 Comments
I have had bronchitis for two months now. It started with a sore throat then a dry cough and then bronchitis so bad that I've been to ER 4 times because I had trouble breathing. They gave me an inhaler and prednisone for five days. Two months later I still have the deep dry hacking cough. It has become spasmodic to the point where it feels I am about to vomit. I pee my pants, watery eyes runny nose and can not stop coughing. It hurts to take a deep. Death and my chest feels very tight. Please help. What can I do?
I have had bronchitis for two months now. It started with a sore throat then a dry cough and then bronchitis so bad that I've been to ER 4 times because I had trouble breathing. They gave me an inhaler and prednisone for five days and also a cough syrup with cidinevwich just knocks me out. Two months later I still have the deep dry hacking cough. It has become spasmodic to the point where it feels I am about to vomit. I pee my pants, watery eyes runny nose and can not stop coughing. It hurts to take a deep breath  and my chest feels very tight. Please help. What can I do?
Please, read the new post about our cure.
Avatar universal
I'm so glad that I'm not the only person out there dealing with this, but on the other hand I'm terrified because no one has found a definite cause for it. I'm shocked to heard that some of you have had this for years. It's 4am and I just had another one, but this is the first one I've come across that I ended up gasping for air because it wouldn't give me time to breathe. Fluid was coming out everywhere, my nose was running my mouth was drooling, tears were uncontrollably running down my face and I was gagging a lot. I'm so sick of waking up in the middle of the night from this. I don't know if age has been a factor but, I'm 16.
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2 Comments
You poor darling..I've commented a couple of times already above about checking out 'leaky gut syndrome'. A good naturopath can help. Also drinking Taheebo tea helpd with intestinal inflammation which may help settle things down along with some natural health shop syrups for the coughing..Malcolm Harkers range is very good!
Yvio. IT IS NOT LEAKY GUT SYNDROME! None of those systems are the same as these. Wth is wrong With you ! Jesus
Avatar universal
Hi did you get any response or help for this dreadful condition? I suffer with it too.
Clarabelle64
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
So far after 2 months with every symptom that others have listed No Relief
I am going to start taking Benedryl several times per day up to the suggested limit
Read my 1st Comment
Makemyday16
Avatar universal
Hello. I am 64 and just started having these coughing fits also. Have gone to doctor who said I have a bronchial infection. Took blood and sent me home with Zpac. I am still coughing an just had to get up out of bed because the coughing was so bad I felt like my head was going to burst or I would have a heart attack. Have found this forum helpful. Now at least I have some ideas and questions to ask when i return to see Dr. Recently opened up a wall in my bathroom and founs black mold. I asked DR. to have my blood screened for this also. Have had allergies most of my life and this is very disturbing. Going to buy Depends, because i dont know what elsr to do about the bladder out of control.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
So far I have found nothing to help me with these coughing spasms just like you I've gone to doctors specialists I've taken Benadryl and cough syrup,  a bronchial inhaler I've been careful about what I'm eating I do have acid reflux but I take Nexium and Zantac I've been tested by a Pulmonologist, Gastrointerologist, General Physician even Urgent Care. In the past two months I've taken Z pac,  amoxicillin, cough surup with codeine, and more  Adding a regular sleep pattern and changing my diet and exercises still no change  It can start anywhere or anytime wetting requires that I wear a protective pad This is overwhelming for a normally healthy active woman.... help!!
Please look into 'leaky gut syndrome'. You will probably get to the root of your problems.
Avatar universal
I too suffer from this awful dilemma which is what lead me to this forum. Im looking for answers. It all starts with a cold which I'm still battling. I've been extremely  stressed on top of that so I know my immune system is comprimised. It starts with what feels like dust landing on a dry patch in my throat. Then a cough that sends me running into isolation and obscurity.  The cough becomes so violent that the tears, almost peeing myself,and splitting headaches set in. I have to clear my throat for an hour after before homeostasis sets back in. I've had to run out of class, leave church services, whatever, just so I can hack my head off. I hate this and it didn't start until my 30's. Why now?
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I relate to every word  This is something I never experienced before It is very bad
Look into 'Leaky gut syndrome'.They say most of our sickness/disease comes from the gut.
Avatar universal
Hi did you find a cure? I'm currently having the same issue.

please advise

thanks

Joe
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have suffered from these after a cold for many, many years -- the sudden coughing fit or spasm running its course, eyes watering, nose running, violent coughing.  If I am lucky, I don't pee my pants.  I recover in a few minutes.  The best trick, as noted by previous posts, is as soon as you get that "tickle," pound tons of ICE COLD water and follow with a strong cough drop but you have to get it right away or you are too far gone to be able to do it. I always have a bottle of water and Halls right at my fingertips if I am riding in someone's car or in a meeting.  

I was reading that it can be caused by acid reflux which is not normal for me, but the action of excessive coughing brings up acids into the throat area creating inflamation which is known to cause these spasms -- actually they are vocal cord spasms.   I am going to experiment with taking something like Nexium every day during and recovering from a cold.  The next time I get a cold, try Tums for a comparison.  It's worth a shot.   One anecdote:  My Norwegian grandmother had an old-school method of preventing these during sleep which my parents did for me when I was a kid and it seemed to help.  It was a washcloth dunked in ice water, rung out, wrapped around the throat with a hand towel around that.  I think I will try the Tums route these days but since gramma's method offered some relief while the washcloth was cold, that seems to support the inflammation-causing-spasms idea.  Reduce the acid in your stomach, cool and hydrate the throat.  If there is acid in there, water will dilute it temporarily.  Cold, cold water.
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Avatar universal
Very interesting post above ^ but don't think it's the cough we are talking about. I suffer from the same thing, i.e. fairly rare throat tickle that persists and causes heavy coughing, I don't freak out though because c'mon, if you are gonna die, then you are. I am no doctor but I do notice that it only emerges after a bad cold or flu. Considering that everywhere is said that a viral bug causes this, perhaps the cough is to do exactly with the virus. I know that a virus infects our body by attacking one of our body cells and using it to reproduce. Once the new viruses are developed inside the body cell, they can remain dormant for long periods of time until your organism is weak for example, so they break out from the invaded body cell to have a higher chance to infect your body. When they break out, the cell that the virus used for reproduction is dead and this causes damage. Perhaps the virus damages some of the cells inside our throat, and perhaps the nerves are affected and perhaps get damaged by that and occasionally malfunction after the disease. Anyway unless it's chronic, it seems to happen after a viral bug. If people have those on occasion after a bug, and nothing happens, perhaps not to worry. Those who have a cough that chokes them or a chronic cough should definitely be worried however I believe, and should seek medical advise.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a horrendous cough for at least 10 years or more. I'm a nurse. My other nurse friends kept telling me I sounded like I had TB and I did. I had pulmonary tests and every other darn thing. I was on 2 inhalers and singulair even though my pulmonary tests came out fine. Then one day I was at work crying because I was tired to the point that every day was like climbing a mountain to get out of bed to get to work. I was foggy headed a lot of the time and this darn cough continued. Then someone suggested I get off gluten. I thought this was ridiculous since I had no gastrointestinal problems but decided it was worth a try. Two weeks later the cough I'd had for 10 years was gone and my energy had begun to return. I later had the biopsy of the small intestine (the only true test)  to prove this is what the problem was all along.- Just a suggestion in case some of you do not have laryngeal spasm.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
my situation is like most of the people sharing their experiences here, i just started like a week ago and from that day im not living... im scared to death, i went to several drs algready, start taking magnesium,, and wlll start that teraphy with magnets hope that help.... i need help .... any dr respond....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have this chronic cough. I've had it since I was a teenager.Attacks so violent I can't breathe & literally feel I will choke to death.It starts as a tickle on  the left side of my throat. Can be triggered from nearly any fragrance, perfume,cigarette smoke,even some foods being cooked.I am now 42&have had bad attacks since Christmas. It is now March.I've been to my doctor twice over 2months  but nothing has helped. It gets to the point I throw up,can't hardly sleep&am exhausted from all the coughing. I miss work over it.I'm too drained to do anything. I've tried every  over the counter meds.Nothing works.I spend a lot of money on awful tasting cough drops that barely help me not strangle. I keep bottled water with me all the time too.Doctors tell me it is post nasal drip&my sinuses. Also my allergies.I keep this all year round! I hate living this way.Can't talk most of the time.I stay hoarse. Then when I try to talk I get strangled. I try to focus on getting in air when these attacks happen. It is very scary not being able to catch your breath.Over last year it is getting worse.I thought I was the only one who suffered from this.Why can't we find a cure??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've had a terrible cold for the past 4 days-also have asthma. Non productive coughs - but always the urge to cough. Musenex not helping. Past 2 days never sure when to expect it- I break into such a coughing spasm that I feel as though I am going to pass out. Like I can't stop and feel my air running out. Been hitting nebulizer at least 3-4 times a day. The last attack about 30 min ago really put a good scare into me.
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Avatar universal
Let me correct: That is ground mustard SEED!
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Avatar universal
I am happy I found this site too.  I have been suffering with this spasmodic cough since I quit smoking in July.  I had no idea what it was and it began as just a cough, but has progressed to the spasms, where my breath if literally taken away and that's the way it seems to start--not with a tickling in my throat, but just a sudden involuntary intake of breath.

I have tried so many things, but the honey definitely works to subdue the cough.  I use only raw honey, (the solid kind) and I buy 3, 3-lb containers a month.  It really is helpful.

I also make a raw ginger, onion, grapefruit (peel the outer skin and leave the white part), garlic, and cabbage drink in my blender. I go through almost a quart of this a day.  

I also drink hawthorne-berry and soursop tea.  I started on these, first with soursop, thinking I might have cancer, and then the hawthorne berries, thinking it might be my heart.  This tea really does seem to help.  For the tightness in my chest, I just take an aspirin/caffeine pain reliever.  It's called a back and body formula.  I get it at Dollar Tree for $1.  It amazingly take the pain and tightness in my chest away.

I also do baking soda and molasses and apple-cider vinegar and honey drinks.  I don't always get them in enough during the day, but I try to get at least two in per day.

I am also thinking about getting some Benadryl, because I am sure that there is some kind of allergy involved. I have cats so that is a distinct possibility.

After this has been going on since the summer, last night I tried an old fashioned mustard plaster.  It worked like a champ.  No coughing for the two hours I had it on, and no coughing when I went to bed. It burns a little, after you put it on and for the time it's on, but I don't even care.  The relief it gave was phenomenal.

I don't go to doctors, but my son was concerned so we went to an urgent care facility.  He just wanted me to get a chest x-ray, which they did and my lungs were clear.  The PA (not a doctor) said it could be COPD, and she prescribed an inhaler, some drug that numbs your throat and lungs and an antibiotic.  I took none of those things.

I do not want to get addicted to an inhaler, the side affects of the "numbing drug" were horrendous (even death) and I have enough natural antibiotics in the garlic I take. I also take oil of oregano and colloidial silver, in case it is an infection, but I don't think so.  I don't have the phlegm or mucus.

I have never been sick in my life and this condition has forced me to stay at home almost all the time.  Luckily for me, I am retired and don't have to go to work.  I can't imagine having to deal with this and have to work.

Oh yes, I also make up my own turmeric, curry powder, and cayenne pepper capsules and take about 10 each of those per day, besides Vitamin C and other vitamins.

I feel much better today after the mustard plaster and I will definitely be making another one of those up tonight.  It felt so good, despite the burning.  You make it by grinding 1 tablespoon of mustard, then mixing that with 3 tablespoons of flour, add water and make a paste.  Then you spread it on a cloth (I always have cotton flannel on hand for bandages) fold it over and put on your chest for two hours.  

Marvelous!  I do hope people will keep posting info. on this very aggravating condition.  And a big thank you to all who have helped.
Helpful - 0
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