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Wheezing in throat at night
For the past 2 years or so I have had allergy problems, specifically with my nose. It is blocked on and off during the day, which is very embarrasing as everyone who I work with thinks I have a constant cold! I saw an ENT who said I had a nasal polyp and a deviated septum. He said I can have surgery to alleviate this but it might not 100% cure the problem. After doing some research online, I noticed how others had this exact same surgery but it didn't help them at all. I have decided against the op due to the stress of it and the fact it may not work.
I have tried Fexofenadine, Loratadine, Rhinocort and Flixonase, all work to an extent but do not cure me completely. I sometimes feel that taking a nasal spray actually makes me more susceptible to catching colds!
Anyway, after a bad chest infection a year and a half ago I was given a Ventolin inhaler as well. This helped at the time top open my chest up. Now, since then I ALWAYS wake up in the middle of the night with a wheezing throat, some times a cough as well. I take a puff of the Ventolin and this gets rid of the wheeze. I have told my doctor this and even had an asthma test, but this came back negative. My doctor told me it is ok for me to take the Ventolin even though I am not asthmatic as the wheezing is to do with my allergies.
I have tried a humidifier, adjusting the central heating and all the antihistamines and nasal sprays, but nothing will let me have a good nights sleep. Sometimes I wake up once to take a puff, sometimes three times. As this has been going on for so long, I have developed an anxiety for breathing and do feel like I need the Ventolin even though there is no wheeze during the day. I have had panic attacks where I couldn't breath but as long as I calmed down I didn't need the puffer.
I am at a loss as what to do as I feel like I have tried everything, and my doctors maybe do not know what the problem is. What is interesting is that I went on holiday to Las Vegas earlier in the year and it was over 100 degrees there - during the whole holiday, I had no problems at all with my breathing or wheezing. It was like it just disappeared. The day I came home, the problems all returned.
I have tried Fexofenadine, Loratadine, Rhinocort and Flixonase, all work to an extent but do not cure me completely. I sometimes feel that taking a nasal spray actually makes me more susceptible to catching colds!
Anyway, after a bad chest infection a year and a half ago I was given a Ventolin inhaler as well. This helped at the time top open my chest up. Now, since then I ALWAYS wake up in the middle of the night with a wheezing throat, some times a cough as well. I take a puff of the Ventolin and this gets rid of the wheeze. I have told my doctor this and even had an asthma test, but this came back negative. My doctor told me it is ok for me to take the Ventolin even though I am not asthmatic as the wheezing is to do with my allergies.
I have tried a humidifier, adjusting the central heating and all the antihistamines and nasal sprays, but nothing will let me have a good nights sleep. Sometimes I wake up once to take a puff, sometimes three times. As this has been going on for so long, I have developed an anxiety for breathing and do feel like I need the Ventolin even though there is no wheeze during the day. I have had panic attacks where I couldn't breath but as long as I calmed down I didn't need the puffer.
I am at a loss as what to do as I feel like I have tried everything, and my doctors maybe do not know what the problem is. What is interesting is that I went on holiday to Las Vegas earlier in the year and it was over 100 degrees there - during the whole holiday, I had no problems at all with my breathing or wheezing. It was like it just disappeared. The day I came home, the problems all returned.
Chlamydia in the lungs would not show up in a blood test. Mucus and tissue samples from deep in the lungs are required for diagnosis. Chlamydia is just one type of bacteria that can cause this type of problem.
I would see how the showering works for now before making any apointments with your doctor.
Continue to feel better.
I would see how the showering works for now before making any apointments with your doctor.
Continue to feel better.
Thank you for your helpful response. As you suggested previously, I actually took a shower before bed last night - I don't know if its coincidence, but I slept through the whole night and was only slightly wheezy when I woke up to get up for work. I will try it again tonight and hope for the same!
One thing I didn't mention, after the chest infection and before the wheezing properly began, I also too suffered sinus trouble (I think it runs in my family aswell). I used Rhinocort Aqua which cleared my nose within 2 weeks. It was then I noticed the wheezing. I was a bit scared at first to use the inhaler as I thought it was for bad chest infections, or asthma, none of which I believed I had. I was convinced for ages that it was the Rhinocort that caused the wheezing so I stopped using it. Unfortunately the wheezing never went away.
I might ask the doctor for a bronchoscopy. Since this began though I have had a blood test, all fine, and a water test when I actually had an urine infection. I was given strong antibiotics for this which cleared it up. But surely, if I had this Chlamydia infection, would it not show in one of these tests?
Many thanks
One thing I didn't mention, after the chest infection and before the wheezing properly began, I also too suffered sinus trouble (I think it runs in my family aswell). I used Rhinocort Aqua which cleared my nose within 2 weeks. It was then I noticed the wheezing. I was a bit scared at first to use the inhaler as I thought it was for bad chest infections, or asthma, none of which I believed I had. I was convinced for ages that it was the Rhinocort that caused the wheezing so I stopped using it. Unfortunately the wheezing never went away.
I might ask the doctor for a bronchoscopy. Since this began though I have had a blood test, all fine, and a water test when I actually had an urine infection. I was given strong antibiotics for this which cleared it up. But surely, if I had this Chlamydia infection, would it not show in one of these tests?
Many thanks
It very well could be something in your house. Allergy tests are only done for common allergens in your area. If you are being exposed to something not on that list, it wouldn't be tested. Also, if your home is newer or if you bought a lot of new furniture for your new home, it could be VOCs (gasses being given off by foam rubber, paint, flooring, partical board...).
I had 5 sinus infections in less than 9 months one year. My eos level (an allergy hormone) was repeatedly sky high, so my doctor sent me for allergy testing. After allergy testing was essentially negative my husband and I did some hard thinking. My problems started when an HVAC friend convinced my husband that hog hair airfilters were the best thing going. With an electostatic charge, they were supposed to trap more particals than other filters. I started getting sick when they were installed. We took them out, and I got better. We didn't live around any hog farms, so that wasn't included in the testing. I later worked near a hog farm. Whenever the wind was from that direction, I would be misserable. I am allergic to pigs. ;)
So, your problem could be something obscure that is going under the doctor's radar. You will have to do your own sleuthing to find the cause. One thought is that a previous occupant had some kind of an obscure pet whose dander is deep in the carpet and air ducts. New carpet and having the ducts cleaned by a good professional may prove very beneficial.
Lastly, the doctor mentioned Chlamydia. Chlamydia is an infection that can cause a rare form of asthma - Neutrophilic asthma. It doesn't typically respond to standard asthma treatment and may not show on asthma tests. If your bad lung infection was mycoplasma, that can also cause Neutrophilic asthma. A bronchoscopy might be a very good idea to rule out these and other chronic types of infections or problems.
Take care and feel better.
I had 5 sinus infections in less than 9 months one year. My eos level (an allergy hormone) was repeatedly sky high, so my doctor sent me for allergy testing. After allergy testing was essentially negative my husband and I did some hard thinking. My problems started when an HVAC friend convinced my husband that hog hair airfilters were the best thing going. With an electostatic charge, they were supposed to trap more particals than other filters. I started getting sick when they were installed. We took them out, and I got better. We didn't live around any hog farms, so that wasn't included in the testing. I later worked near a hog farm. Whenever the wind was from that direction, I would be misserable. I am allergic to pigs. ;)
So, your problem could be something obscure that is going under the doctor's radar. You will have to do your own sleuthing to find the cause. One thought is that a previous occupant had some kind of an obscure pet whose dander is deep in the carpet and air ducts. New carpet and having the ducts cleaned by a good professional may prove very beneficial.
Lastly, the doctor mentioned Chlamydia. Chlamydia is an infection that can cause a rare form of asthma - Neutrophilic asthma. It doesn't typically respond to standard asthma treatment and may not show on asthma tests. If your bad lung infection was mycoplasma, that can also cause Neutrophilic asthma. A bronchoscopy might be a very good idea to rule out these and other chronic types of infections or problems.
Take care and feel better.
Thank you for your comments. The thing that confuses me more than anything is the fact that when I went on holiday my symptoms cleared up. I was eating a lot more rich food but had to indigestion problems and never woke up in the night wheezing. This makes me think it is definitely more allergy related, and more related to the fact that I live in a damp country (UK).
On a side note, my house has had some damp problems recently and even though we have sorted them out, the cold damp weather recently I am sure has not helped. Central heating is on all the time as my house is detached and gets cold very quickly.
As I said, I have had an asthma test but forgot to mention that I have also had a chest xray as well. This came out completely clear, which led the doctor to rule out asthma. I had an allergy test about a year and a half ago which said I was mildly allergic to grass, but for most of my life I have had a bit of hayfever, so that is nothing new. The only thing that I have changed since this began i.e. food habits, exercise etc. is the fact that I moved into a new home. Knowing my luck, I am allergic to my house!
Many thanks
On a side note, my house has had some damp problems recently and even though we have sorted them out, the cold damp weather recently I am sure has not helped. Central heating is on all the time as my house is detached and gets cold very quickly.
As I said, I have had an asthma test but forgot to mention that I have also had a chest xray as well. This came out completely clear, which led the doctor to rule out asthma. I had an allergy test about a year and a half ago which said I was mildly allergic to grass, but for most of my life I have had a bit of hayfever, so that is nothing new. The only thing that I have changed since this began i.e. food habits, exercise etc. is the fact that I moved into a new home. Knowing my luck, I am allergic to my house!
Many thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, welcome to the forum. It is quite important to rule out the cause of the wheezing, at the same time exacerbating factors, such as exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, dust etc. should be pointed out and further exposure should be avoided.
The type of wheeze in his case suggests bronchial asthma. This may be seen in association with the factors like cold air, sleep, or allergens. Even acid reflux can be strong possibility.
You need to undergo certain tests like allergen test, spirometry, and serological test for Chlamydia and bronchoscopy to rule out foreign body.
Treatment includes cough suppressants, a trial therapy with bronchodilators, avoiding triggering factors, and available home remedies like use of honey and echinacea.
I suggest you to consult physician specialized in respiratory medicine for evaluation and prescription and above drugs. Take care and regards.
The type of wheeze in his case suggests bronchial asthma. This may be seen in association with the factors like cold air, sleep, or allergens. Even acid reflux can be strong possibility.
You need to undergo certain tests like allergen test, spirometry, and serological test for Chlamydia and bronchoscopy to rule out foreign body.
Treatment includes cough suppressants, a trial therapy with bronchodilators, avoiding triggering factors, and available home remedies like use of honey and echinacea.
I suggest you to consult physician specialized in respiratory medicine for evaluation and prescription and above drugs. Take care and regards.
Since your symptoms improve away from home, that would indicate that allergies are playing a large role in the issue. There are some life style changes that you can make that should help alleviate some of your symptoms.
1) Sinus rinse - You can get a bottle from most pharmacies. They come with a few salt packets. You can either purchase more or just use 1/4 tsp pickling salt with a pinch of baking soda.
2) Keep doors and windows closed eliminating indoor exposure to pollens as much as possible.
3) Shower before going to bed. This will wash allergens off so that you don't sleep with them extending your exposure time.
4) Change your clothes (or shower) immediately when coming in from extended times outside.
5) Keep pets out of your bedroom.
6) Wash bedding in hot water weekly.
Lastly, because your symptoms are mainly at night, have you discussed acid reflux with your doctor. Acid reflux can cause the symptoms you describe, especially at night when you lie down. It is called laryngeal-pharyngeal reflux.
Feel better.
1) Sinus rinse - You can get a bottle from most pharmacies. They come with a few salt packets. You can either purchase more or just use 1/4 tsp pickling salt with a pinch of baking soda.
2) Keep doors and windows closed eliminating indoor exposure to pollens as much as possible.
3) Shower before going to bed. This will wash allergens off so that you don't sleep with them extending your exposure time.
4) Change your clothes (or shower) immediately when coming in from extended times outside.
5) Keep pets out of your bedroom.
6) Wash bedding in hot water weekly.
Lastly, because your symptoms are mainly at night, have you discussed acid reflux with your doctor. Acid reflux can cause the symptoms you describe, especially at night when you lie down. It is called laryngeal-pharyngeal reflux.
Feel better.
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