Bronchitis?

[LeePenman]

I am hoping someone here can help me. I had a cough for a couple of weeks...thought it was bronchitis. Then it evolved to asthma like symptoms during the night. My throat would suddenly close up and I couldn't breathe in or out and in the worst attacks I had to retch several times to clear it.
After getting tests in the ER (chest x ray/cat scan) it was thought that GERD was causing the issue. Sure enough I started getting digestive issues and stomach bloating/pain. However I am still not sure that is the cause and keep going back to bronchitis.
The worst time is over night. I am literally scared to close my eyes as any time spent asleep is met with waking up with one cough to clear my throat triggering a cascade of symptoms.  This morning was the worst yet....it lasted about 15 mins with me squeaking for breath retching violently and losing all control of body functions (no need to go into detail to spare you) Can anyone offer any insight/help?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

First, try to elevate the head of your bed.....it may very well be reflux and it is working up into your throat causing the cough....by elevating the head of your bed, gravity helps to keep the acids down where they belong....

I would also look into if you have post nasal drip. to see if you over produce histamines.....and try a med that helps reduce them....this was my issue and has helped me quite a bit. I had that choking and cough in the AM and swallowing issues....and I have not had them since  a change to my meds...

Do see your PCP and discuss possible meds and changes to diet to see what will work best for you.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Gallee]

Hi, sounds like you have hiatus hernia or problems with les. If this is the case and you sleep flat in bed stomach acid can migrate up the osophagus. Pepsin in the stomach acid gets embedded in the wall of the osophagus and causes inflammation. Every time you drink the pepsin is activated and causes irritation. We normally pass mucus from the nasal cavity down the throat without any problem but this can also activate the pepsin, this makes you cough. Cure. Rise the head of your bed to stop stomach acid passing the les valve. Drink an alkaline solution I use a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water. This will neutralise the pepsin. Another cause can be low stomach acid. Take digestive enzymes with betaine hcl with your meals and eat a low carb diet. Best of luck.