Hi All:
I have been dealing with a chronic cough for 3 + months and have tried nearly everything imaginable. This came on slowly out of nowhere with no obvious illness preceding. First my symptoms:
Constant Need to Clear the Throat, a feeling of loose mucous around the trachea that only goes away briefly after clearing, along with occasional rattling when breathing. Another member described it well in this post: Quote "But the worst of all was and is the feeling that I have loose mucous in my trachea.This feeling is there when I breathe in and out.It feels like a rattle but there is no sound."
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/284428
Coughing in episodes some more days than others.
Fluttering/Spasm type feeling in the throat right around voice box/thyroid area.
Mild burning/pulsatng type pain coming from the voice box/thyroid area.
Tickle in throat that is exacerbated when leaning head back or sideways, causing cough.
Post nasal drip is definitely occuring
Treatments:
Phase one: Flonase nasal spray several weeks along with Albuterol
Phase Two: Added Flovent inhaler, along with course of Z Pack antibiotic (2 weeks)
Phase Three: Protonix 40MG once per day along with Allerx twice per day (3 weeks)
Phase Four: Added Astelin nasal spray and double Protonix dosage (10 days)
Testing:
Normal Chest XRAY
Normal CT Scan Sinus
Pending:
Barium Swallow
So, nothing is helping and the sensations are very troubling. IT is worth noting that I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroidits about one year ago because of active anti thyroid antibodies. My Thyroid function is still good and there are no palpable abnormalities per last exam (3 months ago)
So, I am at a loss as to what to do next assuming the BArium swallow shows nothing. This sounds to me like classic Laryngeal Reflux/Post nasal drip, but the therapies do not help. Am I missing something?
Anyone?
Thanks,
J