Throat tickle

[lauri102]

This is the first time I have ever done something like this.  I just read a question from someone who had symptoms very, very similar to mine.  I amy tortured by a persistent "tickle" in my throat that causes some or all of the following every time:  sneezing, coughing, eye tearing (on whichever side the tickle is on).  I have been to many doctors including my primary care, alegrist (no alergys after 53 pricks on my back), two regular ENTs and an Otolaryngologist (spelling???).  I have been "scoped" more times that I can count.  the ENTs have all said I have reflus disease.  I have gone from taking one Nexium to taking two Nexium a day.  It hasn't helped.  I have taken Zyrtec with no help at all.  The current Otolaryngologist has me keeping track of how many times it happens a day.  It can vary from six to 30 times a day.  It doesn't matter if I am sitting, standing or lying down.  During the last 11 months I have only been free from it during January and May.  I have no idea why.  In fact, we were in Itlay for two weeks in January.  I sang every day and ate very late dinners and then right to bed.  No cough at all.  It started up again when I got a bad cold from my husband after arriving home at the end of January.  I have no idea why it stopped all of a sudden for the month of May and began again in June.  I did get another cold in July and it began again in earnest.  During this time I have lived in two different places ... my primary residence and our vacation home.  There is no difference in my symptons.  I have another appointment with the Otolaryngologist in early December.  I am SURE he will want to do the reflus test that places a probe down my throat for a day or two.  I am fearful of having that test since I am a terrible gagger.  Sometimes the tickle makes me cough so much I gag.  I have NEVER had heartburn.  I don't even know what it is.  The doctor says I have "silent" reflux.  If so, why hasn't the Nexium helped???  This doctor says that I could take as many as four Nexium a day but my primary care doesn't want me to take that much saying that it can cause kidney failure.  I am exhausted since it happens anywhere from 2 to 6 times a night.  I have to sit up a sip water which only helps minimally.  I don't sleep with the bed propped up since I am a side sleeper and the tickle happens no matter what position I am in.  I need HELP.


This discussion is related to Persistent Tickle in My Throat.

[Alfred50]

Sounds Crazy but Try chewing or sucking on ICE or a popsickle

[sneezehead]

Did you ever resolve this problem? I have your symptoms too.

[phlegm3916]

I have had the problem with phlegm in my throat for many years with cough and congestion.  My voice gets hoarse and affected by the phlegm.  The only way I can control it as far as I can determine is to rinse out my nose and sinuses with the Netipot sinus rinse from the drug store using warm distilled water or boiled water with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda disolved in it.  If I keep it up regularly my throat will stay clear of phlegm.  If I let up on the rinse treatment sometimes I have to drink warm ginger tea, stronger the better it works.  That's what I had to do tonight after sweeping out the dusty garage, so it may be the dust allergy but also I did not drink much water during the day.  My doctor also put me on flunisolide and aselastine nasal sprays along with Singular for allergies. Allergy shots (tests) have not helped at all. I have not seen anyone mention the ginger tea drink for phlegm. Hope this helps.

[janie961]

That;s exactly what I was thinking. I am on Lisinopril and I have the tickle. It's not nearly as extreme as hers but it's as annoying as all get out. I've heard that a few blood pressure medications cause this. My boss has a persistant dry cough and she's on all kinds of meds. Could be one of them.

[sheahankathy]

Anyone finding that this persistent tickle in the throat is related to taking the drug, Lisinopril...it seems to be a side effect of this drug with a couple people I have talked to. There is an actual side effect called "the Lisinopril cough"....post if you will.......

[blacklungcougher]

I have all the same symptoms for almost a year now with a month break here and there. I have not been to a doctor as I do not have insurance and I'm worried of spending $ for them just to not know what the problem is.  I also have never had acid reflux and the throat tickle changes sides with me too.  Did you folks get any answers since these have been posted? I am a 24 year old female who smokes half a pack a day.

[Nae47]

By the way, this is my first time doing this also.

[Nae47]

I have these same symptoms, the persistent cough after the tickle.  I also developed back pain from so much coughing at night.  The only thing that gives me relief is sucking on a Halls or anything like that.  Many times I  have to fall asleep at night with one in my mouth.  I'm sure that no too safe.  Sometimes, I sip on water but it has to be ice  cold to help at all.  I am a singer and this affects my singing.  It makes my throat feel tight.  I get a really dry feeling in my throat and a tickle and the tickle switch sides.  It's weird but it never happens on both sides.  I went to and ENT because my singing voice changed a little and he inserted a probe in my nose to my throat to look at on a monitor.  He told me I had a nozzle on my throat very small but it was not cancer.  I was even concerned about that.  He sent me to speech therapy to reduce the nozzle.  But I don't think that has anything to do with the tickle because the tickle switch sides and the nozzle is on one side.  I've sang for many years and this is devastating to me.  I was also told it could be a nasal drip.  It's almost like my throat is extra dry when all of this tickle and coughing is going on.  I wish I new what to do about this.  It's been persistent now for about a month.