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New here--Can't laugh & chronic cough

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Posted 11/16/2015 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. My symptoms are primarily a chronic cough with some production, a thick feeling in my lower throat (like there's something there and I need to clear it), taking deep breaths is hard, and loss of breath when I laugh. The loss of breath when laughing has gotten very bad, I'm beginning to fear laughter because I can't breathe when I do. My MD has ruled out asthma and is pointing toward acid reflux induced cough. I'm just wondering if anyone else has these similar symptoms? Especially the laughter part of it. I'm taking omeprazole now x2 per day. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Posted 11/16/2015 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have those symptoms. I'm also on omeprazole twice a day, but I'm taking 40mg twice a day. It controls the heartburn symptoms, and used to help my cough, but mine has gotten out of control in the last year so I am now getting a Dor Fundoplication done.

I think you are the first person I have encountered who has had the shortness of breath while laughing as well. I went to see a comedian for my fiancés birthday at the start of the year and I nearly passed out from not being able to breathe due to laughing.

How long have you been taking the omeprazole for? When I used to have my symptoms better under control I would get the cough and/or heartburn, then would go on a 1-3 month course of omeprazole, sometimes 20mg once a day, sometimes twice a day, and that would sort things out for a couple of months, I seemed to be able to go about 4-6 months between episodes of reflux. That lasted for about 12 years.

A piece of advice about the throat clearing, keep a water bottle with you at all times and whenever you feel the urge to clear your throat, have a drink instead. The constant clearing of your throat can prompt more mucous production, and can further irritate tissues which just compounds and makes things worse. It also helps to keep you well hydrated which thins out mucous more and lessens the need to clear your throat.

Do you find that your throat also seems to be chronically dry, even if your mouth isn't?
Posted 11/16/2015 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have developed a wariness of laughing too. I don't actually lose my breath but I end up having a horrible coughing fit for a few minutes after. It really upsets me as I feel I stop myself from really letting go and having a good old chuckle, something I think I need in order to be able to deal with this horrible disease.
Posted 11/21/2015 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, my throat does lean on the dry side. Lately, any time I lay down I start coughing and I'll wake up at night with the dry cough, tickle in my throat that makes my eyes tear. I've also noticed a lot of drainage in my throat. I'm seeing my GI MD soon and will alert him that the symptoms are getting worse. I just don't know anymore. Thanks for responding :)
Posted 11/24/2015 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried raising the head of your bed? I get the same thing at night, and doing that did help it a bit. Maybe using a dry mouth gel might help keep your throat a bit more moist at night? I use biotene from time to time but more often than not my throat is dry but my mouth is fine so the other thing which helps me is to use a saline nasal spray, because it drips down the back of your nose your throat gets a dose and saline is good for rehydrating mucous membranes. If nothing else it thins out the mucous making it a lot less irritating. Last tip is to carry a water bottle on you everywhere, if you start getting the urge to clear your throat because of the drainage sip the water instead, the constant clearing can irritate your throat further which prompts it to produce more mucous.
Posted 12/13/2015 9:15 AM (GMT 0)
Serious LPR cougher here. Please message me for some good ideas! I have mine under control now.
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