I totally agree @Lindagaf about reflux. It could be post nasal drip, it could also be reflux. An ENT should be the right doctor to see for either
The reason why to try a low acid diet. You need to get the inflammation from reflux to repair so your diet is very limited. Once the inflammation is gone, then you can reintroduce food into your diet and find out what is causing problems.
Coughing, clearing the throat are very common symptoms of reflux.
Alcohol is a trigger for me, wine is especially bad. And red sauce.
Also agree that for Flonase to work, that it has to be used religiously.
I have a relative who had everything under the sun diagnosed including fibromyalgia. Turns out that it was reflux, once she went on a low acid diet, her symptoms improved and she is truly a changed person.
When you use Flonase, don’t sniff and lay right down to sleep. Stay more upright for a few minutes, reading or whatever. I had trouble with my molars aching after starting to use it at bedtime. Did some Googling and found some other people with similar symptoms. Now I “sniff” it at least 5 min before lying down, read propped up in bed for a few minutes, then go to sleep. The problem went away.
I do find that I have what feels like bubbles coming up my stomach like I’m going to belch, but I don’t. Never anything foul tasting. I wonder if it is reflux? I will mention that tomorrow, too. All your responses have been so helpful. I feel so tired right now from hacking all day.
Silent reflux IS common, especially for folks with respiratory conditions. Mine was diagnosed by an overnight pH probe. I take daily ranitidine 150mg and it helps.
Went to doc. He put a scope down my nostril to my throat to take a look, didn’t see anything thankfully. He did say that there is a section that is irritated, a bit raw, and he thinks that’s irritating and making me cough more. At this point he just thinks it’s allergies and gave me an antibiotic for the irritation, told me to stay on singulair and Flonase. Today is my 2nd day of Flonase and it seems a bit better. He said when I spray it to aim outward, not straight. I’m to see him in 4 weeks or call next week if not any better. He’s gone on vacation for 2 weeks after that…figures.
Keep your fingers crossed. It still doesn’t answer why I started coughing to begin with. But he wouldn’t know that of course!
It is really thin, they do spray numb your nostril. It did hurt a little going in and pulling out. Like @Lindagaf said, it’s not long, maybe a minute. It didn’t hurt when it was in. I’m a real wimp with stuff like that.
He probably trying to ward off infection of any kind.
For those with allergies, don’t forget to use a saline nasal spray first and blow your nose before using your other sprays. It will clear the passages of pollen and allergens.
Do get tested for allergies. I used to get a sinus and /or ear infection every year, until my doctor noticed that while I am generally healthy, I had come in exactly a year ago to the day with the same issue. Turns out I’m allergic to grass and my spring and early summer gardening was putting me under.
I take brand or generic Claritin and Flonase every day in the AM. If I do begin to feel sinus congestion, I take a 24-hr Claritin-D for 2-3 days. I haven’t had an infection in more than 10 yrs. Sam’s and Walmart have the generics at good prices, too.
Costco has many generic meds that used to be by Rx only at very reasonable prices as well, both pills and sprays(including saline nasal rinse and steroid nasal spray).