Post-nasal drip cough

[Baz]

I've had this before and it sucks.

A cough that doesn't go away. Coupled with sore throat - I sound like a lifetime smoker when I talk!

If you Google this there's lot's of suggestions on how to deal with it.

I've been using some Chloraseptic lozenges to soothe the throat and keep the coughing down a bit but I can't keep chain-sucking these lozenges forever.

One of my clients said to rub Vicks Vapor Rub on my throat and around my nose. i think I'll try that.

Odd thing is I don't feel stuffed up - just a dry persistent cough.

Any remedies that worked for you - or do I just wait it out?

[genrex]

Seasonal allergies give me post-nasal drip, runny nose, and terrible coughing fits.

Then I discovered my miracle drug. It's the over-the-counter generic version of Claritin, a little antihistamine pill called Loratadine (10 mg strength). You'll find it on the shelf next to the Claritin... available at drug stores and many grocery stores. Very cheap, about $7 for 30 pills. One pill lasts 12 hours, sometimes up to 24 hours. It's amazing. The symptoms completely disappear in about 30 minutes, and they stay gone. It's so good to feel good again!

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[Baz]

Originally Posted by genrex

Seasonal allergies give me post-nasal drip, runny nose, and terrible coughing fits.

Then I discovered my miracle drug. It's the over-the-counter generic version of Claritin, a little antihistamine pill called Loratadine (10 mg strength). You'll find it on the shelf next to the Claritin... available at drug stores and many grocery stores. Very cheap, about $7 for 30 pills. One pill lasts 12 hours, sometimes up to 24 hours. It's amazing. The symptoms completely disappear in about 30 minutes, and they stay gone.

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Wow thanks Genrex! I was at the pharmacy yesterday and saw the Claritin, Allegra, etc on the shelf so know right where to go. I'll try anything at this point!

I've taken Claritin before many years before (they were doctor samples given to me) and they did work pretty good. I don't typically have allergies except for a few weeks every year. Seems to be getting worse as I get older .

Thanks again for the input - will let you now how it works out.

[rusnak]

Try the Netti Pot nasal sinus rinse. You may have a low level sinus infection?

[genrex]

I hope it works for you, Baz! Two years ago I had the same symptoms you're having and it was horrible. I tried Claritin and it helped a little bit... then last year I decided to try the generic, and for some reason it really works for me. It's weird, the expensive brand name hardly works for me, but the cheap generic works wonders. I've tried different generics (all the stores seem to have their own generic brand) and they all work great for me.

Here's hoping, bro. *fingers crossed*

Rog

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[gchappel]

Could be allergies. Could be a lot of things. Infections, reflux, etc. If this does not clear up quickly go and see your doctor.
Gary

[Zeke]

Most docs don't have a clue on these allergy things. If it's an infection, that's one thing that can be determined easily. If it's really an allergy, you have to have the allergy panel done.

BTW, I've heard that putting Vicks right at your nostrils is not good.
The People's Pharmacy.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Try the Netti Pot nasal sinus rinse. You may have a low level sinus infection?

Thanks for the advice, Rus. I hadn't heard of this device and just viewed this video and it looks promising....I will pick one up and try it if the Loratadine that Rog mentioned doesn't do the job.



I just smeared some Vicks on my throat and under my nose and my eyes are watering like crazy! But I do believe it is taking away some of the discomfort.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by genrex

I hope it works for you, Baz! Two years ago I had the same symptoms you're having and it was horrible. I tried Claritin and it helped a little bit... then last year I decided to try the generic, and for some reason it really works for me. It's weird, the expensive brand name hardly works for me, but the cheap generic works wonders. I've tried different generics (all the stores seem to have their own generic brand) and they all work great for me.

Here's hoping, bro. *fingers crossed*

Rog

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Thanks Rog - you're talking to the king of generics...I have generic versions of all the common pain relief products: Aleve, Advil, Tylenol...they all work well for me so yeah I'm a believer...

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gchappel

Could be allergies. Could be a lot of things. Infections, reflux, etc. If this does not clear up quickly go and see your doctor.
Gary

I have had this before so I know eventually it will go away. I just want it to go away quicker!

I'm not on my death bed - just have this crappy cough and sore throat.

Thanks for the input, Gary.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Most docs don't have a clue on these allergy things. If it's an infection, that's one thing that can be determined easily. If it's really an allergy, you have to have the allergy panel done.

BTW, I've heard that putting Vicks right at your nostrils is not good.
The People's Pharmacy.

Hey Milt - you're right - allergies are fairly complex. My Mom has battled them for her whole life and just today was telling me all the things she has done in her home to reduce her issues (special HVAC filters, etc.) plus of course she takes allergy medication and has screenings done every year.

I've really never had a big problem with them...just a couple weeks every spring of itchy watery eyes and stuffed up nose and some sneezing. But this hacking and sore throat....ack.....gotta get rid of it and soon!

Yeah no more Vicks under the nose...but it does seems to be helping on my throat!

[rusnak]

Mexicans crush Vicks lozenges and put them on their feet. Swear. It works too, apparently.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Mexicans crush Vicks lozenges and put them on their feet. Swear. It works too, apparently.

Earlier I was reading up on Vicks and there was an urban legend article on Vicks Vapor rub smeared on feet and then covered with socks.

I'm not that desperate yet!

[rusnak]

No, that's no urban legend. Half of my crew has their mom do that when they get sick. It's a Mexican thing.

[craigster59]

I've heard the Vicks on the feet thing and people swear it works, haven't tried it yet. I had the cough and drainage thing for 5 months and finally got a Z-Pak and inhaler.

Cleared me up, but I still get crap that is so thick you could seal a window with it, that seeps down and sits in my throat near the "gag reflex" area and wakes me up at night because it it tickles me when I breath and I have to spit it into a kleenex. I sound like a cat with a hairball at around 4 AM.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I've heard the Vicks on the feet thing and people swear it works, haven't tried it yet. I had the cough and drainage thing for 5 months and finally got a Z-Pak and inhaler.

Cleared me up, but I still get crap that is so thick you could seal a window with it, that seeps down and sits in my throat near the "gag reflex" area and wakes me up at night because it it tickles me when I breath and I have to spit it into a kleenex. I sound like a cat with a hairball at around 4 AM.

Hi Craig,

A Z-PaK is on my list of considerations.

I think a lot of folks are affected by this affliction....

Thanks for your input!

[kiwiokie]

Vapo Rub and an Advil before I go to bed works for me. My cough is really only noticeable after 8pm or so. Not sure why. Also don't know why the Advil works other than it may reduce some inflamed tissue in the bronchial area that contributes to the ticklish cough.

[Evans, Marv]

Good luck! I've had that for years. Starts usually around October/November and lasts until April lots of times. I've tried everything and nothing has ever worked, so I've just had to mostly live with it. I get something similar to the Netti Pot at the Kaiser pharmacy which I like better than I think I would a Netti Pot, though I've never used the Netti Pot. What I use is a NielMed Sinus Rinse kit. It's a small plastic bottle with a screw on top with a hole in the center. You can also buy a box of small packets of salts which you dump into the plastic bottle with warm water to make it a saline solution. You put it up to one nostril at a time and squeeze it forcing the warm saline solution into the nostril and out the other. It helps for a little bit of time & makes your nasal passages feel great. I really hate it when it starts.

[livi]

Well, Bazza, if you were a patient of mine I would say you have an asthmatic tendency and prescribe inhaled steroids for these episodes.

And even if one could argue that the diagnostic criteria are not fully met, the steroids would most certainly smooth and shorten the inflammatory response in your airways.

Then, of course, most my patients are pre-school children..

[look 171]

I have a little but of post nasal drip but not enough to really bother. I do get sick often due to lack of rest. Every winter I get sick with a bit of post nasal drip, my cough will last for a long time. When its real bad, and I know I can't breath due to colds, I use Afrin for a about 3-4 days. Be careful with this stuff, you can develop rebound effect. But it is instant and it last for about 12 hours. If it opens you up, then it isn't anything with your lungs unless you are coughing up thick dark nasty stuff.