Post-nasal drip cough

[aigel]

Geez - some of you guys should try 8+h of sleep plus 30+ min cardio exercise a day. Works wonders.

I would definitely take a round of antibiotics for any persistent cough or sore throat. Often the quack will tell me that it will not help, but I talk him into a prescription. Works like a charm every time. Some of the stuff may start as a virus infection, but then the bacteria move in and get comfy ...

G

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 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.

Kiwiokie: thanks for your input. I did take some Advil last night (I usually take 4 pills at a time) as well as the Vapo Rub on my throat. Woke up feeling a little better this morning but thinking the Vapo Rub was the driving force - that stuff is powerful!

It ain't over yet though.....

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi Marv - thanks for your input - I do intend to pick up one of those devices today I'm sure there are several variations out there - it couldn't hurt at this point!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 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..

Hello Marcus....thanks for your input. I will hang onto that info for further consideration. If it's good enough for a pre-school child - it certainly would be appropriate for the likes of someone like me!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 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.

Look 171: Thanks - I had never heard of "Afrin" but will "look" into it.

I took some Dristan caplets this morning that I found in the bottom of one of my bathroom vanity drawers....they don't make this particular formulation anymore so I'm hoping it will provide some clearing action until I can get to the drug store to acquire more pharmaceuticals.

I must say though - the Vapo Rub I smeared on my throat last night I believe did help so there's something everyone can keep in mind who also are afflicted with this malady.

Onward....

[Baz]

Originally Posted by aigel

Geez - some of you guys should try 8+h of sleep plus 30+ min cardio exercise a day. Works wonders.

I would definitely take a round of antibiotics for any persistent cough or sore throat. Often the quack will tell me that it will not help, but I talk him into a prescription. Works like a charm every time. Some of the stuff may start as a virus infection, but then the bacteria move in and get comfy ...

G

Hello George, Thanks for the input - I think this is where the Z-Pak as Craig mentioned would come into play.

Typically I don't take a lot of drugs but I do believe in "knocking" out the germ when necessary so will look into this today as well....

[Tobra]

I had something similar a few weeks ago. I got sick for the first time since about 1978 on Easter. Was windy, really windy for a few days, stirred up the dust, pollen and whatever Had a runny nose on Saturday, woke up Easter morning with a 102* temp. Wife has never seen me sick, because we have only been together 18 years. She goes all nursey on me, take some aspirin, drink this water. Hour later it is 102.8. She wants to take me to the hospital, because the ASA made my temp go up. Maybe it would have gone to 105 if I didn't take it, who knows. Missed 2 days work, sick for 3 with fever.

Talked to one of the internists at the hospital the day I went back to work. "Were you vomiting?" No, just fever. "Okay, you will be coughing for three weeks." I haven't been coughing. "You will be." What do I do about it, what is it? "Some viruss, flu shot didn't cover it, Get some cough drops." That's it, get some cough drops? "Pretty much"

I drank a bunch of green tea with lemon and honey too, because I like tea and it made my throat feel better, gargling with salt water can be helpful too.

If you use a Neti pot, use distilled water, or boil your water and let it cool

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I had something similar a few weeks ago. I got sick for the first time since about 1978 on Easter. Was windy, really windy for a few days, stirred up the dust, pollen and whatever Had a runny nose on Saturday, woke up Easter morning with a 102* temp. Wife has never seen me sick, because we have only been together 18 years. She goes all nursey on me, take some aspirin, drink this water. Hour later it is 102.8. She wants to take me to the hospital, because the ASA made my temp go up. Maybe it would have gone to 105 if I didn't take it, who knows. Missed 2 days work, sick for 3 with fever.

Talked to one of the internists at the hospital the day I went back to work. "Were you vomiting?" No, just fever. "Okay, you will be coughing for three weeks." I haven't been coughing. "You will be." What do I do about it, what is it? "Some viruss, flu shot didn't cover it, Get some cough drops." That's it, get some cough drops? "Pretty much"

I drank a bunch of green tea with lemon and honey too, because I like tea and it made my throat feel better, gargling with salt water can be helpful too.

If you use a Neti pot, use distilled water, or boil your water and let it cool

Tobra - thanks for the input. I'm doing a bit better today - hardly any coughing - throat feels better. having some chicken veggie soup right now.

I'm still going to get some medical provisions later as recommended by the other pelicans in this thread. I think this beast is stubborn and will come and go as it pleases....unless I put up the good fight!

[PabloX]

I've been through this probably more than most. Here are some thoughts.

- The neti pot is worth a try. As mentioned, use distilled water and use the specific salt that's sold for that purpose.
- consider trying a couple of benedryls before you go to sleep.
- there are a few nose sprays that might help. Ipitropium Bromde is one. Azelastine is another and then there are the steroid based ones. You'll have to basically experiment to see which works for you.
- Azythromycin (z-pac) is worth a try. However, it also can have a pretty strong anti inflammatory action for some people. So, it may be inconclusive as to which aspect of the drug solves your problem (if it helps).
- You may have a silent acid reflux problem. It can trigger post nasal drip in some people.
- post nasal drip can be a precursor and contributor to asthma.
- as for the Mexicans putting cough drops on their feet, there may be something to that. Look up vasomotor rhinitis.

Good luck.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Baz

Look 171: Thanks - I had never heard of "Afrin" but will "look" into it.

I took some Dristan caplets this morning that I found in the bottom of one of my bathroom vanity drawers....they don't make this particular formulation anymore so I'm hoping it will provide some clearing action until I can get to the drug store to acquire more pharmaceuticals.

I must say though - the Vapo Rub I smeared on my throat last night I believe did help so there's something everyone can keep in mind who also are afflicted with this malady.

Onward....

the counter rite-aid or most market carries them. worth the few bucks to be able to breath through the night. Rest will help healing process.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Baz

Hello George, Thanks for the input - I think this is where the Z-Pak as Craig mentioned would come into play.

Oh, ok, I didn't realize that was an antibiotic. I have had good luck with it - Azithromycin.

G

[Aragorn]

I get something similar every year at this time. In the past I have taken dimetapp and chlor-trimeton. Now I take the allergy pill alavert which contains Loratadine. This does a good job at clearing out my nasal passages plus they taste pretty good. 60 tabs cost around $20 at wally world. This will aid in preventing the drip.

For the throat, try gargarling with salt water. I read about it and it seems to soothe some of the rawness. That and breathing in steam from a pot on the stove seemed to loosen everything up.

[Baz]

Thanks for all the input and info folks.

A quick update - tried all of your suggestions and still hacking so have decided to bit the bullet and see about getting some doctor prescribed meds...you know the "good stuff"....like maybe a Z-pack even. We have a few walk-in clinics so that's where I will go.

I've had this for 3 weeks now and enough is enough - I have things to do and don't need anything holding me back.

Will post the results as appropriate. Thank you again!

[Baz]

OK folks.....this morning, after the 3rd miserable weekend in a row of wheezing, coughing, sore throat, and lightheadedness......I decided to get some help. I went to a local walk-in health clinic and ultimately was diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis. I had been suffering from these symptoms for the past 3 weeks and trying to cope with over the counter remedies, but ultimately I could see this wasn't going away without something stronger....like an antibiotic. The doctor was in full agreement and I came away with prescriptions for Zithromax Z-Pak, an Albuterol inhaler, and Mucinex 200mg tablets.

I started medication around mid-day and will continue them all week as prescribed. It was also recommended I increase fluids, get plenty of rest, and return to the clinic if there is no improvement. I do believe the Z-Pak alone will wipe out this pathogen so am not really worried. I just want this to go away!

I must say I was very impressed with the treatment I received by the clinic. I was handled with kid gloves so-to-speak and each practitioner who attended to me were quite thorough and engaged in the process. The fee was only $125.00 for the visit and meds came to approx. $80.00. Contrast this to about $60.00 spent on over-the counter remedies - prior to going to this clinic. Lesson learned! To be fair though - I have had this same sorta thing happen in past years and it did eventually "go away" without going to antibiotics. Again - lesson learned - I am not the expert in this - sometimes a man has to know his limitations!

Thanks again for ALL the input from the Pelican Brain Trust!

[aigel]

Amazing. A trip to the vet with my dog costs more. I am not kidding.

I always take Mucinex (I get the generic from Costco) as soon as a cough starts. Works wonders IMHO to avoid bacteria settling in. Be sure to drink A LOT when taking Mucinex. It dehydrates you significantly by liquifying the snot in your system ...

G

[Evans, Marv]

Great you actually found a cause for yours. I've been to the doctor several times when I've had it & they didn't find any identifiable cause. Keep us posted on what the outcome is.

[craigster59]

That's what I was diagnosed with. When I walked into the clinic, they asked what my complaint was, I said "nagging cough" and was immediatly handed a mask to wear. I guess it's pretty contagious and a lot of people had been coming in with it.

The Z-pack and Albuterol will have you feeling great by tomorrow AM. Drink lots of water too.

[Baz]

I will Marv. It has to be a bacteria that grew out of the viral infection - but that's just a guess. The doctor seemed to feel this is what happened. You get a cold virus - it doesn't go away - and an secondary infection sets in. Then you're REALLY in for it!

I truly believe the Z-Pak antibiotic will do the trick. I will post the results as appropriate - trust me - I can't wait to get rid of this cough!

And George & Craig - thanks for your advice and input as well. I did get the generic versions of the meds - the pharmacist said that is their normal protocol unless someone want name brand. Interesting...thought it'd be the other way around.

[rusnak]

Is one nostril more plugged? Both plugged?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Is one nostril more plugged? Both plugged?

Not really plugged......the cough and raw throat are the main issue.

As I understand it - the bronchial tubes have mucus on them thus restricting air flow.

The idea is for the Mucinex to help loosen this mucus up so it can be disgorged , if that's the right term. Expelled?