Only in the Night, Build up of Mucus and Excessive Coughing

I too had this problem for years. Finally saw an allergist/pulmonologist and was diagnosed with allergic asthma & COPD. Am now on 4 different meds and no symptoms 99 per cent o0f the time.  When I am outside under certain conditions (fireplace smoke in winter & certain allergens in summer) I have minor flare up but nothing as severe as before treatment.

Hi there Desert Rat ... where do you live?  In which country are you?

I must admit I am NOT into doctors and in America (I lived there for 20 years) I know how they are into prescribing you everything and anything, be it to your benefit or not!

I am British but have lived in Portugal for 11 years now and it is a more 'relaxed' country as far as medicines go and more into generics and natural medicines.

I am 64 years old and healthier than I have ever been.

PortuGal xx

 

 

 

I live in Arizona in the USA. Moved from midwest where I had NO allergies...shortly after arriving here developed allergies but didn't see an allergist for years. Wish I would have done so earlier. The doc I see now is a DO who specializes in both pulmonary issues and allergies. The only Rx meds I take (so far--Im 68) are for the allergies & COPD. Expensive but worth it.

Hi there Desert Rat ...

How strange, my father lived in Phoenix for years and I visited there many, many years ago.

I am sure there are things you can take and do WITHOUT doctors and expensive medication that is worth your while.

Just woke up with something similar. Found this exercise. I know I have weak lungs so I was trying to find something to help. I am going to try a humidifier as well if it doesn't let up by the end of the night. 

 

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I'm up with my 5 year old son right now. He's hacking up mucus left and right. I deifnitely think it's allergy related. It seems to hit him hardest during the winter months. I also have times when I cough up thick mucus in the mornings. I think mine is related to food allergies. It seems that it happens when I eat items with soy or items with tons of preservatives the night before. Crackers and cereal get me everytime. I'm really starting to think twice about eating foods that have a shelf life of a year!! About 5 years ago I was feeling pretty ill. Gasping for air at night when trying to sleep, diificulty swallowing, food getting stuck in the middle of my chest, and pain in the middle of my back. The GP first said it was reflux then when those meds didn't work it was then anxiety. I'm not an anxious person at all. They just had no clue. Then I was sent to an ENT. He said that my mucus was a little thicker than usual and possibly I needed meds cuz my body was not producing enough mucus. Symptoms worsened until I finally took it upon myself to see a gastroenterologist. He scheduled a scope and took a biopsy of my esophagus. Come to find out, I have Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Basically my esophagus was having an allergic reaction and was narrowing. He prescribed to me Flovent, an inhaler. Rather than inhaling, I spray it into my mouth and swallow the fluid. It then coats my esophagus. Within about 30 days on flovent, all symptoms were gone. He said it's not known what causes the reaction. It could me something in the air or food. I went to an allergist and found out I was allergic to some foods but nothing severe. I honestly think it's soy and preservatives for me even though I tested negative for those. So do the research and have your GP refer you to a specialist. Listen to your body. Make a food diary and see if symptoms are worse after you've eaten certain things. Or do you notice it happens a certain time of the year. Just know you are not alone!!

It sounds like i have something similar to everyone else, but also have a few different factors. This just started when we started traveling during our move. I'm completely healthy during the day, then we stopped at a hotel and i woke up in the middle of the night coughing. It felt like I was breathing through a straw. Lasted about 15the min, and then I coughed up the phlegm (green) and was fine and went right back to sleep. It has happened every night since Monday night in 3 different states, at 3 different hotels, while i was out getting wings and had a couple drinks, and in our new home. There have been no signs of mold at any of these places, i am the only one this is happening to out of my husband and 3 kids, since we have been on the road dairy has been at a bare minimum. I have never had a problem with reflux before, though the only time it started while I was awake, i was having wings and margaritas. I havent been to the dr yet since we have been in a move and didnt think this was ER appropriate.

green phlegm usually means a bacterial infection.  i definitely recommend seeing a doctor and getting an Rx for an antibiotic if they say it is a bacterial infection.  finally diagnosed myself with a viral infection, got an anti-viral and was fine after 1 week.  that, after 3 months of excessive congestion ~ but the phlegm was white and occasionally a very pale green.

Yes, I agree green phlegm is something to be concerned about and as pj said probably means a bacterial infection.  Mine has always been clear or white and I am positive it is sinus/allergy related and is kept under control with anti-histamines.

 

 

I have my nights of coughing and mucus. To make a long story short it was due to my blood pressure medications. If anyone is on medications it could be the manufacture brand. Try a major brands instead.

 

You all need an overhaul. It's systemic. Try a Liver Gallbladder Cleanse. Then a Colon cleanse. Get a copy of "The Amazing Liver gallbladder cleanse" to start out with. You can't go wrong. Doctors couldn't help me either. You have to help yourself and do it. It helped me immensely in all areas. More energy, vitality, no mucus, clear breathing, etc.

I found out I have scarring in the lungs from frequent pneumonia and bronchitis dating back 60-plus years so am on a bunch of meds and over the counter. You might try mucinex 1200 1 tab morning and 1 tab evening. Also a nasal spray aimed at your sinuses when you squirt it. My mucus alternates between white and yellow and is very thick. The trick is to cough it up regularly so it doesn't sit in your lungs and bronchi and becomes infected.

This is a good series of posts.  Misery loves company.  These posts also inspire compassion for those who suffered from this for months and years.

My nighttime mucus and coughing have plagued me for about six nights.  But I feel I can't go through another night like this.  Feverish symptoms.  Horrible sounding wretching again and again over the toilet bowl.  Mostly clear mucus.  Headache. I cannot fall asleep until the dawn.  My terrible nights wreck my days--fatigue, malaise. 

I'll try 1) the aromatic clove (whatever that is) and 2) mucinex.  I'll 3) wash the pillow cases.  I'll keep a 4) food diary.  I've suspected I have either asthma or allergies for some time.  I'll make an 5) appointment with a pulmonary specialist.  6)  I'll even google the liver gall bladder remedy.

Good luck to all.  By the way, we never got the bottom of this:  why is it so much worse at night?  Is it simply that the body is in a prone position?

Hello Eddie

I hope you get a hold on this problem before it gets a hold on you!

I agree with Desert Rat that something like Mucinex would help. I cannot get that here but can get Bisolven which is probably something similar. I try to keep my bronchial and sinus passages clear and find that helps. But, I still get the night coughs and clags ... I am sure there is a link to being in a prone position as once I sit / get up, it all starts to clear.

All the best to everyone suffering with this what appears to be a 'medical mystery'.

try aloe vera blend it with water and drink it, it will clean your body from excessive mucus and other toxins also a teaspoon of coconut oil and a pinch of cayenne pepper as well is great i do this when i'm sick or for my son try to stay away from foods that are mucus forming until u feel better and then add them slowly and see how it hit u.. best of luck