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

I have had exactly the same thing for the last four years, and GERD can mimic asthma. But, GERD has also the double whammy effect of causing sinus issues, which aggravate the lungs. My throat shows scarring from GERD, which means it travels that far. When if first happened, they put me on acid reflux medication which took affect in about six months. One day, I just stopped coughing, and rarely ever had to use my inhaler. They then took me off of it after a couple of years, but then it just came back, and I'm back on the medication again, patiently waiting for it to clear up again.
GERD is NOTHING to play with.

I have the same problem only at night and have just found out that is it cause by a low functioning Thyroid.

i have also, i wake up out of my sleep and cant stop coughing up the spit

Are you on Omaprozon? My specialist says it is a mild medicine with few side effects, I take just 20mg/day. I get periods of nocturnal coughing and some periods without it. One to watch out for with proton pump inhibitors is they can also inhibit calcium absorption and affect bone density. You need to do a bone scan, this can be done cheaply on your foot. Psithyrus

I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS FOR OVER 30 YRS. THE MUCUS CONSTANTLY BUILDS UP...I AM CONSTANTLY SNORTING TO GET IT UP...I CAN'T BREATH THEN MY CHEST HURTS,& HAVE TO KEEP GOING TO DR. TO TAKE ANTIBIOTICS BECAUSE IT BACKS UP IN MY CHEST....BUT,TWO DAYS AGO I GOT ON LINE TO SEE ABOUT A PROBLEM MY NEW GRAND DAUGHTER WAS HAVING BEING CONGESTED & A PEDIATRICIAN SAID TO PUT THEM IN A BATHROOM WITH YOU WHEN YOU TAKE A SHOWER,( IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A VAPORIZER ).... & IT WOULD HELP...I GOT MY VAPORIZER OUT & MY THROAT ISN'T DRYING OUT AT NIGHT... IT ALSO HELPS WITH THE SNORING MY HUSBAND TELLS ME.. LOL...I CAN'T TELL YOU THE SPECIALIST & DRS. THAT I HAVE HAD ,& NOT ONE OF THEM TOLD ME TO GET OUT A VAPORIZER...ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF DAYS BUT I AM IMPRESSED HOW MUCH IT HAS HELPED ME ...I GUESS THE HEAT DRYS OUT THE AIR ...I HAVE A CONTAINER OF WATER BY THE REGISTER BUT I GUESS IT WASNT ENOUGH...MY ADVICE IS TO TRY IT... GET A VAPORIZER ...IT'S HELPED ME SO MUCH I MAY BUY ANOTHER ONE TO KEEP GOING THROUGH THE DAY TIME TO MOISTEN THE AIR... I HAVE TRIED HUMIDIFIERS BUT TO ME THEY ARE A NUISANCE TO CLEAN OUT... MINE SUGGESTED TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF SALT IN IT BEFORE TURNING IT ON... NOT EVEN A FOURTH OF A TEASPOON.... HOPE IT HELPS....I WOULDN'T WISH WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE LAST 30 YRS. ON ANYONE, & I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS TAKEN ME THIS LONG TO FIGURE IT OUT....GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS...

I also sort of having symptoms like some of you guys. Mine starts in the afternoon, phlegm build up on my throat BUT I CANT SPIT IT OUT. I intentionally cough to expel the phlegm but not successful. I can sleep well no difficulty in breathing and only having occasional cough. Two months ago, I got my CBC(complete blood count) and found out that my eosinophil level is elevated, it is 18% too high compared to 0-5% as normal. Starting that time, I think there is something on my throat or maybe some allergy. At first, I thought that my high eosinophil count is cause by the acne-like / fats at my back, but as I see a dermatologist; what is on my back is only fats / not allergies. Any ideas?

you sound like me. I have been experiencing this worse the past year. I have seen four doctors, one allergist and today a pulmonologist. They said I had asthma, received prednizone shots, antibiotics, inhalants, nasal sprays ...only to have this experience continue. Some say it is the nasal drainage from chronic sinusitis, others say it is the gastro esophageal reflux disorder I have. I have been cleared from TB or valley fever that could affect the lungs. I have now received my third type of blood pressure medication since the other two have coughing as side effect - hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol. I am still puzzled and waiting for the final diagnosis.

yes I feel for you because I think you and I have the same issues...and this bad breath for years that I cannot identify possibly is from the same problem. I did have endoscopy done and confirmed my tummy issues as well. thanks for your candor.

Wow the only good news here at 2am coughing is Im not the

been at this for years, moved, go away, and it follows me. Convinced that the issue is digestive, an allergy created because my stomach after too many tries at antibiotics was not able to digest something or things and set off an allergic reaction. Three days  on a very limited diet, then all kings of tests, stool , saliva, and blood work, hopefully will find out something soon. Have tried all the Gerd cures, realistically they are band aids for the real issue. I too can't liwe like this and if you will simply say a prayer for aresult hopefully within a few weeks I will have something to post.

Try elevating your head and chest a little more at night. This could be an allergy to molds, dust mites, or even pets. Definitely see an allergist and identify. I used to wake up nightly with phlegm I would spit in a cup by the bed. Super gross. At that time my home had a lot of mold problems and I was dealing with allergic and asthmatic reactions. Years later, I am doing allergy shots and hoping that will help. Currently, I'm waking in the am with a sore throat and yellow phlegm that is gone shortly after waking. I also recommend dust proofing your bedroom if you suspect a dust mite allergy. And if you are allergic to pets and have them - get a roomba to keep the hair at bay. Remember to change furnace filters annually too! And get rid of mold in your home or try to move!

I have the same thing, only mine starts at 11:00 pm with cough and excessive mucus from nose and mouth. Ends about 4:30 a.m. Clear mucus. Drives me crazy and I am allergic to sinus meds.

I'm a 54 year old woman, and I've had the same problem on and off for years. Right now I'm going through it again after many years of no problems. Here's what I think: it's GERD or Silent Reflux. I use an air cleaner in my bedroom, allergy-blocking sheets and pillowcases/pillows, and I also use a CPAP with built-in humidifier because I have mild sleep apnea. I still wake up in the middle of the night coughing with clear mucus. I tend to get tonsil stones and occasionally need to remove them with a q-tip (bluck, very gross and unpleasant). Sometimes it's just the tonsil stones causing the problem, sometimes not. To people who wake up feeling like they are choking: GET A SLEEP STUDY DONE! That is one sign of sleep apnea! I have tried using a nasal antihistamine recently, but it hasn't really done the job. Still wake up coughing. Recently I had a minor sinus infection after traveling, and was on antibiotics to clear it up. (The infection is gone now). I have noticed from observation over the years that after taking antibiotics, my reflux issues come back and I will begin having this excess clear mucus and coughing again. The antibiotics must kill some good bacteria that helps prevent the reflux. Of course, I do take probiotics and sometimes that solves the problem. But not this time. In the past, drinking water mixed with one tablespoon of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar at my meals really helped a lot. I found that remedy on the internet. I'm not exactly sure why, but it works very well to reduce reflux. I haven't tried it yet recently, but have decided to do it again to see if it helps (because so far nothing else has). So, here's what I'm going to do now that I have this problem again: 1. Stop drinking dairy and stop eating cheese. I have noticed that dairy definitely makes things worse for me. 2. No eating within 3 hours of bedtime. An empty stomach will help prevent some of the reflux. 3. One tablespoon of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar in my water at lunch and dinner -- because this has worked for me in the past. 4. Use my Neti pot in the early evening to clear out my sinuses. (It can't hurt!) 5. Start taking an over-the-counter antacid at night (someone here suggested a time-release one, which might be a good idea to start). (Antacid, not PPI drug). If none of that works, I am going to see my gastro doctor. I am starting to get concerned about my esophagus and throat. Years ago she put me on a PPI drug (like Nexium - a Proton Pump Inhibitor -- totally turns off stomach acid). It worked well and I was on it for about 6 months. However, what they don't tell you is that these PPI drugs deplete your B-12. So you need to keep an eye on that and take extra B-12 if necessary (If you have an anxiety reaction to B-12 like I do, try taking methyl B-12 instead -- Jarrow makes a good one). To tell you the truth, I wish I'd had my tonsils removed when I was a child. The tonsil stones are very annoying and gross, and I often get seeds or little pieces of food "stuck" in my tonsils when I eat, resulting in coughing at the dining table or in a restaurant. It's annoying and embarrassing. But I know that they don't recommend getting your tonsils out as an adult, so unless a doctor needs to do it, I guess I'm stuck with that gross problem.

Sorry for the huge block of text. I had paragraph breaks, but they were taken out when I posted.

After a year and a half of coughing I got to the root of my Chronic cough


My symptoms:


Continuos sticky mucus buidup, constant need to clear throat , early morming cough to clear mucus in lungs, sticky clear mucus cough up most times, sometimes you get cauging attacks after eating certain foods - which can cause wheezing


In my case it down to post nasal drip: - your nasal cavity produces several liters of fluids per day, an immune reponse cause the mucus to become thick & this in turn drips down into the lungs - hence cough


What causes it ... who knows - its different for everyone - usually an allergen, a food intolerance, pollution, dust, pollen, dust mites - its different for everybody


1st port of call is to contact you GP & discuss it - get an Xray/blood tests to eliminate cancer - next is to cut out foods that seem to make it worse (if its food related


2 work on rebuilding your immune system, cut out stress (vital), get your diet sleep & excercise in balance, I found that daily use of steam room was excellent in alleviating symptoms


3. Try & work out what the allergen is via tests,


4. Get saline nasal sprays or make your own, I find Sterimar Nasal sprays easier, doctor prescribed Beconase Steroid nasal spray, daily stem treatments help too

5 Avoid dehydration - drink loads of water, avoid caffeinated tees coffees & sugary fizzy drinks, avoid drinks with aspartame

It's not an overnight fix - it takes months/years to get back in order


Hope this helps :)

Hi everyone, I had the similar issue for years. Lately I begin to eat raw garlic and it seems to reduce the mucus build up and make it easier to spit out. I noticed my nasal passage and gum began to shrink after two weeks, I think this reduces the packets where the mucus could stay. Maybe this is due to garlic's antibiotic effect, but I'm not 100% sure. I still don't know what exactly caused my constant nasal blockage, but at least this relieves the symptoms and made life a lot easier.