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Original poster

Persistent cough /throat clearing.

20 replies

littlejo67 · 16/08/2014 21:18

My Ds20 went to the doctors at uni in January due to a cough that would not go away. Uni Dr said it would go and to give it time. It's now August and I can hear him in his room constantly clearing his throat. It's been this way since he came back in May.
It seems to be every few mins. It's not a deep cough more of a throat clearing cough with occasional proper deep cough. Doesn't cough when asleep.
I have told him that he needs to see the Dr again.
I am wondering whether it's a habit or a medical issue.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar.
This has been happening for about 9 months now!

OP posts:
Wiifitmama · 16/08/2014 21:24

I had this with my son though he was much much younger than yours (6ish). We had endless investigations with private specialist including a scope down his throat. There was nothing wrong with him at all. Basically, something had irritated his throat in the first place (we think summer allergies) and he formed a habit. We were given conflicting advice to ignore, not ignore. In the end, what worked was a constant reminders to stop doing it. To swallow instead of cough. It went in the end.

PJ67 · 17/08/2014 08:09

Could be a habit but my dad did this recently and was constantly clearing his throat and said it felt like there was something there. He ended up going to see an ent doctor who did a scope and said he had a harmless swelling caused by reflux. He was given gaviscon and it seems to have helped. I would advise him to go back to the doctor but may be worth trying some gaviscon just to see if it helps.

Original poster
littlejo67 · 17/08/2014 14:12

Thank you both for your replies. I will show him your responses and he can have a think about whether it is a habit or whether he could discuss with his GP incase there is a physical cause.

OP posts:
Original poster
littlejo67 · 17/08/2014 14:12

Thank you both for your replies. I will show him your responses and he can have a think about whether it is a habit or whether he could discuss with his GP incase there is a physical cause.

OP posts:
anywinewilldonow · 17/08/2014 18:12

Suggest to him to get some chewing gum. If it is actually habit, this should help break it!

GemmaTeller · 17/08/2014 18:15

Might be reflux - try gaviscon or rennies.

exexpat · 17/08/2014 18:21

Throat-clearing is a very common tic - DS did it for ages but he was also a lot younger (pre-teens). Does your DS have any history of tics/nervous habits? Is he feeling at all stressed or anxious about anything? In which case it could be that - but probably worth checking with the GP just in case there is a different reason.

Original poster
littlejo67 · 18/08/2014 11:53

Exexpat- I never thought about it being a tic. That is a possibility. Seems to happen most when he is on the computer. I can hear him now, and it's can be quite irritating the constant cough.
I wonder if he has irritated his throat doing this as he now has a really loud snore which he didn't t have before.

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Original poster
littlejo67 · 18/08/2014 11:55

Also it did start when he was at uni and was failing his second year and was in financial trouble so it was a stressful time for him.

OP posts:
munchkinmaster · 18/08/2014 11:59

My husband does this. It is so annoying. He won't listen about it being a habit. Didn't know could be a sign of reflux. That may be worth checking out as there are side effects of long term reflux. Thanks

Original poster
littlejo67 · 18/08/2014 12:01

Don't they give you an Endoscopy to the check for reflux?
Maybe it will be the cheaper - take these antacids and see if there is a difference!

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augustusglupe · 18/08/2014 13:33

Oh Throat Clearing!!Hmm My DH has had this for a few years, he's been to see the ENT doc who put a scope down, found nothing except for a bit of swelling, apparently caused by acid reflux. He takes Omeprazole for it which helps but he still throat clears. I do notice it worse when he's stressed with work or under pressure, so I suppose it's a bit of both.

Gatekeeper · 18/08/2014 13:35

I do this due to post nasal drip as does my dad

bonzo77 · 18/08/2014 13:37

IME it will be one of:
Habit
Post nasal drip (worse with a cold or hay fever).
Reflux

Original poster
littlejo67 · 18/08/2014 14:48

God its driving me mad- runs to get ear plugs!

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InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 18/08/2014 21:58

Post nasal drip/persistent catarrh would be my guess

ChickyEgg · 21/08/2014 19:37

All of the suggestions above but another thing to consider....my friend had a persistent cough which turned out to be reflux. Worth trying some gaviscon?

ashtrayheart · 21/08/2014 19:51

I had this and a prescribed inhaler helped. My ds does this too but think it's a tic in his case.

Wailywailywaily · 21/08/2014 19:58

One of the most common presenting symptoms of asthma is a persistent irritable cough, I think.

Original poster
littlejo67 · 21/08/2014 21:15

I never considered asthma, will look up symptoms and how they test for it.
Thanks for an extra idea.

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