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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Debilitating Productive Cough Along With Post Nasal Drip?

About 6 days ago I came down with a mild sore throat and cold. Shorty after it settled in my chest and now my only symptom is an unrelenting cough and tons of phlegm. I feel the tickle of post nasal drip down my throat and phlegm keeps making me choke and cough. It s extremely bad at bed time and kept me up coughing the entire night and gasping for air. I went to the Express walk-in clinic last night and the doctor gave me a steroid shot, gave me prescription for cough medicine, and said to buy Flonase. I felt better within an hour after leaving his office and at home took the cough medicine (promethazine) and a dose of the Flonase. Later that night the cough came back even worse! To the point of gagging and throwing up phlegm! Was awake until 5:30 am coughing. As the day progressed, I felt better and cough died down but now tonight the phlegm and over production of mucus is back and so is the continuous cough. I did the Flonase dose, then a little while ago I took 1 Benedryl and now just bought Musinex DM hoping that will reduce the phlegm. Will the Musinex DM be the final solution? What causes over production of mucus and phlegm? This cough is debilitating and I ve missed tons of work. Thank you.
Mon, 23 Jan 2017
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Dentist 's  Response
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain the symptoms of severe cough and phlegm production along with Post nasal drip and breathlessness can occur due to a number of causes like severe upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, lung infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc..
I would suggest you to consult a Pulmonologist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and investigations like sputum culture, chest x ray and complete blood picture can help in confirmation of cause and treatment can be planned accordingly..
Mucinex DM contains Dextromethorphan that is a cough suppressant while Gueifenesin is cough expectorant and will help in loosening the mucous and ease in drainage and it will be helpful..
But in case if there is infection the you need to get it treated to relieve the symptoms..
You can be advised a course of antibiotics like Cephalexin, anti-inflammatory painkiller like Motrin, anti allergics like Levocetrizine, decongestants like Phenylephrine, mucolytics like Ambroxol, cough syrups and also warm saline gargles, steam inhalations and used humidifier in your room..
Avoid spicy and chilled foods and drink warm water..
Take ample of rest..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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What Causes Debilitating Productive Cough Along With Post Nasal Drip?

Hi.. Thanks for the query.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain the symptoms of severe cough and phlegm production along with Post nasal drip and breathlessness can occur due to a number of causes like severe upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, lung infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc.. I would suggest you to consult a Pulmonologist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and investigations like sputum culture, chest x ray and complete blood picture can help in confirmation of cause and treatment can be planned accordingly.. Mucinex DM contains Dextromethorphan that is a cough suppressant while Gueifenesin is cough expectorant and will help in loosening the mucous and ease in drainage and it will be helpful.. But in case if there is infection the you need to get it treated to relieve the symptoms.. You can be advised a course of antibiotics like Cephalexin, anti-inflammatory painkiller like Motrin, anti allergics like Levocetrizine, decongestants like Phenylephrine, mucolytics like Ambroxol, cough syrups and also warm saline gargles, steam inhalations and used humidifier in your room.. Avoid spicy and chilled foods and drink warm water.. Take ample of rest.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.