Months & months of chestiness/rough throat

Everyday living
1

I suppose I’ve always been a bit prone to asthma and bronchial problems. I’ve never been able to go anywhere - even five minutes to the post box - without a handkerchief. Anyone smoking nearby, even if they’re not close enough for me to see, makes my nose block instantly. My nose runs every time I eat anything (probably not allergies, as it doesn’t seem to matter what food it is), or if I change from a warm to a cold atmosphere, or vice versa. I often have coughing fits for no reason, and these sometimes finish with a round of sneezing.

So you get the general picture. Most, if not all of this well predates MS, going back as far as childood. BUT, I’m not sure if it’s actually getting worse, or if my tolerance is getting lower, because I feel so pants with everything else.

I’ve had a hoarse voice for months, going on years. My throat always looks a disaster area - I get through gallons of medicated mouthwash. I think I can feel a slight wheeziness in my chest after coughing, but I don’t know for sure it’s not a kind of neuropathic buzz, that echoes the cough (I’ve had similar with my foot - a sort of buzzing echo with every footstep, so I think the same with a jolt like a cough would be possible).

I have heard of people with MS being more prone to bronchial infections, but always assumed this was mainly the case for people quite severely affected by MS, and not very likely for anyone who was still up and about and walking unaided.

But now I’m wondering if it’s all related, and I have some sort of permanent infection.

As an aside, when I got knocked down, and had all my vital signs checked in the ambulance, one of the first things they said to me was: “Do you know you’ve got a temperature?” I didn’t, and yet wasn’t surprised, as I always or mostly feel I’ve got a bit of an infection.

I have discussed these things with the doctor on isolated occasions, but no link has been made with the MS, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a course of antibiotics. She has at times said I seemed to be at the tail end of an infection, but was reluctant to prescribe for something that seemed to have almost run its course ayway. I’ve occasionally been prescribed nasal sprays of various types, but we’ve never found a permanent solution. I’ve also tried proton-pump inhibitors (Omeprazole) in case my gullet might be getting irritated by stomach acid.

I’m getting fed up. I thought it might improve as we moved into Spring, but I still feel as if I have a constant low-level infection. I’m starting to feel it’s time to try again with the doctor, but before I do, I just wondered if anybody felt this was a known MS thing.

Tina

x

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Hello Tina I don’t know if what your describing relates to ms. Have you ever been referred to a specialist, regarding this issue? Do you or have you, ever used an inhaler? Take care Noreen xx

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Hi Noreen, No, I’ve never been referred. Years and years ago (more than 20!), I did have an inhaler, but never renewed the prescription after the first couple, as I used to find that by the time I was already having a coughing fit, the tickliness of trying to spray something down my throat just made it worse. I think, these days, they have a different kind, that are supposed to be preventive, rather than used once you already have the problem, so perhaps I should enquire about these more modern types, and whether they’re worth a go. I feel as if I’m having a fairly low level (touch wood) sensory relapse at the moment, but it’s occurred to me that if I did have an infection, as suspected, it could explain why I feel a bit “relapsy”. It might be the infection, not a real one. This is typical - I only saw the neuro the other week, and told him I felt there was mild activity, which I’d been monitoring for about a fortnight. He wasn’t too concerned, if it stayed like that. But I’d say within 48 hours of seeing him, it got a bit more noticeable. Always the way! I never have much to report when I see him - trouble always starts just after I’ve said I was fine. T. x

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Hello Tina Personally Tina, if I was you, I would be asking my gp to refer me to a specialist. They are the best ones to sort out these problems your having. Like you say. There are many new products on the market now. Definitely wouldn’t just accept a prescription fromy gp…would prefer specialist opinion first. Good luck Noreen xx

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Hi I’m on my 5th lot of antibiotics this year and have been referred to ent I’ve always had sinus problems phlegm. In chest but constant since ms reared and I frequent show signs of infection Hope u get it sorted Em x