Coughing/strangling at night

suburban3 · April 23, 2005

For about the past month, I've been coughing during my sleep and waking up strangling repeatedly. When I get up during the day, I don't cough. I've tried taking Sudafed at bedtime and it worked for a while, but not anymore. I've tried sleeping with a coughdrop in my mouth and it helps a little, but not much. I asked my regular dr. and he said to take Mucinex, but it can't be chewed, crushed, or broken up. I've taken it a few times, scared it would get stuck. It seemed to work, but when I don't take it, I cough all night again. I asked my lapband dr. about it this week and he said my lapband may be too tight. I have 1.8 cc (2 fills). He said to go on liquids for a week and come back in 2 weeks if not better. Have any of you had a coughing problem associated with your lapband?

DeniseG · April 23, 2005

Does the coughing lead to throwing up? Is the lack of breathing do to food lodged in your band?

If so, my husband use to have that problem before we realized his band had slipped. I don't know if that is your situation though because the medicine helped your condition. Sounds like extra mucous....maybe do to pollen since it is that time of year.

If not, with sleep apnea that is a common problem. I use to experience that alot when I had it.

Do as your doctor suggests. You may need an unfill if it is too tight. FWIW, This time of year is bad for a lot of people to get fills, myself included. Pollen can tend to make some people's band feel tighter than usual.

rachel · April 23, 2005

This is very interesting Denise. As an asthmatic, and have hayfever, this is good to know.

I might start a thread on the subject.

Take care,

Rachel

babsyintx · April 23, 2005

Hi,

You band is too tight. The coughing is actually reflux. You could aspirate, so you definitely should get some of your fill taken out.

Babs in TX

paula · April 23, 2005

Surburban,

Your symptoms are alot like reflux... are you sure this is not what you are experiencing?

If you want to give yourself a little test (for reflux), try not to eat OR drink (even water) at least 3-4 hours before going to bed. Just see if this helps.

Alot of times, reflux occurs in bandsters when our band is a little too tight.

Good luck, and let us know how this turns out!

debri85 · April 23, 2005

I'm still so new i can't relate in relation to the band but, I've had that problem and it's my sinuses draining at night....

Do you have allergies or sinuitis by chance?

vinesqueen · April 23, 2005

coughing is also one way that asthma manifests itself, as well as sleep apnea. Either way, please get this checked out! (hugs)

Fauxnaif · April 24, 2005

I do this too. Only because of my recent fill. It's a really good fill but it does bite me in the butt at night. I wake up coughing up too. I started taking an antacid pill at night and it's basically gone.

suburban3 · May 4, 2005

My dr. finally decided the coughing and reflux at night may be due to my band being too tight. It had progressed to the point that I had to sleep virtually sitting up!! The antacids, Prevacol, and Mucinex all worked for a few nights each, but quit helping. Yesterday he took out all of my fill to "give me a rest." Then he sent me to the hospital to get a barium swallow to see if everything was ok. The Xray guy said everything seemed to be fine. I was able to get a solid night's sleep for the first time in two months!! But I'm scared I'll put some weight back on. I've lost 60 lbs. since my Aug. 25 surgery, have 40 to go. He said to wait 3 weeks to start getting filled again. At the time, I only had 1.8cc. I lost 45 lbs. on my first fill of 1.4cc.

the best me · May 4, 2005

Take it easy and let that band area rest, the good sleep proves you were too tight. Glad to see you are sleeping well! That's just as important as weight loss!

I'm amazed at the difference a mere .4cc can make. I'm curious what the doc will fill you to when you go back. Surely you can't do too much weight gain damage in 3 weeks. I guess it's time to test your dieting skills! Good luck. And keep us posted!

leatha_g · May 4, 2005

Aspiration pneumonia is the last thing a bandster (or anyone) needs. This thing is for life. There is no race. Nighttime reflux is dangerous both to you and your band.

Alexandra · May 4, 2005

Leatha, truer words were never spoken. No one should go for more than a few nights with reflux waking them up. It's dangerous and does NOT assist in weight loss.

DeniseG · May 4, 2005

My husband only had 20 pounds to go on his weightloss when his band slipped because he wouldn't get his loosened and had the same symptoms that you had. You may gain a few pounds, but, so what, it is a whole lot better then having to do what he did...have to redo the surgery.

Desiree1970 · April 29, 2008

My band doesn't feel as tight as before... I'm actually able to drink. I had my fill while trying to get over a bad cold and cough...

I'm going to try Mucinex, but the pill is BIG...:coolgleamA:

Daisalana · April 29, 2008

Glad you got your band fixed!

Just so you know though in case you need Mucinex for being sick (I ran into a Mucinex snafu myself), the horse pill size slow-release are miserable if they get stuck in your pouch. I took one and it was there for 12 hours giving me problems. But I found out, they make sugar crystal type things for childrens Mucinex. Take the adult dose (it's on the packet). They taste a little off, but they aren't horrible and they don't give you 12 hours of discomfort!