I have not had a continuous coughing spell, so to speak.........as yet,
My problem is that I nearly always have the feeling a substance caught in my throat that keeps coming up and continuously coming up. It is a clear substance and mostly appears to be gel like, like mucus. I mostly 'suck it up' and out and once in a while cough it out or huff cough. When doing this at times I do have the mucus plugs come up and out and or a light yellow mucus.
However, yes it is difficult being out in public or wanting to be social and eat out. I mostly wear an N95 all the time when away from the house or out or when I feel it is necessary in other situations.
What I do is carry one of the short blue cap sputum viles and when necessary I pull it out of one of my water bottle carry all pockets and use it to remove the substance into it. Yes it requires lifting the bottom of the mask to enable me to do so. I covered the the original medical label on the vile with clear mailing tape so if anyone notices me and my vile, they can see it is a medical vile. So far only once did I have one of those questionable looks or comments and that was at the tail end of the worst of Covid.
My confusion is: Is the need to constantly clear my throat due to the hiatal hernia (I read they can cause over production of mucus and the desire and need to clear the throat) or the bronchiectasis (BE). I don't think there is a medical test that would be able to truly give me that answer.????
Many times I find that chewing a small piece of gum helps for a while but then while I am chewing the gum I have moisture that seeps out of the sides of my mouth on its own as if I am drooling. I carry a cloth hankerchief with me.
And then there is the other problem after having started airway clearance and huff coughing. !!!!
Needless to say....... life and ones days and activities are sure changed with the human health problems we can develop and as well ......further develop due to the aging process that our bodies go through with living life.
Wishing good answers for all of us.
Barbara