I’m really sorry you’re going through this – I’m in a very similar position and still desperately looking for some kind of relief myself.

In my case, I’ve been told I have dysfunctional breathing / inducible laryngeal obstruction. Asthma-type treatment just doesn’t touch it. I’ve been on all sorts over the years – blue inhaler, preventer inhalers, antihistamines, nasal sprays, acid reflux medication, etc. I’ve also been given different breathing exercises and “stop cough” techniques by speech and language and other staff. Whether I do them or not, nothing really changes. The pattern is always the same: the meds and exercises don’t stop these episodes or give me any real relief.

My main problem is awful coughing fits that can go on for hours and completely wear me out. I struggle to clear phlegm from the back of my throat – it feels stuck there, so I just keep coughing and coughing but don’t really bring anything up. When it’s bad, I feel light-headed, “not right,” my vision can go fuzzy and I get really scared. It’s hard to think straight, never mind use my phone properly or call for help.

One strange thing is that my daughter has noticed (and I’ve realised it too) that I don’t seem to cough when I’m properly asleep. I usually wake up not coughing, then after I’ve been awake a short time, the coughing starts again. That, plus the fact that asthma meds don’t help, is part of why people have mentioned dysfunctional breathing / laryngeal issues to me rather than “standard” asthma.

I’ve been through ENT, had cameras up my nose and down my throat, tried different breathing and relaxation exercises – still no real improvement. I feel like I’ve tried everything that’s been offered but I’m still in the same boat as you: exhausted, anxious, and desperate for something that actually works.

I’m honestly at the point where I would do almost anything if it meant getting some proper relief from this. It’s the most horrible feeling and medical condition I’ve ever had, and it wears you down mentally as well as physically. I’m in exactly the same position as you – desperate, fed up of nothing working, and just wanting to be able to breathe and live normally again. There has to be something out there that will help people like us, and I really hope we both find someone who will listen properly and take this seriously.