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Anyone have Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy?
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (217)Comment receiving replies
Hi. I have suffered from a nasty cough for over 38 years. The last episode lasted over 8 months. I then went to the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale and in one day learned that I had a hypersensitive larynx. I was told that the causes for the cough I had been told before (acid reflux, nasal drip and even sleep apnea) were not the cause of it and first step was to eliminate all the inhalers I was prescribed as they weren’t beneficial and were actually irritating it
I’m now on Gabapentin (which some people here are saying it hasn’t worked for them) and between a low acid diet , Gabapentin and voice therapy (surprising that playing the kazoo helps) my cough is almost gone. Now trying to reduce the dosage of Gabapentin.
I think you have to find what works for you and it might be trial and error. I originally was drinking apple juice and consuming enough cough drops that I should have been buying them in wholesale. Now I limit normal cough drops due to the menthol (try Hall breezers they have fruit pectin instead of menthol) and watch for which foods trigger coughing fits (fresh citrus love it but have to be aware I could end up coughing and without a voice)
My voice therapist told me. Just try and reduce if you can’t eliminate the high acid foods (hint. Thick skinned fruits are ok. Thin skinned ones not so much). And do breathing exercises and the kazoo. Try it for 30 days. I will be honest I saw a dramatic improvement. Went from someone who was coughing so much I got dizzy, would fall down, vomit, pop blood vessels in my eyes, pull muscles, and generally have an issue with strong smells (open kitchen restaurants didn’t work well for me). To the point where I stopped baking and cooking. I’m now able to live a normal life without people staring or friends and family members worrying about me.
Replies to "Hi. I have suffered from a nasty cough for over 38 years. The last episode lasted..."
If you can't do citrus how can you do the Halls Breezers? It's the pectin that's trips my cough sometimes. Maybe it's something else that trips yours though. Everyone is a bit different. I went to Mayo in Rochester and they diagnosed the issue along with Dr. Bastian in Downers Grove, IL after Mayo. I have tried about all the "cures" and nothing has worked well for me except Tramadol, which was prescribed for something else but stopped my cough. Not permanently though. I have had to increase the dosage to get acceptable results but it's getting less effective. I tried the nerve block also without much success but they are now saying 3 shots or more is what is needed on each side. I haven't tried that yet. I didn't try botox because my doctor at Mayo said they were having better results with the block. I have also been reading about certain breathing/throat exercises like you discuss. It might be worth a try. I also just heard about cutting the nerve and will investigate this also, even though the nerve block didn't do much. But, I did only did the block once on each side. I keep looking and searching. Maybe some day....
I'm new to the group and navigating my way around the posts. You mention 'playing the kazoo'. I have reached the point with my cough that I know control and coping is about addressing both physical triggers and effects and psychological calming measures and they can be different for everyone So, I'm intrigued. What is the rationale behind the kazoo and what do you need to do? I'm surprised not to see any mention of chewing gum in the thread. That is one of my best calming measures. I don't think I would be able to drive my car without it.
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I have LSN so bad and I have found nothing to help me. Have tried everything the doctor has given me. Can you please let me know more about the kazoo breathing techniques or anything else that gives you a little relief. I can’t live like this. I don’t know what to do. Thank you.