Anyone have Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy?

I moved to Texas in 2001. Soon after, whenever I got a cold, I ended up coughing horribly for 5 weeks after the cold ended. This usually happened at least twice a year. Fast forward to 2019 and I'd take that 5 weeks. I have now been coughing continuously for maybe 4 years. I have tried every cold and allergy medicine over the counter, have been given inhalers, all kinds of prescription drugs for a cough, steroids, antibiotics (which were probably unneeded), reflux meds, etc... I have seen at least 10 different doctors, not counting the walk-in clinics, as well as an allergist (showed zero allergies on the scratch test) and 3 ENTs. I then found information online from Dr. Bastian about Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy (and the variety of ways they refer to this online) and finally felt like someone finally got what I was going through. I found other patients mortified by the coughing, gagging spells they went through as well; patients so tired of having to explain to good samaritans trying to help that the water, cough drop, honey, whatever holistic thing they offer, won't help (because you've tried everything) and then explaining what you have; patients who feel the need to tell everyone they are not contagious when you see people move away from you. It's difficult to work in an office of cubicles with this. I walked into a barbershop with my husband and, once some powder wafted over to me, I was sent into an embarrassing coughing fit, with tears streaming down my face, whole face turning red, and about 10 minutes before I could get it to calm down. People don't understand how a smell can trigger it, a laugh, talking, eating, drinking, BREATHING, anything. I just tell people it's a part of me now. Anyway, I am currently trying to work through Dr. Bastian's treatment. I tried the Amitryptiline, which appeared to help last fall, but didn't help after my last cold at max dose. I've been on the Gabapentin for a bit now, stepping it up as instructed. I'm at about 1800-2400 mg a day now. It's not touching the cough AND it's keeping me dizzy and nauseated all day (at work, it has me feeling like when I had a concussion - concentrating harder to type what I'm trying to say or do). I am weaning off of that right now. My ENT and I are regrouping at this point. The last 2 options I've been told (if meds don't work) are Botox shots to the throat and then surgery to cut that nerve. Neither of which are high on my list of things I want to do. One thing I have found... I take Tramadol for RLS flareups. When I take it, it stops my cough. I think it's working by killing the sensitivity of the nerve. It also dries up any sinus dripping, which we all know doesn't require much for us to start hacking. Anyway, there's my 2 (or 60) cents. I'm just hoping that this helps someone.

Hi, @tkubby - having a chronic cough for many years has got to be frustrating. I've had a chronic cough personally, and was constantly using cough drops, stepping out of public concerts or church services, and having trouble talking on the phone for a long time without going into a coughing fit. In my case, after much testing, this turned out to be the major symptom of my asthma, and is treated with asthma inhalers.

Sounds like your cough is prompting a lot of pain. What treatment is your doctor prescribing for your chronic cough due to your larynx sensory neuropathy?

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.

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.

I recently was certified for medical marijuana. I have tried several different kinds and finally have had great success with CBD drops. They are a 10:1 ratio of CBD to THC. I was told that CBD works best when it is kept in your system constantly. It has helped tremendously with my sensory neuropathy cough. After many many years I have found some relief. I am still currently taking tramadol but would like to see if I can wean off of that and just continue with the CBD drops.

I recently was certified for medical marijuana. I have tried several different kinds and finally have had great success with CBD drops. They are a 10:1 ratio of CBD to THC. I was told that CBD works best when it is kept in your system constantly. It has helped tremendously with my sensory neuropathy cough. After many many years I have found some relief. I am still currently taking tramadol but would like to see if I can wean off of that and just continue with the CBD drops.