When Is a Cough Not a Cough?

For days I have been clearing my throat and coughing. It feels like there is something stuck in there that just won't clear. It has become an irritation. And a nuisance. I decide to keep my "just in case" appointment with the ear, nose and throat doctor. It was a follow up to my not being able to sing well, to the buzzing rattle of my vocal cords.

That has cleared up nicely. When I open my mouth to sing, clear sound comes out, no silence, no frogginess. Most of my range has returned. I thought about cancelling the appointment, but I also want him to look at the mouth sore, just to be sure.

He looks me over thoroughly, asks me some questions. Surprising that the symptoms he mentions fit my experience perfectly. He spends extra time looking at my mouth sore.

Turns out he agrees with the dentist about the mouth sore being gum disease resulting from the cancer treatment. In fact, he told me that some patients have to have all their teeth pulled because the risk of infection from just this scenario is too high to risk. He is happy to do a biopsy should the dental treatment not work, but he assures me that he is also very sure it is not cancer.

That leaves the other issue, which is also a result of the treatment and partially caused by the lack of saliva, but also from the ongoing chemo. I am having some reflux - not necessarily gastric acid - that has irritated my throat. So yes, there is some swelling that feels like there is something stuck in there.

No amount of clearing my throat or coughing will help, but he writes me a prescription and tells me more foods to avoid, and to not eat before going to bed and to sleep with my head elevated.

Controllable. In 4 to 6 weeks the symptoms should clear if I am diligent. Sigh. More things out of my diet, but at least this is not a big deal. I will pick up the scrip tomorrow. And see him again in a few weeks.