I don't know if this is the same for all of us but I am cough and phlem free if I keep my liquid intake a little on the low side. I also found that I have lost weight on the lower liquid intake but I am being watch by my Dr's so I don't over do it and become dehydrated.( you could ask your Dr. if this would help you).

Tutmom, what you describe happening is called aspiration and it can be quite dangerous, causing pneumonia that can be very difficult to recover from. I would suggest that you talk with your doc and then see a speech therapist for a swallow test to determine if you have problems that can be resolved.

Thank you Jean, I will speak with my Pulmonary Dr. about this. I did not think it was that important to tell him!

You may want to watch what foods you are eating, many foods cause inflammation in our lungs which cause phlegm and therefore the coughing, one thing that can help getting the phlegm up is drinking a plenty of water it helps thins the mucus.
Hope this helps you !

True. Having said that. I feel awful that my wife has to watch me go through those coughing sprees?