when I was hungry, suddenly a point in my throat started to itch and I coughed like crazy and all hell broke loose with terrible violent coughing round the clock  and spitting up. Then cough with spasm with no ability to inhale immediately after coughing, only violent wheezing to get me back breathing.  All the tests at the hosptial were fine, chest X-ray, ECG, ear nose and throat and laryngoscopy--found nothing.  They suspected reflux.  After the 28th day on Lanton, reflux meds I started to feel a difference but stopped the drug and with the weeks gap of no meds before I went to the doctor, I felt immediate deterioration. Drying coughing, again, spasms, vomiting phlegm, belt-like tightness periodically in upper stomach region. So I"m two days back on the meds and don't feel the benefits yet.  How long before I"ll start to feel better?  The doctor says I"ll have to take meds for a long time?  What do you think?