What Causes Drowsiness And Excessive Yawning Along With Dry Cough?

Posted on Wed, 21 Jan 2015

Question: I am a 54 year old male that was in very good physical condition until I had a heart attack in mid 2011. This was a single blocked artery repaired with a stent. Since then I have been fatigued and weak with restless leg syndrome over my entire body (this started at least a year before the attack), and recent phlegm build up when I try sleeping, causing throat clearing for up to 2 hours. When I am not in bed, I have a dry cough that lasts about 15-30 minutes. On or off Coversyl doesn't seem to make a difference. I yawn an embarrassing amount through the day. If I work out, the next day I am so tired I can barely stay awake even after 9 hours of sleep and the yawning is borderline ridiculous.

Answered by Dr. Kunjan H Shah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
RULE OUT CARDIOGENIC EDEMA. AVOID SERTRALINE. CAN USE DIAZEPAM.

Detailed Answer:
welcome
i have read your query carefully and understood your concern.
i also go through your previous question.

1st thing i would like to tell that if you have frothy cough while you try to sleep that makes you awake, you have to rule out cardiac dysfunction again. As you had history of heart attack, this may cause cardiogenic pulmonary edema which causes frothy sputum specially when you try to sleep. consultation with cardiologist can help you .

Another thing is about restless leg syndrome. As i gone through your previous question , i came to know that you are taking testosterone supplementation.
i advise you to stop taking testosterone.

Sertraline should not be used as increases restless leg syndrome.
Drugs like benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment. this will give you Proper sleep also so that your yawning problem will also be solved.

You will require to consult a doctor for prescription of drug.

take balanced diet and do exercise regularly .
hope you are satisfied.

thanks dr kunjan h shah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj