2 years of throat clearing, thick mucus and post nasal drip sensation (allergy/reflux/nerve?)

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Hello,

Suffering for 2 years with sensation of thick mucus stuck at the back of the nose, which I'm often able to hock up out of my mouth (clear but very "snotty" and like thick glue when it's in a tissue).

Sometimes it gets in my throat and I often clear my throat all day long too. I guess this is post-nasal drip, but not watery or thin (like you apparently get from an allergy), it's very thick and feels awful like a lump or glob that won't move, until I hock it up, but within minutes it's back again...

Tried all reflux and allergy medications (double-dose PPIs, steroid sprays, allergy RAST tests, antihistamines, singulair, antihistamine sprays, nasal irrigation, gastrocopy, multiple nasal/throat endoscopes, sinus CT scans), and they can't identify the problem... All of my symptoms disappear completely, when I eat or lay down with my head to either side (which I find very odd! Equally, if I take pseudoephridrine (oral decongestant), my symptoms go too (but I know that's not a long term option).

Anyone ever dealt with anything similar or know what to suggest next?I've been thinking of self-treating with amitriptyline (10mg at night) and gabapentin (100mg 3x per day), to see if this is a hypersensitivity/nerve issue. I have absolutely no other symptoms and can't live much longer like this, it's completely ruined my life and things are just getting worse sad

Thanks for any help at all.

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  • Posted

    Mine began 1 1/2 years ago with a cold that lasted weeks. I still have the mucous cough everyday. Sometimes it seems to almost clear up but then it's back. I have never been allergic to anything. I read somewhere that some blood pressure meds can cause a constant cough. Got off the one I thought was causing it, but it didn't work. But, others have said getting off the med doesn't make it better. I am so tired of it. 

  • Posted

    this is general reply.

    had the nose work done did not correct the symptom. but after being a mouth breather it is sure nice to only need the nose. and i swear i think better. this was 5 years ago.

    i still have a sticky mucus problem but it has been getting better ever so slowly. to be clear this mucus is so sticky it sticks to my tongue  and i can pull it off by grabbing just the tip of it. or i have been known to simply cough and it will fly out. most times its hard to hack it up though. my trouble is now mostly after i get up after laying down. i still will have some hack attacks during sleep but now its not to often.

    i had the balloon septoplasty, it was a nasty experience. lots of nose bleeding for a day. only do it under general.

  • Posted

    My husband has been suffering with clear thick sticky mucus in his throat for several years and he has to clear it with violent coughing each morning.  He’s had all sorts of tests which have not identified the cause and tried all sorts of medication to no avail.  Has anyone found using a flutter device helpful for this condition? 
  • Posted

    Hi guys,

    I have been dealing with the identical situation. I went the distance about a year ago and found a great dr. He performed the fourth and final surgery on my sinuses. 3 previous surgeries I had no change still had blockage on one side. Today I have great flow on both side but mucus and drip continue. It’s really depressing and draining me. If any of you find a solution please let me know. 

    • Posted

      Hi Joseph

      I also suffer from this mucus problem. My ent doctor put me on a course of steroids for a week and the problem nearly cleared up best it’s been for 4 years. However since I stopped taking the steroids it’s all come back.! I’m due to see him again next week but I don’t really want to go on steroids long term 

    • Posted

      Which steroid? I have been on prednisone and yes it clears up but comes right back on me. 
    • Posted

      Yes that’s the one . Don’t know if u can go on these long term. Have you had any joy 
    • Posted

      Hi Joseph

      How have you been getting on ? anymore news to share? i am still the same no good.

  • Posted

    I am having the same issue where the thick mucus makes me snore and can't get a good night sleep. I do clear my thorat occationally in the day time but the problem doesn't bother me in the day time as much as the night time. I found saline water rinse helpful when I rinse both my nose and throat. To do this you have to let the water go through your nose and drain it through your mouth. This along with humidifier helps a lot.

  • Posted

    I have all of your symptoms for the last 8 years...

    Had surgery to correct my deviated septum (which I am thankful that I can breathe better..)

    Tried Serrapeptase, Oil of Oregano, NAC, Colon cleansing, detox and a host of other 

    Chinese Herbal brews and supplements

    Have been taking Omeprazole, Amytriptylene, Gabapentin, long-term on a daily basis.

    Used salt and sodium bicarbonate nasal irrigation, many brands of nasal spray....

    Pseudoephedrine and Loratidine helps, but only short-term relieve...

    Recently tried Telfast D (Fexofenadine and Pseudoephedrine), work only during the first 2 weeks then symptoms came creeping back.

    Still on quarterly review with my ENT doctors.....may suggest surgery to allow better mucus management in sinus....

    Have not tried restricting my diet, however sugary stuff does irritates the throat and trigger an avalanche of mucus...

    • Posted

      During my recovery period for my Total Knee Replacement,

      I've had 2 'symptoms-free' weeks (no mucus, no coughing).

      I was on aspirin 100 mg every morning..

      Let me try the aspirin routine and come back to this posting....

       

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