2 years of throat clearing, thick mucus and post nasal drip sensation (allergy/reflux/nerve?)
Posted , 216 users are following.
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 
Thanks for any help at all.
15 likes, 758 replies
ryan99052 derekjp
Posted
I'm having almost the same symptoms. I will feel completely fine then all of a sudden the coughing starts. Could be sleeping, or middle of the day. It does seem to happen more often at bedtime. The cough is productive, heavy phlegm from the chest. Had a taste. Almost a metallic taste. I usually have a quiet wheeze sound with it. Sometimes my back itches really deep.
The only thing I have found that stops the cough is an asthma inhaler. I will cough for 30 minutes + without it. Usually 2 puffs and cough stops within 5 minutes. Sometimes afterwards I am left with some thick post nasal drainage. Throat clearing and almost choking on the thick crap. Over the summer months it has gotten less frequent but times of rain, or colder weather it comes back. (Can't wait for fall - sarcasm).
I have a deviated septum. Been diag. with acid reflux. Never smoked but ex wife of 15 years smoked. Been done for 2.5 years. Also worked in a shop for 5 years with LOTS of aresols and welding. Had similar problems then. Got out and they went away. That was 10 years ago.
I have tried omepazole. Made me itch. Now taking Zantac. Also taking a nasal spray. Tried going to ENT but they didnt even listen to me. Have had numerous bloodwork all came back fine. As I said through summer it has been better but still comes. Im put of ideas. I have pretty much settled on allergies or acid reflux.
My sister had bad allergies and used some herbal treatment and said that cut her asthma down from an inhaler a week to one every 6 months. I may try that.
I haven't slept a full night in over 9 months. Hence why I'm posting this at 6 am on a Saturday. Starting to lose my mind.
bonnie091753 ryan99052
Posted
I can relate to your experiences. ENTs do not even listen to me. All medications prescribed were done so with "I think it might be, let's try this!" Not one physician has tested the mucus for a diagnosis, I have asked them all to do so; they look at me like I've lost my mind. Last "might be diagnosis" was GERD, by an ENT not a Gastroenterologist. That is like going to a dentist for a angiogram! I am currently trying the Grapefruit seed extract, first day and night were great, mucus greatly reduced; today it has been a constant leak from sinus into mouth. Thinner mucus but constant.
gnam811 derekjp
Edited
Thought i was the only one.
helevald gnam811
Edited
bonnie091753 helevald
Posted
An Easter family gathering found me with a tissue at my mouth most of the day. No one wanted to be near me, I cannot say that I blame them. I am retired so can spit all day when I am home, I do not know how I would handle this condition if I was still working.
geha derekjp
Edited
Hello derekjp. I have just found this site and read your report above. I have had the exact same condition for going on 7 to 8 years now.... just as you describe... but it seems mine has reach a chronic condition. It has been so debilitating I struggle to get through each day. I too have had five cameras put down my throat by ENT specialists, had a bronchioscopy, tried salt water flushes, sprays, xylocane inhalant which numbs the throat but doesn't actually change anything, and three endoscopies. I have tried treating is with diet, naturopathy, homeopathy and finally had to resort to faith healing. During the process of the last few years, and when they did the first endoscopy (which required an anaesthetic with a camera put down into the stomach as you probably know), they happened to take skin biopsies of the stomach lining and the oesophagus, which came back with the report of atrophic gastritis plus Barrett's Oesophagus (GORD). But the specialist and doctors don't think the two are related. I also have anxiety issues and have done heaps of therapy and trauma counselling, and I it has become apparent that the body/mind holds trauma in the body and I have found out that my nervous system has been operating on either 'freeze' or high alert, hence and anxiety/worry habits. However, I still feel that there may be a bug or bacterial infection that no-one has put a finger on as yet. The doctor's have given up, and I stopped searching for answers, but it is so bad at the moment that I came online and did a search and found your report. It is not a good thing I know, but at least someone on this planet is having exactly the same symptoms and maybe I will now go through and read the thirty something replies you received and see what I can make out. Please keep in touch and let me know if there is any new information we can share with each other. Best wishes, Sincerely, Geha
sam01206 geha
Posted
Hi geha,
How do your complaints interfere with your sleeping and general functioning through out the day?
I've been recommended osteopathic threatment that can cause relief! I'll go there next week and will let you know! According to last ent I visited, the problem can be connected to the lymph nodes!
c37137 geha
Posted
tom78394 c37137
Posted
Long time problem for me, also. One doctor said that I should move (from Phoenix) after he saw that "stuff" in my throat. Another advised surgery for deviated septum. I didn't think they would help, so I did neither one. Now I don't have to wonder if they would have helped.
I am on allergy shots and my allergy doc seems baffled why I still have so much post nasal drainage and nasal congestion. "Frustrating" was his answer, which meant he didn't know.
In the Phoenix area, year round particulate pollution is a problem. I am going to follow the Air Quality Index and monitor my symptoms and see if there is some kind of relationship. I was told by another doctor that pollution can trigger allergic symptoms.
David89347 tom78394
Posted
EO18 sam01206
Posted
I have being feeling it for over two years. With me, it happens at night, or if I get nervous, or even have a cold drink. And I also have huge bumps on the back of my tongue. I think it has to do with acid reflux with is pretty sad when you are 40 and looks like 29. I don't have a deviated septum and I'm not sick all the time.
roderick08435 geha
Posted
I think you nailed it. I have 2 conditions that could only be bacteria, and can't be cured with antibiotics. I had my first uncurable staph infection 6 years ago, which ended in surgical removal. It wasn't over. I drive a truck on long hauls, and get nasty hair follicle infections. These infections are related to staph. Staph lives in the nose. Now i have had a post nasal drip of thick slime. (Can't cut it with teeth) No doctor had any success in treating me, and I've seen 4 or 5. They don't even know what it is that's causing the post nasal. I've taken all four common antibiotics.
The way i cleared my skin was to keep hands washed and away from my nose at all costs.
As for the thick nasal drip, i use a neti pot regularly when I'm at home. It clears me up for a day and a half. I mix saline, water, and 1/20 part peroxide, or rubbing alcohol. You will know if you use too much as it will burn, but it doesn't take much. This helps. The mucus thins to regular levels, and i don't have to constantly spit all day every day. I literal spit every 15 mins at my worst. I think I'm killing the most of what causes the drip, but since the cavities are so much deeper than the water solution can reach, the problem returns eventually. I wish i could spray out the entire cavity like this. When i get time, ill try and convince a doctor to help me do that with my solution. Hard to get a docto do things your way, as you may know.
Also there is a machine that is sold OTC that functions like a neti pot. I forget the name, but I'm about to try that with my combination of solutions. I do believe this thing is bacterial. We have overused antibiotics and now we are paying. Hell, i hear gonorrhea is uncurable now. Be safe! Learn about super bugs, and avoid them. Scientists are working diligently, but haven't found cures that don't mutate these demons into resistant strains.
angel38907 geha
Posted
Ive been going through similar for almost 2 years now. Interesting that you mention a bacteria they havent tested you for as the possible cause. Ive been wondering this as well since my symptoms began soon after starting a position at an International College which led to me being around over 1000 students from 2 countries.
perry37168 angel38907
Posted
i had sinus surgery last week and they have said i have a condition called vascilitus . i have crusting in my nose and sinuses, always blocked full of thick phlem
raja43467 perry37168
Posted
how is your condition now?
bonnie091753 geha
Posted
I have noticed when I stress over the smallest thing the mucus starts to flow. I've had this situation for 3 years and a few months. I've not gone to the extent you have for testing, the physician visits I have had amounted to no resolutions.
Thank you for your post!