Chronic mucus for past decade

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I'm almost 27, and have had chronic mucus production, leading to throat clearing and coughing, for about the past 10 years. This has been occurring year round, and I think it seems to be location-independent. In the past 10 years, I've lived in California, Colorado, Michigan, Texas, and spent extensive time in the UK, Italy, and China, and have not noticed any difference.

I've seen the following specialist doctors:

(1) Pulmonologist

(2) ENTs

(3) Nerve Doctor

(4) Allergist

I was told that the issues can be due to 3 things: (1) Rhinitis (allergic & non-allergic) (2) Acid reflux (3) Asthma.

(3) was thrown out because I took asthma medication, which didn't help, and I didn't have any other symptoms of asthma. I also took a breathing testing in a controlled lab, which ended up being normal.

I am thinking it could be a combination of allergic & non-allergic rhinitis, along with acid reflux (maybe GERD or LPR). My excessive mucus, while always there, are typically worse after eating. Pretty much after eating anything, I would feel excess mucus production. But I have tried many acid reflux medication such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, and some OTC medication that I don't recall the name. They didn't help at all. I don't have any other symptoms typical of GERD/LPR such as wheezing and heartburn.

I do have seasonal allergies in the fall. The symptoms associated with my seasonal allergies are different and result in my sneezing a lot, very runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, etc...

I have been tested for allergies, and I tested positive to:

weed pollen, dust mites, mold, grass, dogs, cats.

But allergy medication and steroids such as flonase, nasacort, ipratropium bromide, astelin, montelukast, zyrtec, claritin have not helped at all.

Even though the above allergy medication didn't work, which might suggest the mucus isn't due to allergic-rhinitis, my allergist said it could be that I just don't respond to those medication, but may respond better to immunotherapy, which I decided to start this coming September.

I had an endoscopy done by an ENT, and they could definitely see that the mucus is from post-nasal drip. But post-nasal drip can be caused by allergic & non-allergic rhinitis and acid reflux. They also noted that my sinuses&throat were quite inflamed and that I'm congested -- I've been this way for years.

Has anyone had similar issues and found success?

It's been bothering me for almost half of my life, and nothing to date has helped... It affects my voice, among other things. If immunotherapy doesn't work, I really have no idea what else to try...

Oh also, I use a netipot, and while it does flush out the mucus, I just end up generating more immediately.

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  • Posted

    I have been suffering from the same symptoms for the last (40) years and have seen every doctor you can possibly imagine with no results. I live with a constant cough, runny nose and watery eyes. I'm so over it!

  • Posted

    Hey, i really feel for you... i have the exact same conditions as you. in fact, out of all the posts that i have read across the different forums, yours resonated perfectly with my condition. so i just wanted you to know you're not alone in facing this!!

    just wanted to ask how has your condition been so far? did immunotherapy helped? my ENT specialist was suggesting immunotherapy as well but i am so on the fence on it. wanted to ask for your opinions on it!

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