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Phlegm in my throat and post nasal drip after Covid
Ever since I had covid in January of 2022 I recovered from the virus but I was left with a constant phlegm in the back of my throat and post nasal drip that will not go away. The feeling of having mucus in the back of my throat actually gets worse when I try to get rid of it by coughing. I have been given steroid inhalers, albuterol, allergy medication, but none of these work. The mucus gets worse especially after I eat. I've never felt like this before and it all started after covid. Can anybody relate to what I am going through?
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mimioto, Thank you for this. I have used Cromolyn Nasal Spray as it works differently than the other nasal sprays....BUT, I have never heard of Cromolyn Sodium Liquid.
I hope this works for you. Blessings....
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1 ReactionI wonder how that nasal spray differs from Flonase. I can’t use Flonase.
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1 ReactionCromolyn sodium is a mast cell stabilizer to help keep them from going berserk and releasing histamine whereas Flonase is a mild steroid to help with inflammation resulting from the release of histamine ( or other compounds). Kinda like a preventer v. a fixer.
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1 ReactionThanks. I guess I can try it and see how it affects my eyes.
Me too. I’m a week in and maybe some improvement but you know how that goes. It was prescribed by an allergy/immunology clinic provider but I think GI or even a primary would prescribe it. The thread has calmed down and I’ve wondered if it’s because symptoms are going away or its just coming our way of life. Blessings back atcha!
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1 ReactionI feel your pain .I started getting throat congestion about 6 years ago from construction being done in my building all the dust triggered it but Covid took it to another level. I found eating ices in the morning sometimes gives me relief for while. I was like you constantly clearing my throat all day . It just to annoying. I eat the sugar free pops it might take like two Ice pops to get it to calm down for a few hours . Also throat lozenges like ludens cherry those can help also I usually use it right before sleep . I hope this works for you .
I have found that after I work out, my congestion and drainage is much better. I try to work out at least5 days per week.
I’ve also considered if it’s caused by reflux, as someone suggested. It seems to start in my sinuses with stuffy feeling, then pouring water in my nose and throat. Phlegm in throat most of the time, but no coughing. Does acid go up into your sinuses? Bizarre. But, I’m going to revisit the idea with my ENT at next visit. As a precaution, I avoid acidic foods, chocolate and eating at night.
Cromolyn sodium liquid update; this is good news! Finally after cardiology, pulmonary, ENT, primary (repeatedly) and GI the most effective treatment by a huge long shot is the cromolyn sodium oral solution that was prescribed by a specialist in a clinic for from a specialist in ALLERGY/IMMINOLOGY (this even makes sense, why oh why did it take so long!). At my first appointment I, practically begging, said “you are my last resort, please help me”! In short she ordered a slew of allergy tests (nope I’ve never been concerned about allergies) and some bloodwork but the biggie was the rx for cromolyn sodium. Yes there are some allergies, mostly low grade, and they have little to nothing to do with my issues. Anything I eat has caused the severe reaction, acid reflux that H2 blockers and PPIs didn’t phase (and it took forever to diagnose because it was silent), the head congestion and chest phlegm, cough, chest pain etc etc., we all know these symptoms.
Three weeks of 10ml CS dissolved in water 4x daily on an empty stomach is simply WOW, it’s working!
It was the one guy (physician) who got in here and talked about the CS nasal spray , H1 & H2 blockers he trialed that seemed effective at first but not long term that got me going on this. Long COVID research indicates the mast cell involvement and my two systems, respiratory and gastric did seem to respond somewhat to ‘his’ therapy. But not entirely, not even close.
The immunologist listened and by the end of our first visit said “I think I can help you”. YAY! The feeling of hope … finally! Now getting the stuff was another story. 4 days on , woo hoo - fantastic results, then the availability problem, 4 days off, right back to square 1. Then 4 days on , 4 days off and finally the pharmacy got a better supply so 2 1/2 weeks of regular use and I’m thrilled. I’d say 75-80% cured! This in addition to H1 & H2 blockers, my faves are Benadryl for H1 ( even though she prefers either Claritin or Zyrtec (long acting), and cimetidine - Tagamet for H2. I have learned in the last week that I might even be okay dropping the H2 blocker after simply forgetting it a couple of times. Today I will consciously forget it and see.
So a FU last week with immunologist and an rx refill for 3 months. My Q to her was will this end or will I be dealing with it for life. And of course she could not definitively say. Some patients get over it and some are still relying on CS. Like I’m not the only one she’s treated for this? Amazing right? After all the other specialists treating me like I was either crazy or just not following their directives.
Hope this helps!
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2 ReactionsI omitted some points. The labs she ordered were to ID or rule out MCAS: IGE and Tryotophase. Both were in normal range although she put in another order for tryptopase that I can do in the event of a flare up. This was at my request since I had the first labs done early morning and fasting whereas the problem intensifies following a meal.
She also gave me an rx for a different inhaler because symbicort took a major toll on my voice and it really was just not working for me. Too pricey to fill but she does think the stomach problem started first and caused the respiratory problem so that’s a wait and see situation and so far so good. Some phlegm but greatly reduced, very little cough, much less in chest and Benadryl takes care of the head stuff.
She gave me a preliminary diagnosis of mast cell gastritis. Basically those mast cells have been on a nearly 2-year partying spree. The cromolyn sodium is settling that party down!
WOW! You have been on a roller coaster ride. I pray this gives you great relief. Thanks for all of the info on this. I will look into it.
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