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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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I am taking a generic Prilosec, 24 hr time release tab each morning and was adding the OTC probiotic in the evening. I still have times . . . . I found in my reading & research that increased activity can also increase coughing spells which I do have happen. So it's not over YET, but it is better than it was. The probiotic was 1 that said probiotic for women. I am waiting for a new one by mail , can't be more specific at this time.
I am still doing nasal lavage( depends on nasal congestion). Also using Flonase nasal spray ( per ENT Dr. ) & using inhaler , Breyna , 2 x a day (per Pulmonary
PA) and generic Singular at night ( per Allergist).
I’m so sorry you’re still coughing. It was awful until I finally got treatment. It sounds like you lucked into a good lung doc. She started you on airway clearance and many pulmonologist don’t know to do that.
The culture results will be helpful and she probably told you the cultures will take 6 weeks.
How productive is your cough? I don’t cough much now and when I do, it’s dry. I’m using 7% saline-new last month because I was sick last winter and he’s thought this might prevent so many URI’s.
I also use a free app called Autogenic drainage-it keeps one on task while deep breathing and ends with huff coughing and I just do the 4.5” one. I started it a couple weeks ago after my little fevers were so persistent after Covid, thinking my lungs hadn’t cleared. They aren’t quite as crackly when I huff cough. It’s gradually gotten down to 99-99.2 for 3-4 hours in afternoon. It’s been 7 weeks-maybe my temp just reset.
I’m sure they told you to exercise daily, too.
Are you still having the sinus drainage?
Acid reflux?
Those can cause mucus/ lung issues. Getting my sinus and allergies under control were the key to me feeling better and decreasing the cough. My CT still has nodules and mucoid impactions etc, but my lung functions are good. I do have mild asthma that caused a little nagging cough, but it responded quickly to steroid inhaler, advair.
Mayo gave me info on postural drainage and some people try different positions while using Aerobika or acapella devices. If did it for a couple months, but started having reflux.
Good luck to you! Keep us posted.
Good luck to you too.
I'm new here, just registered because after years of on-and-off struggling with PND following Covid, I decided to start Googling to see if anyone else has experienced this! I'd count myself as fairly lucky though, I don't have it all the time, but when I get ill with anything to do with the respiratory system, it's a nightmare. I'm housebound, randomly getting the most horrendous tickles in my throat that only stop when I run the bath full of boiling water and inhale the steam. I also struggle with flights now as they make me so dry that I then rebound with an illness that causes the PND.
I have found a few things to be helpful though, so I thought I'd share, as a couple of things here might be useful for some of you 🙂 (please note, I'm UK-based):
1. Humidifier - I bought a large one and sometimes leave it on all night with some Olbas Oil in the space for oils/scents. It just keeps everything less dry, so is more a preventative than anything else - it's really important that it's a warm one, not a cool one (Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier - 3.8 litre tank)
2. Lemsip - my Doctor advised this one. When I'm really struggling with it, I take a sachet of Lemsip Max 3xday for 3 days. It dries things up, and as my Doctor said - reminds my body of what it's meant to be doing.
I find that now when I even feel a bit of a cold coming on, I take a sachet straight away to avoid the PND flare.
3. Salt Cave - I don't go often enough, but it's a great preventative for illnesses, and also does help get all the crap out when I've come down with something (this is the one I go to - crystalsaltcave.uk)
4. For flying, I wore a face mask to create humidity, but there is a thing called a Humidiflyer which I might buy if I have to go on a long flight (humidiflyer.com)
I tried reflexology, but hated the feeling of it, and she didn't mention anything being wrong in that area, so I gave up after a session or two. I'm going to try Five Element Accupuncture next week (I've booked in 3 courses).
Hope you're all finding some solutions and feeling better soon 🙂