Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat

Posted by adominic @adominic, Mar 22, 2022

I was sick the last week or January/first week of February. Home Test-negative, rapid PCR-negative. All COVID symptoms and known prolonged exposure to infected individuals make me believe it was COVID. Since then, I have had a tremendously hard time dealing with post-nasal drip and mucus collecting in my throat. It is clear, sticky and almost impossible to remove from throat by coughing or clearing my throat. Flonase does nothing, allergy pills do nothing. Had anyone else had an issue like this post COVID? How long did it last? What did you do to cope? Small problem in comparison to others that post here, I realize.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@walk4life

I tried Singulair last year and had to stop taking it due to side effects.

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So sorry

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I was sick last month with some sort of virus going around, negative for everything of course. I did do a covid test right away as the last 2 times I had covid it started with the post nasal drip. I just felt so weak and sickly and by the Friday felt like I had a fur-ball in my throat. Looking in my mouth with a light, my entire oral cavity (tongue, mouth, throat) was covered in thick white thrush....off to the immediate care where I got Nystatin mouthwash and an antibiotic as my cough had started and she didn't like the sound of it plus with my Covid history she wanted to be pro active. After a few days the thrush cleared, however I felt like I was getting sicker. Too weak to go back after the 5 days antibiotics. I messaged my PCP and he sent a RX for steroids to help get me out of my slump. Felt great for the 5 days, even though I slept 2 hours each night. then when I finished them, downhill again, ended up in bed for 3 days, just too weak to get up. I ended up missing going to my in laws for Thanksgiving dinner but I was so unwell it didn't matter. Its been almost 4 weeks and I'm still not well but improving, thank god.
I just still have this phlegm, so annoying. I use the nasal wash with Xylitol every morning n night before bed.
I actually went to see an Immunologist this week, I'm so sick n tired of being sick n tired. He said, "You look great" .....wtf..... I've been sick for almost 4 weeks (2 years from Long Covid), I'm far from looking great!
I asked him about IVIG infusions and he said that most people feel sicker after the infusions than better. Where can we go from here? I feel like I'm hitting wall after wall....

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@lmr29

I am so grateful for this group & the input from all. I had "a virus " and tested negative in trip to ER in April 2023. Have had ugly productive cough since then. Tried all OTC remedies. Saw 3 specialists; allergy, ENT, Lung clinic , over this past yr. Have really had to work my own program & do my best to get thru it. The RX's from docs & doing nasal rinses have supported recovery but none actually stopped the phlegm / mucous production. Time has seemed to be my best friend. I am gradually improving. Dr Google has been beneficial in helping me understand the symptoms I've had.

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I was experimented on with two in office procedures which didn’t help at all. Budesonide Rx nasal rinse and Singulair have helped tremendously after two years of nothing working. Improved greatly.

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@mmoose72

I was sick last month with some sort of virus going around, negative for everything of course. I did do a covid test right away as the last 2 times I had covid it started with the post nasal drip. I just felt so weak and sickly and by the Friday felt like I had a fur-ball in my throat. Looking in my mouth with a light, my entire oral cavity (tongue, mouth, throat) was covered in thick white thrush....off to the immediate care where I got Nystatin mouthwash and an antibiotic as my cough had started and she didn't like the sound of it plus with my Covid history she wanted to be pro active. After a few days the thrush cleared, however I felt like I was getting sicker. Too weak to go back after the 5 days antibiotics. I messaged my PCP and he sent a RX for steroids to help get me out of my slump. Felt great for the 5 days, even though I slept 2 hours each night. then when I finished them, downhill again, ended up in bed for 3 days, just too weak to get up. I ended up missing going to my in laws for Thanksgiving dinner but I was so unwell it didn't matter. Its been almost 4 weeks and I'm still not well but improving, thank god.
I just still have this phlegm, so annoying. I use the nasal wash with Xylitol every morning n night before bed.
I actually went to see an Immunologist this week, I'm so sick n tired of being sick n tired. He said, "You look great" .....wtf..... I've been sick for almost 4 weeks (2 years from Long Covid), I'm far from looking great!
I asked him about IVIG infusions and he said that most people feel sicker after the infusions than better. Where can we go from here? I feel like I'm hitting wall after wall....

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@mmoose72
You mentioned having Thrush. Were you on any steroid at that time that is sprayed into nostrils or inhaled?

Steroid have been known to cause thrush. I was on a steriod inhaler for several months with specific instructions to wash and gargle immediately after doing the inhaler.

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@adominic
Back in June I thought I had a sinus infection from all the drainage. Went to walk in clinic (Mayo patient but was on weekend). They did COVID and Flu test and came back positive for COVID. First time for me and I had taken all the shots and boosters.

Walk in clinic put me on pavloix (spell but COVID medicine) but Mayo called me the next day and said not to take and contradiction to two other medications I was on.

I felt terrible like you. My COVID issues caused a terrible sinus infection that moved into bronchial infection. Was on antibiotics that did not work and then on more and more until finally started getting better. During this time I was on prednizone, alberturol, but it took 3 months for me to feel better.

What I found was using the saline rinse really helped clear out my sinuses and reduce my nasal congestion, and post nasal drainage. I used the squeeze bottle where you squeeze a saline solution in one side and comes out the other and then reverse.

I am now on a medication called XHANCE which you spray into nostrils. It is a steriod. It really calms down my sinus irritation and drainage. But this is me and not you so just passing on what helped me.

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@jc76

@mmoose72
You mentioned having Thrush. Were you on any steroid at that time that is sprayed into nostrils or inhaled?

Steroid have been known to cause thrush. I was on a steriod inhaler for several months with specific instructions to wash and gargle immediately after doing the inhaler.

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I am on a steroid inhaler for my asthma/SOB but I've been on it since may and I wash n rinse after every spray. My dr said my immune system was struggling from whatever virus I picked up.

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@mmoose72

I am on a steroid inhaler for my asthma/SOB but I've been on it since may and I wash n rinse after every spray. My dr said my immune system was struggling from whatever virus I picked up.

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@mmoose72
Thought I would just mentioned it if you had not been told about it could cause thrush.

Can I asked which inhaler? I came off Advair as my irritation went away after COVID, sinus infection, and finally bronchial infection. I had anohter appt. with a different pulonologist who advised me to not use Advair but to use Alberuterol (spell) prior to doing Sprint Triahtlons.

After I was injured (tore up back of both legs sliding off dock) and could not finish swim portion of a triathlon have not been same. I tried two more races (start with swim) and developed unable to breathe in deep and could not finish swim. I think it is psychological so the triggers they used during pulmonology test would not show it.

Well I am 77 maybe my body is just saying: "time to stop doing Sprint Triathlons."

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@misssuezq

What type of side effects did you experience if you don’t mind me asking?

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@missuezq I had severe depression and anxiety when taking singulair

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@jkinc827

It is 5am, I have been up for an hour and have only had about 2 hours of sleep. Night after night I have had the same issue. Covid in mid-June. Beginning of August, post-nasal drip and constant need to clear the thin clear sticky mucus from throat. The doctors initially threw everything at it, meaning a antibiotic, nasal sprays, decongestant and nasal rinses. Didn’t do a thing. I cannot seem to find rhyme or reason to it being better or worse from day-to-day. Most often it is worse at night but can go on all day too. My throat tends to get dry and irritated from coughing or trying to clear the tickle/trickle in my throat. Sometimes it can feel like I am drowning and other times like a tickle. I do not feel like there is anything going on with my chest/lungs. I do get plugged up on one side or another if lay to one side. Yet, I can also feel like I can breath clearly through my nose, which is the case most of the time.
Because I have so much trouble staying asleep I am sleeping in a separate room from my husband, and both my mental and physical energy through the day is stained and low. I am getting so frustrated with this and any lack of ability to find a solution. I would like to know real solutions to only the same sensations. Thank you kindly.

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I have had the exact same issue for 3 months now. Just curious if you've found any relief?

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