Any answers to rid continual stubborn phlegm from throat?

Hello @eternity. Your situation sounds familiar to my own. For an entire year I was on antibiotics because the super-glue, consistency-type mucus was trapped behind my paralyzed vocal cords (VCs). This caused constant lung infections but because I could still talk normally, I resisted the VC diagnoses. In my mind, how could I still talk normally if my VCs were paralyzed? It made no logical sense. Eventually, I could not even bend down to pick a dandelion (I like to eat the flower!) without going into a panic. This is because it felt like I was drowning. The suggested treatment was to have a Tracheotomy, which I did, but only after waiting for weeks and hoping things would somehow change. Ugh...no.
That was approximately three years ago, and now all that mucus is readily accessible. The tube feels natural, and I do not even notice it is there anymore. Our brain is a wonderful thing! Several times a day I remove the tube and clean it out. Like you said, certain foods cause a lot of mucus, so being able to remove a simple tube and clean it out, leaves me with the ability to breathe freely. It only takes a few minutes each time...I do not follow the extreme protocol, but it IS clean!
Hopefully, you do not have frozen VCs, but please go to an ENT to have the throat scoped. It only takes a few minutes to find out. When you explained how it is getting worse, it brought back horrid memories. Several times I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air. Before my husband could even get his clothes on, I was out the door and driving to the emergency room. The AC in the car seemed to help just enough to make it there alive. However, trying to give my name, DOB, and insurance to the ER receptionist while barely breathing was something that will always stick in my mind.
The cause of my VCs paralyzing was either radiation, having severe Covid, or a combination of both. In addition, there are many operations to help people with this condition but involve surgery. As you are probably aware, surgery on radiated tissue can cause the tissue to become necrotic, so those options are out. I barely made it to the surgical date without dying. If it weren't for a Primatene Mist inhaler and a strong saline nebulizer, I know I would have died. That is what my stubbornness to have the surgical procedure produced! You are in my thoughts.

Thompson I thank you so much for taking the time to give me so much helpful information, that I will work on. My Dr is referring me to an ENT specialist. I'm hopeful and also happy for you that you have your answer. Thank you so very much.

The ENT specialist found nothing to solve my problem which I've been living with for 5 years. Endoscopy exams revealed nothing, although the ENT was convinced that I was suffering from GERD, and the last exam I had did not show any indications of GERD. I ever have heartburn or other symptoms either. But, apparently post nasal drip (which they now call some type of syndrome) can be difficult to detect and I personally feel that the phlegm build up that I get in my throat is nore likely coming from my sinuses. Mornings have been typically worse and it can take quite some time to clear my throat before I can speak normally without coughing etc. I've tried raising the head of my bed to sleeep which was recommended by the ENT doctor, as well as a spooneful of Gavascon before going to sleep--neither of these helped at all. Maybe these things will help you? I never eat after dinner and usually have supper by 6 pm. I eat 3 meals / day and eat healthy. I'm not overweight, exercise daily 30 minutes or more, and I'm in relatively good shape for a 71 year male. It would be a Godsend if I could find something to help me and I hope you find a solution as well--good luck!

Oops--that should read "I never have heartburn..." 😉

Thank you for this info. Yes, we do have a similar situation, however I alsohave low motility in the esophagus, which I've been told COULD be signaling my immune system to send phlegm to that area, BUT no remedy offered. I'm also an ex-smoker but haven't smoked for the past 26 years, but some said that COULD be it. A lot of "could be's" but no remedies.
it seems we both still have a period of time to wait it out. Good luck to you as well.

Forgot to mention that I'm an ex-smoker too, (quit in 2003), but it would seem that would be more related to one's lungs. I initially had my lungs x-rayed and they were clear. However, I had two older brother that passed away developing lung cancer after invasive surgeries. One of them never smoked, the other had quit for more than 10 years. I asked my doctor to enter me into the lung screening program here in Ontario, Canada and they do a much better job examing your lungs using a scanner and determined that my lungs were clear and fine. So no impact from that either. I've wondered if an allergy might be something to look into, although over the years I've only discovered allergies to wood dust from Rosewood, Spalted Maple, and instant glues like Crazy Glue (cyanoacrylate, an acrylic monomer that turns into plastic when it cures) so far. I stay away from those things and have done so since 2013. I might ask my doctor to refer me for allergy tests.

Good morning all. I've been reading these posts with interest. I too have issues similar to you folks, with the thick phlegm in the throat, night hours mostly. I'm thinking it is my nose/sinus' .....It does not happen all the time.....I've not had any testing done. I have a plethora of issues with Lupus. What's one more? Anyway, what really solves the problem for me, is a squirt of Otrivin. OTC medicated cold/allergy spray with moisturizers in each nostril. within seconds, I can breath comfortably. Maybe this could give you temporary relief for 8 - 10 hrs.

Thanks for the suggestion--even temporary relief is worth trying virtually anything.

Bluesmanbill: There is something informally called silent reflux (laryngopharyngeal reflux) that affects the throat, nose and ears. I don't remember if it involves the stomach acid but it does involve the digestive enzyme pepsin, which is an aerosol , so you don't necessarily feel any damage being done. An ENT named Jamie Koufman has a blog post on the topic https://jamiekoufman.com/understanding-post-nasal-drip-and-respiratory-reflux-your-complete-treatment-guide/ . If it is LPR, a low acid, whole food diet may help. If it's not LPR, good luck finding a path forward.

Thanks--I'll check out the link you provided. Ever since I had a stomach ulcer, I've avoided acidic foods as much as possible. I eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole wheat breads etc. I'm not a big meat eater and eat more chicken than beef, pork, or lamb. We often will include fish and vegetarian meals in our weekly meals too. I was never a big lover of spicy foods so I avoid many of those type of cuisines. I can handle mild spice but not the super hot stuff. Cheese and yogurt are routinely part of my diet. I'm not a big alcohol consumer but will have some wine with certain meals. Thanks again for the info. Oh, and I only use Tylenol now if I need a pain killer--my stomach cannot handle ASA, etc.