Hey everyone,
I’ve been following this thread for well over a year - dealing with similar post-COVID phlegm and post-nasal drip issues, so I asked Grok AI to analyze this entire thread (all 105 pages) and come up with a fresh hypothesis and treatment ideas based on the patterns in our stories.
Its response - Vagus, trigeminal, glossopharyngeal polyneuropathy. Hypothesis in simple terms: COVID might damage key nerves in your head (vagus for throat/gut signals, trigeminal for face/sinus sensation, and glossopharyngeal for swallowing/throat feel). This creates overactive reflexes that mess up mucus balance in your throat and nose, leading to that constant “stuck” feeling—especially after eating or drinking. Makes sense why it takes so long to recover. Nerves are notoriously difficult to heal. Also somwehat explains increased migranes behind the eyes, anxiety, brain fog, and low energy.

Potential treatments (key ones from Grok’s protocol—always check with a doctor first):
• 60-hour water fast to kickstart healing.
• Switch to an anti-inflammatory keto diet (low carbs, high healthy fats) afterward.
• Supplements: 600mg R-alpha lipoic acid twice daily (For Nerve health), 600mg NAC twice daily, 500mg Vitamin C twice daily.
• Daily nerve stimulation: 30min vagus TENS on ear (25Hz, 250μs), 40-60min trigeminal TENS on forehead.
• Cold plunges in 50°F water for 10min, 3x/week.
• Wim Hof breathing: 40 breaths, 4 rounds every morning.

Bunch of other treatment ideas it had also...but you can ask any AI what potential treatments there would be for this polyneuropathy to tailor to your own needs.

Here is a link for you to read my initial query:
https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMg_f606e6ee-d03e-41a2-ba1e-a6a582d55f10
Grok thinks this could help repair nerves and reduce mucus over 6-18 months, but it’s theoretical—curious if anyone’s tried similar? Let’s discuss!