Mucus in throat, PPIs didn’t work, need advice.

Posted by canada2022 @canada2022, Aug 16, 2022

Hello
First time posting.
Been having really bad throat mucus,
and can’t get a resolution.
Apologies for the slightly long post, I want to make sure I put everything in.
My DR was still phone only so I couldn’t get any in person diagnosis.
Finally got a referral for an ENT appt,
he did a scope, said he saw “frothy mucus”, with no deviated septum, and put me on Pantaprozole and said to follow up in 2 months. At 2 months, no improvement, so I called back for a follow-up and the ENT office was closed and they never responded to my voice mails or messages. (!)
Turns out he just sent an email to my Dr suggesting an appt with a GERD specialist. My DR of almost 20 years had just left her practice and the new DR was going in, and was swamped due to taking over so it was months behind until l I was able to get an appt (phone only, still wasn’t doing in person).
Turns out the email was lost in the shuffle.
I also managed to get an allergist appt and everything came up clean, and he suggested non-allergenic rhinitis or GERD related.
So all that said and done, my GERD appt is not until January. Everyday I have what feels like a huge clog in my throat and it’s impacting my daily life. I bought a wedge pillow, gave up coffee, alcohol, gluten as well as dairy for 3 months and still no relief.
I hydrate all the time and drink chamomile tea just after dinner. It seems to get aggravated by anxiety (or other way around).
I’ve also tried a Neti pot, nasal rinses, and Flonase. The “head over boiling water with a towel over my head” seems to bring temporary relief though. I don’t have runny nose, watery eyes, coughing or sneezing, or chest congestion. I do have nasal congestion that seems to switch sides though. But the throat mucus is brutal, so I’m hoping I can get some advice on how to take it down a bit until at least my GERD appt in January. Cheers !

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Profile picture for deenie07 @deenie07

For 2 months I also have thick mucus in my throat, esp bad in the morning. I spit it out, mucus is clear or white. I do not have a cold, cough or nasal congestion. I use a netti pot and nasal spray in case allergies are the cause. Doesn’t really help, but after drinking lots of water, mucus thins and I can swallow although always lump in my throat. From my symptoms it sounds like a post nasal drip. Never had this problem before. Was wondering if the omeprazole I am taking every day could be the cause. I do have GERD which is why I take omeprazole. I really don’t understand why this started 2 months ago but that is when I started on omeprazole every day. Have appt with ENT soon.

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@deenie07
I have constant clearing of my throat and what feels like drainage that I can’t swallow down. I occasionally cough up thick white sputum. I started taking Gaviscon 2 chewable tablets before bed. It has definitely helped for whatever that may be worth!

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That does not sound like what I have. I have no congestion or drainage, just sticky mucus when I swallow. Just about all the time. Fisherman's Friends cough drops help for a while.

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Profile picture for jknoot25 @jknoot25

@deenie07
I have constant clearing of my throat and what feels like drainage that I can’t swallow down. I occasionally cough up thick white sputum. I started taking Gaviscon 2 chewable tablets before bed. It has definitely helped for whatever that may be worth!

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@jknoot25 thanks, will try gaviscon!

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Profile picture for dungeness @dungeness

That does not sound like what I have. I have no congestion or drainage, just sticky mucus when I swallow. Just about all the time. Fisherman's Friends cough drops help for a while.

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@dungeness thanks, I have no cold, no cough, no runny nose, little nasal congestion, yet every morning I have thick white mucus that I don’t want to swallow. I spit for a few hours. Gets better as day progresses. Maybe drinking lots of water thins the mucus so I can swallow it. Just getting tired of the whole routine. Over two months.

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I’d advise to swallow it.

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So sorry to hear of this condition you have. I , too, am dealing with GERD and it is starting to resolve. However, I've had the same issue and tried Mucinex DM with some relief. I've also been using Flonase and Claritin. It could be coming from a throat irritation vs infection based on your description. Quite honestly, I would work to get an appointment with a doctor sooner than January.

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Profile picture for deenie07 @deenie07

For 2 months I also have thick mucus in my throat, esp bad in the morning. I spit it out, mucus is clear or white. I do not have a cold, cough or nasal congestion. I use a netti pot and nasal spray in case allergies are the cause. Doesn’t really help, but after drinking lots of water, mucus thins and I can swallow although always lump in my throat. From my symptoms it sounds like a post nasal drip. Never had this problem before. Was wondering if the omeprazole I am taking every day could be the cause. I do have GERD which is why I take omeprazole. I really don’t understand why this started 2 months ago but that is when I started on omeprazole every day. Have appt with ENT soon.

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@deenie07 Let us know what they say. My issues started when I took a PPI.

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