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Chronic Phlegm Collecting in my throat, I constantly have to swallow
I had a bad case of what the doctors said was bronchitis March 2025, almost a year ago, and as of Jan 2026, I am still dealing with mucus in my throat. Although they did say that without a scope, they could not be sure. It is best described as a sticky mess right where I swallow and constantly has to be cleared, but rarely is any mucus produced up, just swallowed. Here is the timeline. In March 2025 the sore throat started and then a cough. After about a week, I went to the clinic and they said it was going around. The cough became worse and it became really bad and constant. After several more trips to the clinic and a chest x-ray, (unremarkable), we tried some different meds with no results. After about two months I improved, but still had an occasional cough and just lived with it. In Nov 2025 the phlegm in my throat became worse so I went several more times to the clinic. They had me go two weeks off of Lisinopril, then Prilosec for two months, and Mucinex for a week with no change. I can't describe it as a cough anymore, just having to clear the mucus from my throat where I swallow very often durning the day. It feels like a sticky mess right where I swallow.
68 year old male, never smoked, 160 pounds, never short of breath, regular exercise.
I am looking for ideas and others that have had this. Thanks.
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@palomin01
I was prescribed this med 3 months ago
Worked like a charm
But now I’m back to the start
Of constant runny nose (clear water) and a feeling of a clogged throat daily
A dr is telling me it’s possible an environmental allergy ?
I’m so confused
I’ve had this for yrs only getting worse
Every dr says the same you have Gerd or silent reflux !!
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1 Reaction@palomin01
Spoke with my Mayo PCP and he said that nerve is the Vagus (spell) nerve. I have heard about this nerve but did not know it ran through throat.
Yes, i believe that is what is causing all my issues... now to find a ENT that will treat the problem..
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2 Reactions@dungeness
Have had this condition ever since I had bad case of flu about 30 years ago. Also started with "worst cough" ever for about 6 weeks that then subsided and have had this mucus ever since!! Comes and goes depending on pollutants in food and air, but never disappears entirely. Also do not have nasal drip down back of throat. Definitely think you're right that this is lingering side effect of bad flu virus. Perhaps immune cells that never totally tamp down due to ever present pollutants?? Salt water rinse helps but only temporarily, and need to stick to organic diet or gets even worse. Note: have had flu only once in last 50 years. Very healthy otherwise.
Here is what i would suggest: see the ENT and ask for a nasal endoscopy. That is done right in the office, no sedation and the doctor can take a look at your throat. I would continue to hydrate especially sipping warm liquids. . Suggest trying Flonase which is over the counter and could help if allergy related. Another question to answer is the mucus clear and sticky or green and thick? Is it worse when you wake up and get out of bed? Saline nose spray might help as well. Hope something works for you!
Madison, that sounds like what I have. It started over a year ago with a very bad cough which lasted months. I was very hoarse and could barely talk for a week or two. Then the cough subsided and in six months things were better. The said it was probably a bad case of bronchitis. Last fall the sticky throat started and has not gone away. Sometimes worse, sometimes not so bad. I had a referral to an ENT and when I called them and told them all the things I tried, they said no use in going there so they referred me to a throat specialist which was a long way away so I'm still thinking about it. So Deb, when they scoped your throat, what did they find and what did they recommend?
I wouldn't recommend an ENT! Seek a larger teaching Medical Center with experienced physicians ie Mayo, Cleveland Clinic. Traveling is a pain but well worth it to get quality expertise. Also checkout the physicians cv - where they went to medical school, did residency and fellowship. I just have not had good experiences with ENT nor friends that have either. Always fact check and get 2nd and even 3rd opinion for any treatment plans.
Since some of the comments mention silent reflux and the vagus nerve, I would suggest you check out the blogs of an ENT at jamiekoufman.com. She writes about reflux and its symptoms (which include what you exhibit) and the vagus nerve and has suggestions on how to address it.
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3 ReactionsAfter bad case of flu about 30 years ago I had cough for about 6 weeks then after that constant mucus in throat. Still have it! Amount ebbs and flows but never disappears. Nothing helps, though it gets worse if I go off of an organic diet or enter places with high pollution. Gargling warm salt water brings temporary relief only. I believe it's immune cells from flu that have never resolved and because pollution is ever present, the immune cells don't disappear. (There may be other reasons, too, why these cells remain.) My neck lymph nodes are always enlarged. Too bad you went through all those other treatments, as docs don't seem to realize that this is an immune reaction from a virus that has failed to resolve.
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1 ReactionI have been suffering with this condition for an excess of 4 years. I went to see an ENT and even though I explained my condition, I don't believe she listened and I underwent surgery for a deviated septum.
I am still suffering - with the same symptoms you are all describing and at times, I am chronic.
After continuing to see the ENT for a year, she has placed me on 25mg Amitriptyline I take daily and Esomeprazole 20g that assists - but not effective every day. Her recommendation is for me to see a neurologist as she believes its caused by nerve endings in the area.
I have cut out alcohol, dairy and sugar from my diet as I believe dairy worsens the condition. Sometimes I believe that pollens and grasses also affect me.
I have a world of sinus sprays ( Dymista Allergy is the most effective), saline solutions and throat lozenges' in my bedside table and at work. I find sleeping with my head elevated and with lozenges' in my mouth to stop the constant swallowing helps. Also multiple Ventolin sprays, and the constant use of FLO.
Yoga and breathing exercise also appear to be helping.
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