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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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@sbmcadam
I had and still have but to a lot lessor degree your symptoms. I found my PCP a lot more helpful with this.
What I was told was the Vegas nerve can be over sensitive and cause additional mucus to form in throat. Usually this is around eating time. But that mucus can stay with you. What I found helped was to sit up when you eat, eat smaller meals, and watch for triggers.
I wish I could tell you exactly what helped me but I went from coughing up phlegm with coughing and coughing to maybe a single cough up of phlegm.
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1 Reaction@sbmcadam try sauteing one diced onion in olive oil or butter until translucent (about 4-5 minutes) then add that onion to any kind of food and eat that food or eat onion without adding to food. see if you get at least some relief.
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2 Reactionsi have same problem, which started after a bout of flu several years ago. i get some relief from sauteing a diced onion in olive oil or butter until translucent (about 4-5 minutes), then adding onion to food or eating just plain onion. it does give some relief, especially if repeated every day. please let me know if you try this.
try sauteing a diced onion in olive oil or butter until translucent (about 4-5 minutes) then adding to food or eat cooked onion by itself. should give some relief, especially if done every day. please let me know if it does help.
@jc76 Hello, what are some things for relief?
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1 ReactionHello, my mother who is 82 she had a surgery that was suppose to help with this. An actual ENT. He performed surgery, He actually made things VERY worse. This surgery was done over 5 years ago and with her age now , and existing other medical issues this has become very taxing and she has quit doing things for fear of having a coughing trigger. When she went bsck to the doctor explaining she had no relief. The doctor that had done the surgery messed up....actually did too much and caused her nose and face to look like she had an accident and no relief but more severe to the point of having to carry trash bag with her where ever she goes to put her box of Kleenex she goes through each time she has a spell. Her life has become miserable, fear of going anywhere. She is not an introvert she is the exact opposite so her quality of life has been stunted. Does anyone have any suggestions for drying some of this mucus so she can enjoy this time in her life too.
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1 Reaction@mimiclouse
For me what has helped. I chew my food very fine. I try to sit straight up while eating. I keep my meals smaller. Sometimes drinking a think liquid will quiet the area for me.
If this does not help you can use nasal inhalers that dry up the sinuses. The key here is that the Vagus nerve signals the throat and sinuses to create more phlegm.
I was told by my PCP that I have an over sensitive Vagus nerve in this area of my throat. Just knowing that has helped me.
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2 ReactionsAfter 6 doctors i got Ipratropium bromide generic spray that shuts down sinus drip.
Helps alot. So furious doctors dont know about this long used drug for help with the drip that drives every one away. It is now this generic only and cheap
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2 Reactions@alenef
The Ipratropium nasal spray has been out many years. I had it prescribed to me by ENT a long time ago. For me it made me too dry so rarely use it.
@jc76 I'm on board with vagus nerve. In 1990 I was exposed to an unknown toxin in the AF. Since then, all sorts of health and nerve problems. 23 years later learned what it most likely was. I believe my vagus nerve is in a constant state of overdrive. One thing I've suffered with since is chronic overproduction of mucous. Even at night when I lay down in bed, long after any meal. Also first thing in the morning spending up to 20 minutes to cough up yuck. I've learned to manage to some.degree but never any real resolve and frankly any and all doctor's have been useless. What happened to me changed my life forever. It is what it is, I do the best with natural.remedies and have had more relief from that than allopathic meds.
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