Connect
Excessive Phlegm: How to solve?
I have to seen three doctors in the past two years. Two of them were my PCP's. the other was a ENT specialist. The PCP's recommended otc drugs which were not effective enough. The specialist did not listen properly to my complaint of excessive phlem in my throat because I mentioned that I believe this condition has effected my hearing. So he talked me into getting a hearing test which resulted in me purchasing hearing aids. This did not solve my phlem problem.
I am a 85 year old male and my problem started about 2 to 2.5 years ago. I asked my second PCP about taking a sample of my phlem to send to a lab for diagnosis and he stated he does not take samples.
Well if it's an allergy that causing my problem, then why did my PCP refuse to take a sample. I am looking for a solution to my problem and not a continous treatment with drugs.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.
Connect
@ronmalcolm1
You may have sinusitis. CT scan will show.
Try over the counter allergy meds.
Drink 48 oz water per day room temp.
Guaenefesin is aOTC medicine. Get 1600 time release. Also Halls cough drops ‘Soothe’ choice. They work in minutes to thin secretions.thin secretions.
@alenef
Hi. Not true for me. I’ve had 6-8 glasses of water a day forever, no change in phlegm situation. Hydrating is great but I don’t think it’s the solution. Nasal irrigation as suggested is helpful.
Chronic excessive throat phlegm lasting 2–2.5 years can be very frustrating and many people in your situation feel discouraged when treatments only temporarily reduce symptoms without identifying the underlying cause, but while allergies are one possible explanation, persistent mucus in an 85-year-old can also come from conditions such as postnasal drip, chronic sinus inflammation, silent acid reflux (LPR), medication side effects, swallowing changes, dehydration, chronic airway irritation or even throat muscle dysfunction, which is why doctors do not always send phlegm samples to a lab unless they suspect infection, because mucus testing often does not clearly diagnose allergies or chronic irritation problems, although given how long this has been affecting you and the fact that OTC medications have not helped enough, many people eventually benefit from a more thorough ENT evaluation with laryngoscopy, allergy testing, sinus evaluation or reflux assessment to look for a more specific explanation rather than continuing endless symptom treatment alone.
@wendymb what do you use? How often? How does it work? Do you know? Thanks. Ill try anything
@alenef hi. I use Neilmed every evening. You can get a big 250 packet kit including the nasal rinse bottle at Costco. My pcp and allergist and speech therapist ( for LPR) all recommend it. Can use it 2-3 or more times a day. Totally natural. I also use Xyzal (if you have allergies) and Gaviscon Advance nightly which blocks acid from rising.