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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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@leehowder98
Try using a soft toothbrush and rotate around each tooth with salt or baking soda lukewarm water. And swish and spit the excess.
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1 Reaction@zenren14 They have me on Glucerna 1.5 three times aday.. My throat seems to be fine except for some water backwash back to my soft palate and out my nose. Upper mouth and gums become blistered now and then. This is after radiation 4 1/2 years ago..Rediculous. The soft palate is a bit shorter now after surgery so that's the only problem I have for swallowing normally. Plus the build-up of mucus above the palate 24/7 that continually has to be hacked out so I can spit it out. I hope that clears up soon. And of course no saliva.
@gareee314
Sometimes, dealing with side-effects can be a real drag. It leads to sheer misery at times.
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2 Reactions@jc76 After extensive investigations by ENT and GI for potential reflux and post nasal drip, i was also told that it could be nerve related having found no other cause - having tried the various saline sprays and omeprazole nothing has made a difference. However with new research about our gut and brain biomes being linked, i have also discovered that the nasal biome and gut biome are also linked and so i decided to do a 'gut reset' cutting out gluten, dairy and other possible irritants (i have no known allergies) - and i started to take L glutemin powder in water first thing in the morning and B12 once a day and magnesium glycinate before bed and did 4 sessions of acupuncture - an ancient practice that has understood for thousands of years that we must treat the body in a more holistic way. I can honestly say that for first time in over 10 years of relentless and excessive thick phlegm this regime has greatly helped to reduce my phlegm production - by chance i have also found that the cheapest of ingredients CLOVES has greatly helped to alleviate the phlegm when i have a flare up - i go to bed sucking on one or two cloves at night and carry them around in my bag for whenever i feel the phlegm rising in my throat during the day. I hope this helps as I have found it so debilitating over the years and so very difficult to explain to others how it impacts on your life both day and night.