1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
Profile picture for dungeness

Chronic Phlegm Collecting in my throat, I constantly have to swallow

Posted by dungeness @dungeness, Jan 25 11:18am

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

Profile picture for shandra
shandra | @shandra | 2 days ago
In reply to @jc76 "@bluesmanbill Regarding the nerve. It is the Vagus nerve. I runs from brain down to body..." + (show)
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@bluesmanbill
Regarding the nerve. It is the Vagus nerve. I runs from brain down to body and is quite active in things like this.

I was told by Mayo PCP that it was sensitive and reacting excessively to irritation and thus the developing of mucus.

When I was having tachycardia after eating this same nerve came up. Can't remember exactly but the nerve is responsible to what in your body gets the blood focus. when you eat it does there for digestion and can trigger VTAC episodes. A wonder for me as did not anything.

What I was told to do is limit my eating, Sit straight up. It did help with the tachycardia.

With the mucus in throat I think someone posted it got worse and triggered the increase when eating yogurt. I do remember eating yogurt and was at water aerobics and was constantly having to clear my throat.

I don't usually have issues in early morning but have kept a log now of what I eat and see it if contributes to the mucus. Right now I do know yogurt is a trigger.

Jump to this post

@jc76 not just yogurt all dairy affects me … even chocolate increases my mucus production

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | 1 day ago
In reply to @shandra "@jc76 not just yogurt all dairy affects me … even chocolate increases my mucus production" + (show)
Profile picture for shandra @shandra

@jc76 not just yogurt all dairy affects me … even chocolate increases my mucus production

Jump to this post

@shandra
I finding more things from others that seem to fit me as well. I will talk to my doctors about this as a source. I stopped doing the yogurt and it did help.

None of my doctors said anything about yogurt to help my symptoms. However over time I can definitely tell that some foods are contributing to the acid reflux and mucus in my throat.

I do eat some chocolate but found it contains caffeine and could be added to triggers for my heart tachycardia so I stopped that too.

REPLY
Profile picture for bluesmanbill
bluesmanbill | @bluesmanbill | 1 day ago
In reply to @jc76 "@bluesmanbill Regarding the nerve. It is the Vagus nerve. I runs from brain down to body..." + (show)
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@bluesmanbill
Regarding the nerve. It is the Vagus nerve. I runs from brain down to body and is quite active in things like this.

I was told by Mayo PCP that it was sensitive and reacting excessively to irritation and thus the developing of mucus.

When I was having tachycardia after eating this same nerve came up. Can't remember exactly but the nerve is responsible to what in your body gets the blood focus. when you eat it does there for digestion and can trigger VTAC episodes. A wonder for me as did not anything.

What I was told to do is limit my eating, Sit straight up. It did help with the tachycardia.

With the mucus in throat I think someone posted it got worse and triggered the increase when eating yogurt. I do remember eating yogurt and was at water aerobics and was constantly having to clear my throat.

I don't usually have issues in early morning but have kept a log now of what I eat and see it if contributes to the mucus. Right now I do know yogurt is a trigger.

Jump to this post

@jc76 Thanks for the info--I'm going to look into this further. There's got to be explanations and a means to help everyone going through these issues. I've spent many hours researching everything I came across hoping to find something (anything) that might be the answer; so every little bit might help to get there.

I also did not notice if my problem is worse after consuming yogurt but I'll defintely pay close attention to it now.

Thanks again,
Bill

REPLY
Profile picture for fever1
fever1 | @fever1 | 13 hours ago

Guaefenesin 600 or 1200 mgs 12 hr time release. Can work in an hour with 8-16 oz room temp water. Steer clear of cold water. OTC. Med.

REPLY
Profile picture for lightlifts
lightlifts | @lightlifts | 10 hours ago
In reply to @jc76 "@con123 Got the same advice from ENT. She said so much of this is caused by..." + (show)
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@con123
Got the same advice from ENT. She said so much of this is caused by silent GERD. It can affect the esophagus and the Vagus never than run though it to over react and cause the increased phlegm and mucus.

I go the same advice about eating. My ENT did suggest a acidic reduction company. I went on it and have purchased a gum you chew after meals.

I was and still am reluctant to go on prescription medications that reduce acid in stomach as take a lot of medications.

Jump to this post

@jc76
Can you tell me the gum you chew after meals and what is the “ acidic reducing company”? Thanks in advance!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @lightlifts "@jc76 Can you tell me the gum you chew after meals and what is the “..." + (show)
Profile picture for lightlifts @lightlifts

@jc76
Can you tell me the gum you chew after meals and what is the “ acidic reducing company”? Thanks in advance!

Jump to this post

@lightlifts
Of course. I got this product information from my ENT at Mayo.

REFLUXGOURMET. The web site is: refluxgourment.com
"Gum for reflux relief."

As you know what works for may not work for another. If you do get it check with your doctors first. There is another product that releases some type of liquid that spreads at top of stomach and prevents reflux from going up to esophagus.

I have been using the gum at night after the dinner meal and my last medication of the day.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.