Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat

I have used Mucinex LA 600mg (the all guaifenesin version - no decongestant or cough suppressant) for 35 years without any bad effect. It thins the mucus and other secretions in my system, which tend to have a very sticky consistency. Before using it, I averaged 10 or more ear or sinus infections each year, as well as having a chronic cough. In 35 years, I have had fewer than 10 (total) ear or sinus infections. It also helps me be able to clear mucus from my lungs caused by a lung disease call bronchiectasis. This has helped keep mu lungs free of the infections that plague "Bronch" people - which means no long courses of antibiotics.
I am curious why your NP suggested you stop - were you taking a version that contained other medicines such as decongestants that are meant for only short-term use?
Sue

I was using just the normal extra strength version with no cough suppressant or decongestant. She said it wasn’t meant for long term use. That’s all she said.

All the literature I can find seems to indicate that guaifenesin is safe for long term use. In fact, it is considered by ENT and pulmonary docs to be a first-line treatment for chronic sinusitis and chronic bronchitis.
Did it seem to help you? If so, it seems like maybe you need another conversation with your NP, or a referral to an ENT for another look.
Sue

I used to smoke for 30 years and stopped smoking about 30 years back. While I used to smoke I would always have a runny nose and intermittant cough. Since I stopped smoking the conditions improved gradually. Now only the mucus accumulates in the throat. I take intermittant sips of water and that helps.
I have a feeling that accumulation of cough in the throat is nature's way to prevent infection in the throat.

hello,
male 43 yo. otherwise in good health. never smoked.
about 12 months ago, I have been exposed repently to a high temperature change (from a 18° when I was abroad, to 30° back in my country). At the same time, I got covid.
those days, I sarted experimenting post nasal drip: mucus from the back of the nose that goes down to throat. From there, never passed completely. I still daily, experiment this.
I noticed that it gets worse, as even before
- when exposed to humid cold.
- when eating HOT food (hot milk, even pasta)
but now, something more completely new to me, it gets worse:
- when eating SUGARS, even sweet fruit (apples)
- Ice creams are the thing that get me the worst.(in fact they are sweet cold and humid)

But, oddly enough, NOT when eating sugar melt in a cup of water...

But even trying to avoid sugar and all of the above, the post nasal drip isn't completely gone, and in any case I start eating again those foods, it gets worse again.

I tried also to replace milk with soy milk or coconut milk, but sill I have the problem.

oddly, the sun, that always makes go away the post nasal drip when I had flue... does nothing at all in this case.

The specialist of ears/nose/throat who visited me, gave me some steroids nasal spray (Beclomethasone) to do for one month and repeat when neessary, but I had no benefits at all.

I was reading too that there is a "turbinate hypertrophy" that can be caused by high temperature change (like happened to me) and that causes post nasal drip, among the other things, but the doctors who visited me didnt tell me I had that. Moreover, it should cause problem to respiration, that I dont think I have.

Searching the web, some say that persistent post nasal drip may be caused by fungus, that live with sugars, and suggest to avoid sugars and eat cold liver oil, that boost immunitary system and is fungicide. but still I have the problem.

Has anyone had long term post nasal drip, after sudden temperature change/covid? or that get worse eating sugar?
and how did you solved it?

thank you!!!

I kind of go with Occum's Razor and would look for the most common causes of stuff and exhaust those before looking at the less likely or sheerly anecdotal. I suspect that many people have experienced something similar caused by any number of things including allergies, pollutants, colds, etc. There are over-the-counter decongestants that help slow the production of mucus or dry it out. The only one that works for me is pseudophedrine hydrochloride. No prescription is required but you have to buy it at a pharmacy as it's sale is restricted because fools use it to make crystal meth. (I've never had any luck with the steroid nasal sprays.)

Yes, I know it exactly what you are saying…and I’ve tried everything just as you have and so far nothing has worked. I’ve seen my PC and my ENT. My ENT wants to trying a procedure that freezes the nerves at the back of the nose. I haven’t agreed to do it as it only last 2-3 years and I feel it will be the same end result…semi-working for a short time, if at all, and it has a cost prohibitive out of pocket expense for me. My ENT is excellent and I trust him, I had a brain tumor in 2018 & he did the opening & closing for the neurosurgeon, and he also performed a nasal balloon dilation before I had Covid due to repeated sinus infections, both procedures were successful. But this drainage feels different than anything I’ve ever encountered, if I sit or stand with my head bent down (cooking, reading etc.) I have to have Kleenex handy. I’ve worked at not sniffing, blowing or wiping constantly by trying to get the mucus to drain down my throat. This is just one of the many Long Hauler symptoms I have had to deal with daily since November/December 2020. Wish I had a simple “cure” to share with you but I don’t. All I can offer is understanding and encourage you to keep searching for solutions that hopefully will come someday. Hang tough, stay positive, as bad as it can get remember we are lucky, we survived Covid and we can’t quit now.

I don't know if this will help, or even apply, but I had the Vivaer procedure done three years ago to make breathing a tad easier. It uses radio-frequency to "remodel" nasal tissue and open airways without surgery or an cosmetic changes in appearance. It helped me breeze through (no pun intended) allergy season. The company that created Vivaer was, at the time, developing a protocol to help alleviate post-nasal drip problems.

I use Allegra D for mucous dripping down back of throat. It helps with that and clearing my head.

I use Allegra D to help stop mucous dripping down my throat. It also helps clear my head.