Every day I cough up what looks like a scab with ugly mucous and blood

Hi everyone!!! As I still try to search for answers as to why we all have this, some things else popped in my head. Before I ask them though, I should mention that I did suffer from Mold Poisoning a few years ago. So what I’m also wondering…I have a bird. I wonder if dander can contribute to this. What I’m really wondering though is…if anyone else takes Zoloft or perhaps a medication that might include some of the same ingredients. It seems I start to feel the dryness in my throat almost immediately upon taking it now (and I have been on it for a few years). Interested to know.

Hello! I just found this thread today & created an account so I could comment. I’m wondering if what I’m experiencing is the same or at least similar to others here. I’ve read through the whole thread and it sounds like the chief complaint is having to dislodge/hack out a scab from the adenoid area every couple of days. I also seem to have a mucus-y clump that dislodges every week or so, but usually it’s relatively small and I can’t cough it out of my mouth— it just goes down my throat. In case anyone can bear to read a long story, I’ll explain my situation from the beginning.
On a day in late October 2020, I was out and about and suddenly felt like I was having a hard time getting air— almost like I was congested. I thought it might be Covid so I went to my physician and was tested and it came back negative. Because it wasn’t Covid they thought it might be heart burn, so I tried taking heart burn medication which didn’t relieve the breathing issue. After 2 more visits to my physician, some blood work, and a chest X-ray later, my physician said she thought it might be anxiety and that I should consider taking medication for it. I felt like my physician was wrong, so I visited an ENT (April 2021). My ENT used a laryngoscope to look into my nose and she said she was seeing adenoid hypertrophy and nasal turbinate hypertrophy. She believed I had an adenoid infection. She prescribed an antibiotic (clarithromycin), an antibiotic ointment (mupirocin), an antihistamine (azelastine), Flonase, Claritin, and a daily nasal saline rinse (NeilMed). I didn’t think my issues were allergy-related because I’ve never had allergies, so I didn’t take the Flonase or Claritin. I did use the other things prescribed, but nothing fully resolved my issue. I went back to the ENT (June 2021) a couple months later and she once again used a laryngoscope and saw minor improvements in the adenoid and turbinate hypertrophy, but there were still there. She also dislodged a mucus clump with the scope during the visit. She suggested I visit an allergist to see if allergies were the cause. I followed her recommendation to see the allergist and it came back with zero allergies. I also did a lung function test which came up clear as well. The ENT mentioned that if I was still having problems in 3-4 months, that I should visit her for an adenoidectomy. I’m pretty opposed to having surgery for something that I don’t even know what the problem is, so I haven’t gone back.
Since my last ENT visit in 2021, I haven’t seen anyone for the issue. Day to day, I’ve gotten used to the feeling of mild congestion and find myself swallowing a mucus clump that comes from my adenoid area about once every one to two weeks. Whenever I’m getting the mucus clump, I have little red dots on the roof of my mouth. I also have started to have minor headaches from time to time or just twinges of head pain pretty much daily. I’ve started to just feel generally unwell. My symptoms seem to improve and get worse and then improve again and the cycle continues. I’m considering seeing another ENT because I really want to figure it out once and for all.
I’m not sure if my symptoms line up exactly with what people here are experiencing, but I’ve never heard anyone talk about the mucus-y clump before so I thought it might be similar.

Welcome @triedntrue. I agree that your situation sounds similar to the others who have posted here, especially @bblank0025's post from Mayo 13. I'm sure members like @needtoknow @am31 @searchingforrelief @noblelife will also understand what you're dealing with and your search for answers.

I think @nrd1 would agree with you to consider your options carefully before choosing surgery. There may be oher less invasive approaches to try first.

Did you ever retest for Covid? I know you said that you don't have a history of allergies, but might that be something to explore in case you've developed allergies?

Hi @colleenyoung, thanks for your reply. I retested for Covid many times and was never positive. Also, as I stated in my original post, I did visit the allergist and did a whole panel— it came back with zero allergies.

Yes @triedntrue it sounds very similar. I also just tested for allergies for the third time and have none. I almost feel like this is a mechanical issue because it sounds strange now when I “hock” for lack of a better word. I thought perhaps it could be dryness from night sweats or taking Zoloft. I was told it could be Laryngopharengal Reflux, but tests were done and it was ruled out. I did suffer from Mold Posioning about 6 years ago. I was very sick and bedridden for a year. The only other thing I can think of is that I feel as though I remember right before this began two years ago - something weird happened in my nose/throat that felt like a vacuum. That’s what makes me think something could’ve been damaged and why it may be mechanical. Ugh!! I just wish it would stop. My ENT thinks that correcting my deviated septum will help, but like you, I don’t want to get surgery for something that no one knows the cause of.

I have had this issues for years, seen about 10 different ENT, every one said I don’t know what it is.One offered a surgery not being sure if it will help. The last doctor proscribed me a compounding medicine Mometasone +Mupirocin. Two different medications (capsules).I have to use Neilmed bottle, destilled water, adding saline packet, adding both medications and do nasal rinse. My insurance doesn’t cover compounding medications and I pay out of pocket. It is not cheep, cost me $300 a month.But so far I’m using it for a month and haven’t have 1 scab. Before I was having a scab a day. I still have the dry cough what bothering me, but my ENT is sending me to a different doctor to check if I have acid reflux (he said the symptoms of a dry cough sound like I have issues with acid reflux). I never have had issues with heartburn, will see. I have appointment in end of august. Will keep updated.

Hi
I have food allergies that they never test for, such as garlic, so it could be an untested allergy, or a result of GERD. I did the elimination diet to find that. For my orange tongue I saw many doctors, with no real answers. So, I understand your frustration. Has anyone suggested a Naturopath or functional doctor? They have a tendency to see answers where other doctors do not look. I hope you all find answers soon.

Thanks for your reply. I looked back on what I was tested for allergies and it’s all environmental (trees, plants, pet hair, dust, mold, etc.) so I suppose it could be food related. Although I would think I my body would respond to an antihistamine in that case. I’ll definitely think about an elimination diet.
I have been wanting to see a naturopath/functional medicine doctor but haven’t yet found one that I want to try and am a little hesitant as I’ve heard insurance may not cover visits/tests.

As to my garlic food allergy, I have been on allergy medication regime for decades and nothing had reduced the reaction, which in my opinion is worse than food poisoning, because I react to all food consumption for days afterwards. While on rhituximab my reaction was milder but still there.

The naturopaths are usually not covered, you can always talk to your primary care doctor to see if they would do the tests for the other doctor.

Glad to hear NeilMed has helped. Interesting, I also have found that saline solution in a spray can also works for me and makes nose cleaning a little easier. I’m convinced that this is a mechanical thing. Look at the anatomy of the sinuses, nose, throat. Mine, I think, starts with post nasal drip that sometimes gets stuck along the way and kind of dries/hardens. This is what I cough up because it’s no longer watery. I’m no doctor, I’m just a curious problem solver. Therefore, take what you will from my poor analysis. Btw, I started this journey by looking at anatomy pictures.