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Every day I cough up what looks like a scab with ugly mucous and blood
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Dec 4 7:51pm | Replies (391)Comment receiving replies
Does anyone have a deviated septum that may be causing this problem? Seems to be what my ENTs have come up with. They really don’t know what the cause is, but feel as tho fixing the septum will hep matters. I can’t help but wonder if these scab-like-things are lodging there. Also, before it dislodges…is it very painful for anyone else??
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@hsconz About 2 years ago, I had surgery for a deviated septum and adneoidectomy, in an effort to help the problem with drainage and scab formation in the nasopharnyx. They also cleared a bone spur at the top of my nose. During the adenoidectomy, they burned the area of infection and washed it with an antibiotic rinse. It seemed to help for a while, but a few months later, I had covid and it came back.
Although I am now able to breathe better / more freely after the surgery, I still have the drainage and scab formation. There are times where I can take out the scab on a daily basis. It is on the back of my throat, above my mouth and a little below my nose - I can reach it with my fingers and get it.
Before it dislodes, I wouldn't say it's painful, just annoying. I can definitely feel it as it's growing and it becomes uncomfortable as it's dislodging. I hate the feeling of it sliding down my throat, so that's why I take it out myself.
I went to the University of Chicago for my surgery and the doctor was stumped when he saw it and it seemed like a best educated guess for suggesting the surgery. They have since recommended an mri with dye, but from reading other's experiences here, they have not found answers with that so I haven't gone through with it. Their recommendation was for a scan of the front of the sinuses - I don't think that's it. I do have bad headaches behind my left eye (especially with the change in weather) where the drainage seems to get worse. I wonder if it could be associated with the sphenoid sinus?
My local ENT basically said he has no idea what to try next. They've prescribed all the antibiotics I can have to no avail (it is staph positive, although I hear many people are staph positive in their throat but with no symptoms, so I'm not sure that's the issue). I was thoroughly tested for allergies with no significant findings. Other than the drainage, my facial sinuses feel rather clear - there is no pressure or feeling they are full on the front of my face.
I've been following this chat board off an on for a few years and it's disheartening there are so many people dealing with this with no answer about what is causing it or how to effectively treat it.