I cannot clear my throat; feels like mucus is there. Suggestions?

Posted by muffincat1 @muffincat1, Mar 10, 2021

I have been to doctors and tried everything had my throat checked by doctors. nothing works it is driving me and my family nuts.

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

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

REPLY
@mileyan25

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

Jump to this post

Are you taking any medication that has a side effect of trouble swallowing?

REPLY
@mileyan25

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

Jump to this post

I have either chronic Lyme or long covid. For past 2 years I have constant runny nose and mucus every am for about 1/2 hour then pretty much mucus free rest of day. Diet does change this and the supplements I take change frequently. I have joined long covid study. If I learn anything about mucus I will post here.

REPLY
@mileyan25

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

Jump to this post

You wrote, "One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause?"
This could be a clue! Swollen adenoids can be a sign of a chronic infection. Have you seen your dentist? Is it possible that the impacted tooth may be infected?

As for allergy tests, not every substance to which you could be allergic are necessarily included in the tests. There may be something in your house or car causing the irritation - think carpets, which harbor traces of everything that ever contacted them, pets - either current or past, scents in household and/or cosmetic products.

Finally, if you or any of your friends vape or smoke, tobacco or otherwise, that could be the clue as well.

Does any of this offer a clue?
Sue

One final

REPLY
@mileyan25

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

Jump to this post

I am curious, if you are employed what line of work are you performing? Occupational exposure/sensitivity (from out working say on a farm or whatnot) are not unheard of. Until you can touch bases with your dentist you might consider adding a little lemon juice to your water (if your stomach can tolerate it) to help cut down on bacteria growth. A sibling's dentist recommended that after a dental procedure, so I don't see the harm in doing that prophylactically.

REPLY
@mileyan25

I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now. My earliest recollection of it is Easter (April 4th I think) of 2021, and it just hasn't gone away. I've seen a bunch of doctors for it, got tested for food allergies and environmental allergies using both a scratch and an intradermal test in May/June of this year and everything came back negative. I also did reflux treatments and nothing changed. I had a CT scan done on July 1st which showed, according to my ENT, that my nasal passageways were draining properly and that there was no infection.

Also, I noticed the mucus feeling prior to my adenoids being swollen but it's just weird since all allergy testing came back negative and except for the throat and some sinus pressure every now and then I feel completely normal. I'm pretty sure I had a sinus infection in February 2021, two months prior to the throat thing, but I can't see how I would still be dealing with complications from it. I also feel no congestion in my nose whatsoever, and I've been taking fluticasone propionate and azelastine for the past month and a half and haven't noticed any changes yet.

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a dental issue? One of my wisdom teeth is impacted I think (pain comes and goes over weeks) so could that be a cause? Thank you!

Jump to this post

Hi @mileyan25, I hope you’ve seen the helpful posts you’ve received from fellow members. I agree with @sueinmn that a dental appointment and a follow up with your ENT are good places to start.

I have moved your message to the ENT support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ear-nose-throat-conditions/ so that you can connect with others who have had similar experiences or who may be able to provide insights. Might any of these related discussions seem related to your issue?

- Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/continued-post-nasal-drip-and-constant-mucus-in-throat/
- Mucus in throat but lungs and sinuses clear https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mucus-in-throat-but-lungs-and-sinuses-clear/
- Large amounts of mucus in throat https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-amounts-of-mucus-in-throat/

REPLY
@mikaylar

Are you taking any medication that has a side effect of trouble swallowing?

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Hi, thank you for your response! No, I only started taking medication after the throat issue began, which was originally omeprazole, and now I take azelastine and fluticasone.

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@linh

I am curious, if you are employed what line of work are you performing? Occupational exposure/sensitivity (from out working say on a farm or whatnot) are not unheard of. Until you can touch bases with your dentist you might consider adding a little lemon juice to your water (if your stomach can tolerate it) to help cut down on bacteria growth. A sibling's dentist recommended that after a dental procedure, so I don't see the harm in doing that prophylactically.

Jump to this post

Hi, I'm a full-time student who's away for the summer, so I'm currently not working. When I am away for school though, I work at the front desk in one of our dorms. Alright, will try! Thank you.

REPLY
@dan1940

I have either chronic Lyme or long covid. For past 2 years I have constant runny nose and mucus every am for about 1/2 hour then pretty much mucus free rest of day. Diet does change this and the supplements I take change frequently. I have joined long covid study. If I learn anything about mucus I will post here.

Jump to this post

Hi, thank you! 🙂 What diet changes have you made?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @mileyan25, I hope you’ve seen the helpful posts you’ve received from fellow members. I agree with @sueinmn that a dental appointment and a follow up with your ENT are good places to start.

I have moved your message to the ENT support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ear-nose-throat-conditions/ so that you can connect with others who have had similar experiences or who may be able to provide insights. Might any of these related discussions seem related to your issue?

- Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/continued-post-nasal-drip-and-constant-mucus-in-throat/
- Mucus in throat but lungs and sinuses clear https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mucus-in-throat-but-lungs-and-sinuses-clear/
- Large amounts of mucus in throat https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-amounts-of-mucus-in-throat/

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
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