1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

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.

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buckeye83 | @buckeye83 | Aug 11, 2022
In reply to @mileyan25 "I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now...." + (show)
@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!

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I believe I have nonallergic rhinitis, after the allergy and hearing tests came out negative. Interestingly, they still don't understand it much as far as I can tell. The mucus sticks to the back of the throat but I have no other issues such as swollen glands. I am scheduled for a ClariFix treatment soon, will let you know how it goes.

REPLY
1 reply
med08 | @med08 | Aug 12, 2022
In reply to @buckeye83 "I believe I have nonallergic rhinitis, after the allergy and hearing tests came out negative. Interestingly,..." + (show)
@buckeye83

I believe I have nonallergic rhinitis, after the allergy and hearing tests came out negative. Interestingly, they still don't understand it much as far as I can tell. The mucus sticks to the back of the throat but I have no other issues such as swollen glands. I am scheduled for a ClariFix treatment soon, will let you know how it goes.

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What is a ClariFix treatment? I have the same issues.

REPLY
buckeye83 | @buckeye83 | Aug 12, 2022
In reply to @mileyan25 "I've been feeling excess mucus in the back of my throat for over a year now...." + (show)
@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

ClariFix is a therapy where they freeze/shock the mucus bringing vein at the inner back of the nose using liquid nitrogen. It's about 15 to 20 mins procedure done under local anesthesia. VivAer is similar but using Radio Frequency. That's also a newer technology. In VivAer, they trace the veins on the turbinates themselves - in my understanding. It also takes about 15 mins each side without a brain freeze pain which can happen with ClariFix. If I hadn't had inferior turbinate reduction already, I may have preferred the latter. Both target the same problem. Best wishes

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hihihihi | @hihihihi | Aug 13, 2022
In reply to @juleszs "This is @juleszs--- I have a condition that has lasted about 1 and 1/2 years. I..." + (show)
@juleszs

This is @juleszs--- I have a condition that has lasted about 1 and 1/2 years. I feel like I have phlegm in my throat but I can not bring it up. I have been scoped 4 times by an ENT doctor I have tried GERD meds. I have been to an allergy doctor. He tried asthma meds. Nothing helps.
This condition goes away when I sleep. As soon as I move around in the morning the congestion returns and stays with me all day---it feels like there is a lump in my throat.
Background ------ In January, 2020 I had neck surgery----- C 4/5. Maybe the breathing tube nicked my throat. This condition started just after the surgery. However-- I have had this condition twice before in the 27 years that I have lived in Florida. But it has gone away in due time. Now it is here to stay.
Please comment!

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i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad and i dont know what's going on. it WONT clear. I TRY TEA HONEY COUGH DROPS NOTHINGGGG WORKS.

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 13, 2022
In reply to @hihihihi "i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad..." + (show)
@hihihihi

i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad and i dont know what's going on. it WONT clear. I TRY TEA HONEY COUGH DROPS NOTHINGGGG WORKS.

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Welcome @hihihihi, That's an awful feeling when a persons is unable to clear their throat and nothing seems to work. It sounds like you may have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). You might find the following discussion helpful where other members have shared their experience and possible solutions that help.

-- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/self-diagnosed-laryngopharangeal-reflux/

Have you discussed your symptoms with your doctor or seen an ENT specialist?

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buckeye83 | @buckeye83 | Aug 14, 2022
In reply to @hihihihi "i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad..." + (show)
@hihihihi

i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad and i dont know what's going on. it WONT clear. I TRY TEA HONEY COUGH DROPS NOTHINGGGG WORKS.

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Very sorry to hear about your problem. While you work on getting to see a doctor or an ENT specialist, I would drink a lot of water to dilute the mucus and try to rest with pillows support to keep your head up. Not knowing if you have an allergic reaction or not, that's the best I can say. I also have a lot of mucus in my throat & the procedure is still 8 days away. Wish there was an easier way out, best wishes though

REPLY
buckeye83 | @buckeye83 | Aug 14, 2022
In reply to @hihihihi "i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad..." + (show)
@hihihihi

i don't know but i need to clear my throat like every minute. im getting mad and i dont know what's going on. it WONT clear. I TRY TEA HONEY COUGH DROPS NOTHINGGGG WORKS.

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I would also do gorggles with salty water. Works better than tea for me

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1 reply
oldkarl | @oldkarl | Aug 15, 2022

The only medicine I know that is affordable almost always works for mucus has about 400 of guafenisin in it. Many brands and formulae are available everywhere, inexpensive. I take 400 about every 4-6 hours. oldkarl

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fab44 | @fab44 | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @buckeye83 "I would also do gorggles with salty water. Works better than tea for me" + (show)
@buckeye83

I would also do gorggles with salty water. Works better than tea for me

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I have the same problem of mucus in my throat and not being able to clear it. I have used everything available but nothing seems to work for me. It is worse in the evening when my throat is locked up with drainage. I use a vaporizer before going to bed and it helps loosen it up so I can go to sleep. Sometimes I have to use it twice. I feel like I am chocking and will wear out my throat with all of the clearing. I have been to an ENT Dr. without success and am going to another for a second opinion. If anyone has a recommendation for a highly rated ENT Dr. I would appreciate it! I also use Neti Pot, and humidifier at night without much success.
Good luck!

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1 reply
fab44 | @fab44 | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "I doubt the water in your ears contributes. If you see my notes above, you will..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I doubt the water in your ears contributes. If you see my notes above, you will see the mucinex helps. But one thing people forget to do in winter is to stay well hydrated because we are not sweating, so we don't feel thirsty. Do whatever works to remind yourself to drink more water, herbal tea, flavored but unsweetened waters. My Mom used to drink water with a squeeze of citrus juice in it.

Also, if you don't have lung problems, you can use the old-time trick - inhale over a basin of steamy hot water (with a towel over your head to keep the steam in. DOUBLE bonus - when you finish, massage lotion into your moist skin - it will soothe winter dryness.
Sue

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I have used GUAIFENESIN extended-release 1200 mg and on the box it states (in bold print); "Do not use for more than 7 days"! Anyone else see this?

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