reflux of thick mucous

Posted by rosemaryhow @rosemaryhow, Nov 2, 2022

I think I can deal with pain easier than this. It felt like I had my GERD under control, or at least I learned how to manage it. Then out of nowhere, I began having this very thick,tenacious mucous in my throat day and night, to the point that it awakened me and I was gagging on it.My PCP thought it was my sinuses, but ENT said it was a GI issue. GI said never heard of it. Have had many tests and x-rays.It is difficult to be with people as they say "why are you clearing your throat all the time" Has anyone experienced this with GI issues?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Ive had this most of my adult life. I find that this is triggered by stress.

REPLY
@cedartrees

I may have a similar issue. I haven't awakened from sleep, but do clear my throat a lot in the evening. It seems like thick mucus. My GI doc will do an endoscopy to investigate, but suspects I have laryngopharyngeal reflux. It's also called silent reflux. Maybe check that out. Good luck

Jump to this post

@cedartrees, welcome. I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a resource with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Lifestyle changes may ease laryngopharyngeal reflux https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-lifestyle-changes-may-ease-laryngopharyngeal-reflux/

REPLY
@cedartrees

I may have a similar issue. I haven't awakened from sleep, but do clear my throat a lot in the evening. It seems like thick mucus. My GI doc will do an endoscopy to investigate, but suspects I have laryngopharyngeal reflux. It's also called silent reflux. Maybe check that out. Good luck

Jump to this post

Thank you. That is very interesting, I have had an endoscopy, and they said there was nothing unusual. However, the endo was done before all of the issues with the mucous started. Maybe the esophogram will show something. Did they give you any treatment or suggest anything that could improve it or make it go away? And it does seem to become worse in the evening.

REPLY
@rosemaryhow

Thank you. That is very interesting, I have had an endoscopy, and they said there was nothing unusual. However, the endo was done before all of the issues with the mucous started. Maybe the esophogram will show something. Did they give you any treatment or suggest anything that could improve it or make it go away? And it does seem to become worse in the evening.

Jump to this post

Yes, it is usually worse in the evening. My current treatments are taking omeprazole and lifestyle changes including not overeating at a meal, losing weight (I weigh 160 lb 5'3"), and avoiding certain foods. I should especially avoid onions, chocolate and mints. Other foods to avoid are acidic foods including tomatoes, citrus, etc., spicy foods and salty foods. I can have some caffeine/coffee and alcohol. I already avoid sodas and deep fried foods. He thought diaphragmatic breathing to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and drinking kefir for GI health might possibly help. I will have an upper endoscopy and a Bravo pH monitoring test.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@cedartrees, welcome. I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a resource with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Lifestyle changes may ease laryngopharyngeal reflux https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-lifestyle-changes-may-ease-laryngopharyngeal-reflux/

Jump to this post

This article is very eye opening and interesting. I printed it and will take it with me to my GI appt. next week. Thankyou so much. I finally feel like I have some science behind me and I am not crazy.

REPLY
@rosemaryhow

This article is very eye opening and interesting. I printed it and will take it with me to my GI appt. next week. Thankyou so much. I finally feel like I have some science behind me and I am not crazy.

Jump to this post

Get well Rosemary! We're all with you.

Joe

REPLY
@heyjoe415

Get well Rosemary! We're all with you.

Joe

Jump to this post

Thank you so much. I so appreciate the support and kindness of others.

REPLY
@rosemaryhow

Thank you so much. I so appreciate the support and kindness of others.

Jump to this post

You're welcome. Sometimes it helps just knowing there are people that care for others going through strange things. I've got GI issues that are mostly resolved now, and the people on this forum helped me get through it. You'll get through it too!

Joe

REPLY

Check to see if you have laryngopharyngeal reflux disease ("LPR" disease.)

REPLY
@rosemaryhow

Thank you. That is very interesting, I have had an endoscopy, and they said there was nothing unusual. However, the endo was done before all of the issues with the mucous started. Maybe the esophogram will show something. Did they give you any treatment or suggest anything that could improve it or make it go away? And it does seem to become worse in the evening.

Jump to this post

Elevate you head at night in bed and avoid acid foods.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.