Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat
I was sick the last week or January/first week of February. Home Test-negative, rapid PCR-negative. All COVID symptoms and known prolonged exposure to infected individuals make me believe it was COVID. Since then, I have had a tremendously hard time dealing with post-nasal drip and mucus collecting in my throat. It is clear, sticky and almost impossible to remove from throat by coughing or clearing my throat. Flonase does nothing, allergy pills do nothing. Had anyone else had an issue like this post COVID? How long did it last? What did you do to cope? Small problem in comparison to others that post here, I realize.
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First contracted Covid 19 in January 2020 from students returning to Canadian classrooms from China and Filipines. Continued congestion with recurrent Covid infection and after receiving the mandatory covid vaccines. Since the first infection until now, 3 years later, I have been plagued with a sticky clear phlegm. Initially it was much thicker and seemed to have properties of super glue, almost adhering my fingers together, and being very difficult to expell. Taking over the counter mucus relief pill 2 times daily relieves coughing but mucus continues to be with me now whereas prior to Covid infections and vaccines characteristics of my mucus were much different, even during 3 separate bouts of pnuemonia. When students use stink bombs at school, I notice odors of suphur are trapped within this mucus in my sinuses, leaving me exposed to chronic odors with associative discomfortfor days. This was never expereinced prior to Covid 19.
A Respiratory Therapist once recommended to me putting lemon and local honey in water for throat irritations. If I remember right this was added to a warm water gargle. As what you have sounds like it originated from overseas, I don't know that local honey would do the trick. My leaning and what I have done in the past for symptoms unrelieved by conventional medicine is to turn to acupuncture. I have had some success with it, just avoid a training school, seek the experienced hand should you feel inclined to give it a try as well.
I noticed on the online Mayo Clinic Store sells an interesting product called Soothing Scents. The product they display online currently relieves nausea, but I Googled Soothing Scents and they have a website that shows their whole product line. This might help you with the trapped odor you had mentioned. I need to order one of their scents myself as I just had a re-roof and my house smells like tar. Good luck with finding solutions that relieve your discomfort.
I’m experiencing the same thing and I know how difficult this is to manage. All that extra drainage has probably affected your taste as well-it’s done that for me as well. I’m finding it impossible to wear my dentures for the last 2 years because of the constant need to remove them and clear my throat and mouth. I don’t even try to wear them anymore because it’s a waste of time. I suffer from dry mouth and my dentist has ordered me a rx mouthwash that I use sparingly because it dries my mouth out so much it feels like a desert in there. I’m wondering if this approach would help control your excessive secretions. Also tea can be very effective in drying up secretions. I’m sorry you’re suffering with this side effect.
I had covid Jan 2022 on my 40th birthday. Not bad at all, but had to stay home for 5 days. I have had super thick, rubber-like mucus in my sinuses and throat, but I can never clear my throat. My chest and upper back hurt from constantly clearing my throat. The only thing I haven't had is a chest x-ray as my primary doesn't think I need one. This has literally taken over my day to day life. I pray that we find something to remedy this!
I had a sinus infection March 2020, could've been covid but no fever or symptoms besides sinus trouble. I called the doctor and they order antibiotics over the phone. That didn't really help. Called back a couple weeks later and they ordered stronger antibiotics. These didn't really help. Since then, I have had tons of mucus and sinus pressure in my head and I am constantly clearing my throat but nothing comes up. My friends say I sound like an outboard motor. My primary care sent me to an ENT and he immediately ordered my to have my nasal turbinates reduced even though they were only slightly swollen. Fast forward to April 2021, I received the Pfizer vaccine (two shots two weeks apart) which I regret. I don't recall having throat clearing before I had the vaccine.
Anywho, I am so lost for options that I am uncertain if the turbinate reduction procedure is actually causing the constant PND and throat clearing.
My family and I also moved into another house in April 2020. The house was 4 years old one owner home. They had cats and I have had allergy testing done by two separate allergists, both blood and skin. I have never had allergies. I was prescribed Azelastine twice but it did not help. I went to a second ENT Feb 2022 after having a CT Scan of my sinuses done. He said that my sinuses were "Not Perfect", and recommended changing my lifestyle (no caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods etc) along with saline rinses twice daily. NONE OF THIS HAS HELPED. I have used FloNase and every allergy medicine available.
There is much much more to add, but I will do that in a separate post. Very frustrating, but I try to remain hopeful.
Turbinate reduction did not help me at all. I just can never clear my throat and constant PND.
I have used the Saline bottle, the Navage, NetiPot and the store bought saline mist cans. Nothing helps at all. I tired Azelastine twice. No improvement. Flonase and every type of nasal steroid. Oral steroids and antibiotics. I even installed UV lamps in my HVAC air handler. No relief.
100% exact same scenario for me. NEVER had allergies. Always active and playing sports. I can't even play adult soccer now. I have been to the cardiologist due to rapid heart rate and palpitations. I has EKG and Echocaridiograms (ultra sound of the heart) and everything is normal except for tachycardia which is fast heart rate. I have been prescribed flecanide and it has really helped with the fast heart rate and palpitations.
However, I had never experienced this until after I had the vaccine (Pfizer, two shots). I wish I never did it but I thought I was helping protect others. I'm sure there is a different thread for this, but I am really struggling because I think the vaccine created a reaction where my body is producing a THICK, STICKY, SALTY mucus and phlegm that I can never get rid of. I hope that I can get some type of remedy for this issue and stop guessing and blaming things that may have nothing to do with it.
Azelastine helped minimize my postnasal on most days, but some days did not work at all. I ended up using a combination of Azelastine and Xclear Rescue for breakthrough postnasal between the Azelastine sprays. I am six months out from havin Covid, and my postnasal is much more manageable now. Minimal on most days. I have stopped Azelastine and now use Xlear Rescue as needed. I am not sure if it was just time, or the Xlear spray, or the numerous supplements I have been taking that has helped, or the change in seasons, but hoping this continues to improve. I have noticed eating sugar flares my symptoms, so am more careful about what I eat. Have also been using a gua sha and dry brushing to help with lymphatic drainage of the face and body. Let me know if you find anything that works for you.
I have been through all the exact things you mentioned and more. I had an Endoscopy done and I had slight inflammation of the esophagus. NONE of the meds they recommended helped at all. I had allergy testing done twice with separate specialists. I have ZERO allergies. I just started taking the plain Mucinex again yesterday and bought another new (my fourth) neilmed squeeze bottle sinus irrigation. I always feel like I have something in the back of my throat between my nose and throat. If I breathe in through my nose slowly, it sounds like I'm snoring but nothing comes up or down. I constantly clear my throat and the is not producing anything either. Every couple days I will blow white or clear rubber out of my nose. I have constant sinus pressure and dizziness. So frustrating and confusing. Staying positive though.