So, for many years I have been coughing up what I can only explain as “mucus scabs”, thick, oval, highly viscous excretions from the throat, about the size of the small finger nail (Pictures available on request but very similar to those posted!). These seem to develop on the rear upper surface of the uvula (soft palate?).
Severe and constant snorting and coughing has been required to dislodge these sticky resistant fellas, very unsociable and embarrassing. Many time the coughing and snorted has not been successful to to dislodge the formation. Several courses of Omeprazole suggested acid reflux, but the scabs continued.
So, recently I decided to give the nasal rinse (netipot) a proper go. Initially, it was unsuccessful with the fluid merely entering one nostril and draining out of the other, not touching the area where I sensed the problem existed.
Then there was my Eureka a moment!
I realised that the traditional nasal rinse was not touching the back of the throat (upper uvula/soft palate). So, using a combined pump of the pot and a simultaneous sniff, the fluid was able to be flushed down the upper part of the throat. This allowed for simultaneous discharge of the rinsing fluid through the open nostril and also through the mouth (to avoid swallowing the fluid). Severla "sniff" were required and the te timing of this process is crucial to avoid swallowing/wretching, but you soon get used to it, particularity when you get the result.
After a couple of small neti-bottles, it was a revelation as one of those sticky, stubborn mucous fellas must have dislodged and slid effortlessly out of my mouth into the sink with the fluid (worth putting the plug in the sink to inspect !)…and instant relief occurred..I could feel the obstruction had gone!
After a week of flushing this way, 2 times per day, the scabs have disappeared and now I am off the Omeprazole.
Following other advice , I produced my own rinse fluid using distilled/boiled water with a pinch of salt .I also found that heating the water in a microwave to a tepid temperature aided the process with potentially the heated saline solution breaking down the scab adhesion in-situ allowing it break away and flush out.
I now use a nasal rinse once a week just to keep on-top of things which now prevents the development of those nasty sticky fellas.
So, I am now mucous scab free, and more importantly, the constant coughing, snorting and hacking to try and dislodge those nasty, sticky scabs has now stopped and peace has been restored to the household!
I thought you might be interested in how I have resolved this issue.
Maybe I have invented a new medical procedure!!
I recently ordered a Sinugator from Neil Med, it really blasts the solution in, takes some getting used to. I’ve only used it twice so far but a scab came out 15 minutes later so I think it may work. Also, I ordered a moisturizing rinse and and an antibacterial rinse that contains xylitol, all ordered directly from Neil Med.