Phlegm in my throat and post nasal drip after Covid

Posted by danny2022 @danny2022, Dec 18, 2022

Ever since I had covid in January of 2022 I recovered from the virus but I was left with a constant phlegm in the back of my throat and post nasal drip that will not go away. The feeling of having mucus in the back of my throat actually gets worse when I try to get rid of it by coughing. I have been given steroid inhalers, albuterol, allergy medication, but none of these work. The mucus gets worse especially after I eat. I've never felt like this before and it all started after covid. Can anybody relate to what I am going through?

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@jmcf

Yes, and twice a day, I’m also still irrigating with NeilMed and then gargling with salt water. (I don’t have to use steam anymore though.) Right now, I still get phlegm in my throat, but it’s manageable. I would strongly recommend you also try the xylitol gum. I found that when I used to gargle and spit for hours, my body seemed to be frantically producing more mucus to replace that which I was frantically coughing up and spitting out. Now, after about 15 to 20 minutes of spitting, I’m able to start chewing a piece of gum and this stops the body from continuing to produce more mucus. It seems as if the small amount of mucus produced when we chew tricks the body into “thinking” that it doesn’t have to continue making the massive amounts of mucus it had been producing. Something like that.

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I’m going to try the gym and see if that helps. I’ve been using the Neil saline spray for a while and truly I don’t notice a different. I also used Xlear with xytol and I don’t think that worked either. Like you and many others I have tried just about everything. I am glad that you found a solution. I have to say that some days are better than others and I have no idea why. This whole thing is a mystery.

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@ilonac

I’m going to try the gym and see if that helps. I’ve been using the Neil saline spray for a while and truly I don’t notice a different. I also used Xlear with xytol and I don’t think that worked either. Like you and many others I have tried just about everything. I am glad that you found a solution. I have to say that some days are better than others and I have no idea why. This whole thing is a mystery.

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The gum has been the one thing that I can definitely say has done some good. It’s as if it turns off the tap that is spewing more and more and more mucus into my throat. I use it after I’ve gargled and spat and don’t feel like carrying on doing that for another few hours. There are also Manuka honey lozenges that you can suck if you’re not into gum.

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@jmcf

The gum has been the one thing that I can definitely say has done some good. It’s as if it turns off the tap that is spewing more and more and more mucus into my throat. I use it after I’ve gargled and spat and don’t feel like carrying on doing that for another few hours. There are also Manuka honey lozenges that you can suck if you’re not into gum.

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So funny that you mentioned Manuka honey as I was looking it up today.
I was looking for the actual honey and not the lozenges because I figured that might help with the allergy component of this. I will try the lozenges too Thanks

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@jmcf

The gum has been the one thing that I can definitely say has done some good. It’s as if it turns off the tap that is spewing more and more and more mucus into my throat. I use it after I’ve gargled and spat and don’t feel like carrying on doing that for another few hours. There are also Manuka honey lozenges that you can suck if you’re not into gum.

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Does the gym have to have xylitol. That’s an artificial sweetener, right?

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@ilonac

Does the gym have to have xylitol. That’s an artificial sweetener, right?

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Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol. The gum tastes great. I'm going to try the Manuka honey lozenges mentioned above. Have a blessed day.

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@ilonac

Does the gym have to have xylitol. That’s an artificial sweetener, right?

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No, the gum doesn’t need to have xylitol : it’s the chewing action that produces mucus to facilitate swallowing that calms the centre that reacts to our trying to eliminate the excess mucus and phlegm in our throats. When this whole thing started for me, I used to feel as if I was in a rowboat that was filling up with water, but it didn’t matter how fast I managed to scoop the water out of the boat, it just kept on filling up with more water that was pouring out of a hose pipe at the other end. The analogy isn’t perfect but it reflects the frustration and helplessness I felt.
Xylitol can be produced artificially but it’s also found naturally in some fruit and vegetables. Sugar will rot your teeth and make you fat, and aspartame is a carcinogen. Most dentists encourage their patients to chew xylitol gum. (I think it tastes pretty good, too.)

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@jmcf

Yes, and twice a day, I’m also still irrigating with NeilMed and then gargling with salt water. (I don’t have to use steam anymore though.) Right now, I still get phlegm in my throat, but it’s manageable. I would strongly recommend you also try the xylitol gum. I found that when I used to gargle and spit for hours, my body seemed to be frantically producing more mucus to replace that which I was frantically coughing up and spitting out. Now, after about 15 to 20 minutes of spitting, I’m able to start chewing a piece of gum and this stops the body from continuing to produce more mucus. It seems as if the small amount of mucus produced when we chew tricks the body into “thinking” that it doesn’t have to continue making the massive amounts of mucus it had been producing. Something like that.

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I have also noticed that chewing gum seems to aid in things clearing a bit. Also have found some relief by drinking hot water with tru lemon packet and honey. Neither of these things totally clear it up, but it seems to help to some degree.

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I had Covid in April 2023 and lasted 2 1/2 months. Congestion lingered.
I have Covid again Oct 2023.
I live rural, work from home and still got it. My bad luck!
This time I knew what to do not hit me so hard.
Besides nebulizer with albuterol and Budesonide, I have found some relief from congestion by using Mullien drops in my drinks. It’s an herb that fights infections and inflammation. Put it in your water and drink it. There is almost no taste to it. Immediately that disgusting phlegm starts coming out. Of course, my lungs create phlegm just as fast but it really makes you cough it out right away.
Read about it!

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I had covid in August 2022, which was a mild experience that seemed like dust allergy. By December 2022, I had shortness of breath, heart palpitations, constant post nasal drip and mucous in my throat that doesn’t go away. By January 2023 I had fluid on my lungs, and the other issues persisted. By February, everything disappeared except post nasal drip and mucous. Nothing helps and I am constantly trying to clear away the mucous. I’m pretty healthy and rarely get sick, so I know this is all related to Covid19. Doctor did exams and X-rays of lungs, but nothing further since lungs good again. I have never had acid reflux so not even considering that as the cause. Very frustrating.

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@evar1989

For everyone who's post nasal drip started after Covid infection, maybe this is interesting. Mine started thin, then changed to thick and sticky including crusts as of today (18 months now). ENT has no clue, Staphylococcus A. was found and after antibiotics and xylitol nasal rinse the post nasal drip disappeared for a month and then returned. Next to the drip I have several other nasopharynx related symptoms and because I can't stop doing my own research when I have a real bad day (😂), I came across chronic nasopharyngitis, also known as epipharyngitis. My symptoms are a 100% match, never had that before with other potential conditions, so I'm gonna discuss this with my ENT. Maybe worth to discuss as well if you suffer from the same symptoms.

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I have chronic post nasal drip, this clear mucus coming down from my upper throat since April 21. My ENT took this photo of if my nasopharynx. Sinuses themselves are fine, but nasopharynx is chronically inflamed by something.

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