I cannot clear my throat; feels like mucus is there. Suggestions?

@muffincat1 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You symptom does sound crazy making.

Below I have linked a discussion you may find interesting, where members like @sarahbrhein @emsnoseiscured @glassshark @jea1 @pokee @jfvero have discussed a similar topic.
- Every day I cough up what looks like a scab with ugly mucous and blood https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/every-day-i-cough-up-what-looks-like-a-scab-with-ugly/

When the doctors check your throat, do they see mucus? Have they mentioned allergies, anxiety, using a decongestant or over the counter allergy medication, etc.?

That sounds like post-nasal drip. I have something that seems similar to what you described.

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!

@juleszs -- Sorry to hear the doctors have not been able to figure out what is causing your symptoms. Here's some information that sounds a lot like what you are describing.

What is globus pharyngeus?: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318633

Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic? f you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

This is Jules.
Thank you for your help.
Your suggestion was helpful.
I will investigate your info.

Jules

My wife has the same problem

This is probably simplistic but my son has this. He’s always trying to clear his throat and it is annoying fit him and those around him.

He discovered when he eliminates dairy from his diet, the phlegmy throat feeling goes away and he no longer feels like he has to constantly clear his throat.

I have Sjögren’s syndrome which is an auto-immune disorder. Many systemic manifestations but most of us have dryness of all mucus membranes, notably sinus, throat, eyes, etc. another fellow Sjögren’s”patient mentioned this symptom on the Smart Patients website. Because of less saliva production and dryness overall, our throats often have thick secretions.

One of their doctors said that throat clearing can become a habit, and that instead of trying to clear your throat, you should take a sip of water each time you want to clear, and be more conscious of not clearing every time you feel the urge.

This is probably elementary and not helpful, but I just thought the dairy elimination might help!

I hope you can get some relief!

try N.A.C. antioxidant 500 mg read on mayo link that it helped a friend who had phlegm. I tried it and it worked doctors unable to help for years. I do not know why it works for phlegm says it supports glutathione levels, but when i read what it does i gave a bottle to my wife for general health.

Hi Paul @paulnelson, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear your wife is having trouble with mucus in her throat. I wonder if this might be helpful.

20 effective ways to get rid of phlegm and mucus - Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321134

Has your wife seen a doctor or ENT specialist for the mucus problem?

Been to ent scoped everything’s normal