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Chronic throat clearing
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?
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I'm sorry Rosemary.
It might help to get a "pillow wedge" to prop up your head and upper body when you lie down. You can get one on Amazon I think. It's not the easiest way to sleep but if it helps, please give it some thought.
All the best.
Joe
I am having a 24 hour PH test on monday. it was my new GI who thought i had bad gerd/ silent reflux. im a little nervous about the test but mucus its really bad on a regular basis i used the navage and i do rinses to give me temp relief. the nose stuffiness is real bad too.
I have had a problem for years that I always have something caught in my throat.
I can’t swallow it and I can’t clear my throat to bring it up either
At first they thought it was reflux and I had the reflux surgery and it didn’t help.
I have had numerous endoscopy and they can’t find anything wrong
I have seen three ENT doctors and have gotten no relief
The current doctor has me on an anti depressant and omenprazel.
I have up coming appointments with speech therapist and a follow up with an neurologist
This is getting to the point where it’s affecting me physically and mentally
There are times when I’m embarrassed to leave my house. Who wants to be near someone when he clears their throat constantly
I’m getting to the point where I’m afraid of becoming a recluse
Oh I have also seen nose specialist and it’s not post nasal drip either
Has anyone had this and overcome it?
I’m at the end of my rope
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6 Reactions@vinman789 Hello, and welcome to Connect. I clear my throat a lot, but it is because of allergies and asthma. When I am exposed to something that triggers me, my lungs produce phlegm as a protection and this phlegm must move upward to be cleared out. That also depends on lung movement and breathing properly to effectively move the phlegm or it can get stuck and cause infections. I have some physical tightness on one side of my body and have had one side of my ribs not expand enough and that has lead to chest infections starting on that side.
If you have never been tested for allergies, that may be something to consider. You can also try over the counter antihistamines or something like Mucinex which thins the phlegm and makes it easier to clear. I don't know if you smoke, but smoking paralyzes the cilia which are the hair like projections of the cells lining the airways. These are beating to move the phlegm upward. That creates some difficulty clearing the airways if the cilia stop working.
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1 ReactionWow, 48 hours ago I would not have had anything to add to Jennifer's comments. You could be describing my husband - for all of the many years we have been together!
He has tried everything - sometimes in combination - and nothing completely resolved it. His was not post nasal drip or GERD either.
Last week his pain management doc, of all people, recommended Azelastine nasal spray. We just learned it is available over the counter in the same strength as the prescription version. Just a few days, and his throat clearing has almost disappeared! And he has been able to stop 2 of his 3 allergy meds.
Sue
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4 ReactionsHas anyone suggested that it may be a tic? Tics are autonomic (you don't have control) movements or speech that are part of a disorder known as Tourette's syndrome. I have a friend that has a tic of clearing her throat. Tic can sometimes be managed by medications but you should perhaps consult a psychiatrist or neurologist if this hasn't already been ruled out.
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1 ReactionI have appointment with neurologist coming up in a month.
He specializes in tics so hopefully he can help
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2 ReactionsDo you have any difficulty with swallowing? Have you had any swallow studies. I assume you’ve tried simple things like sucking on lozenges, cough drops, drinking water etc. Any trouble with your ears?
Have you had any xrays of your neck? Sometimes people develop osteophytes, bony protrusions that stick out into your pharynx. That can trigger a cough reflex. Is your GERD under control?
I’ll see about trying that