Continued Post-Nasal Drip and Constant Mucus in Throat

Hopefully, everyone with mucous issues have had several Nasal-Endoscopy tests performed. I say several, because it took three different ENTs to finally find the cause of my problem. All three ENTs did the exact same Nasal-Endoscopy, yet it took a University ENT to find the cancer near my vocal cords, and later finding my vocal cords to be paralyzed. During radiation treatments I contracted Covid, breaking ribs with four months of forceful coughing. After the radiation treatment, it was becoming more difficult to breath because of thick mucus stuck in my throat. Then, Covid struck again, and right after the second "vaccination." After that second bout, no amount of nebulizing would alleviate the thick, stuck mucus. Literally, at deaths door, this wonderful ENT found the vocal cords to be paralyzed and suggested a Tracheotomy...I know...who wants a horrible Tracheotomy? I sure didn't, but you know what? It is the best thing that has happened to me throughout this ordeal. All the gunk can be easily coughed right out that hole in my neck or suctioned if needed. Imagine a clogged sink drain where the clog is out of reach. Now imagine that drain with a hole drilled where the clog accumulates. Most days, I forget the tracheotomy is even there, really. All this to say, please find out the condition of your vocal cords. They are the door that open and close allowing mucus through. Radiation, Covid, or a combination of the two can wreak havoc on these mechanisms. A Swallow Study is a fabulous procedure too. It will show you eating and drinking on a screen. This is done through an X-ray type machine. Best wishes to all the mucus sufferers.

I did. Took it at night cuz it can make you sleepy. It’s really an anti depressant, but people noticed it helped incessant coughing, and it did for me. I weaned off of it after 2 months.
I still have morning gunk, but had it before Covid.

Yes!! I’ve never heard anyone else mention it or associate it with Long Covid. My doctors have referred me to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy and an esophagram. Everything seemed normal in the barium swallow test, except for diminished esophageal peristalsis.

Has anyone else choked because of this? I’ve had a terrible time with choking. I’ve had the Heimlich maneuver performed on me 4 times in the last year because of the mucus. There are a lot of foods I won’t eat now.

Yes-I experienced choking 8 days after my 2nd COVID vaccine and have had numerous esophageal tests over the last year. I too have esophageal peristalsis.
I’ve been diagnosed with EGJOO (esophageal gastric outflow obstruction). My husband saved my life with a heimlech maneuver. Unfortunately we’re still trying to figure out how to treat it. I’ve also been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions and think this was the stimulus for the EGJOO. I’m taking medication for the autoimmune conditions, but it’s not helping the esophageal spasms. I also have continuous postnasal, drip and mucus that won’t clear. It’s particularly bad when I lay down at night and makes me cough throughout the night. All the symptoms started at the same time.
If anyone else has found success dealing with these symptoms, or their cause, we’d all appreciate hearing more.

I don’t know if I posted this before or not, but there is a study posted re: long haul by Otolaryngologist (full name for Ear, Nose, & throat doctors or ENT’s) called “Otolaryngologists Tackle Post-COVID-19 Laryngeal Complications” ( Mt.Sinai, NY)
It is AT least being looked at… somewhere…..

Ha! Indeed! The fix for all your woes! It’s “simple”: you just have a bad habit —of CLEARING your throat! (Instead of choking, like you’re “supposed” to do?) YEEKZ!!

This was true prior to long haul, but even more so now:
the very first indication that I’m dealing with a good doctor?
When they can say: I DON’T KNOW… but THEN hang in with me to figure out what will help.

Hi elliott, I was just curious how long exactly you were on the amitriptyline for before the post-nasal drip went away? Was it 2 months/8 weeks when it went away, or did it go away after a few days?

I'm just wondering since I was prescribed amitriptyline for the same reason and have used it for about 4 weeks so far but still have the post-nasal drip and haven't felt any improvement. I was curious as to whether it takes a while to build up in your system before you see any improvement, or if you start to see benefits right away (my only side-effects that I've noticed are just very vivid dreams when I sleep)

Thanks!

My main complaint was an almost constant cough, which subsided in a week or 2. I still have a little post nasal drip, which I also had before contracting Covid.

anned22, I choke and start coughing in my sleep fairly often on this slimy mucousy saliva in the back of my throat since Covid and I sit straight up and have to get it up. I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. Choking is so scary and I don't have it anything like you do. I am so sorry you are battling this. Praying right now. Bless you.

Hi. I have had the same problem for 2 years. I just recently recovered. I have an article I wrote on my blog Seasons_PostCOvidJourney.com. This site is about my journey with post covid and all the symptoms and issues I had and how I have either recovered or in treatment for issue. Post Nasal drip is natural response in your system to keep your throat and nasal passages wet. Normally, you don't notice it. However, when we start to cough or get allergies, our throat becomes irritated and our body signals to produce more mucus. Then we cough more, our throats get saturated with mucus as well as our esophagus, and we want to cough more and it becomes a vicious cycle. What we need to do is break the cycle. But how? Well it depends on what is causing the issue. If it an infection in the sinuses or Eustachian tubes (ears) then you need an antibiotic. A DECONGESTANT ONLY would also be advantageous. Do not use an expectorant unless your chest is congested. If it is allergies, then a doctor might also add an inhaler or nebulizer. I have used all. What I found most helpful and stopped both my cough and my nasal drip was just a decongestant SUDAFED PE. My doctor suggested it. If you are coughing and it is dry (no mucus) ask the doctor for Tessalon Perles. This is a pill that works on the smooth tissues of the throat and esophagus and will stop the cough. This is stop the continued irritation. I assume you have been to the doctor to see what is causing the post nasal drip. If the doctor is putting you off and telling you he does not know it or is saying it is allergies, demand an antibiotic to at least alleviate the infection if there is one. Mucinex was given to me in the hospital because I had pneumonia. If your issues are NOT stemmed from the lungs, Mucinex will not do you any good. It has an expectorant that is designed to soften and liquify the mucus and expel it from the body.
Good luck.