expectorant not working on excessive mucus without cough

Hi --- I think I didn't see the original post. But I'm having horrible issues with mucus constantly going down my throat. It is constant. Not a lot of volume but the "trickle" makes me sit up and drink something. Then when I lie back down to try to sleep it happens again so I have to sit up and drink something. My nose is running not a lot but noticeable. Also, I have been sneezing sometimes -- it comes from "nowhere" and all of a sudden I have a HUGE sneeze which takes me over meaning I cannot stop it, nor can I remove anything from my mouth -- so when the SNEEZE happens. if there is anything in my mouth it will shoot out explosively. I have tried a cough syrup (dextromethorphan and doxylamine succinate) which soothes the throat as it goes down but soon the mucous comes back which makes me sit up and drink something. I have also taken Benadryl for it -- and for help going to sleep. I've seen FIVE ENTs none helped - just forced another CT scan on me when I have told them I already had one. I naturally think the Drs do it over and over for the $$$$. One of the ENTs was arrogant, MEAN, and had no idea what to do. He left the exam room saying "I can do nothing for you." Then he abruptly turned around and shoved a paper at me -- an Rx which I think was for rhinitis or ? It was shi* and didn't work. I should have made a complaint about him but was too weak to even think of that. Another ENT (also pushed the CT on me) said he couldn't think of what to do -- HOWEVER he sort of guiltily brought up a surgical balloon procedure - he felt so guilty he renounced that. Another (expensive concierge ENT) did little -- said to see a Neurologist. I gave up.

Hi luck1038, I do not know what is causing the mucus. With me, it is either throat cancer treatment, a lung E-coli infection, aspiration...as you can see, it is quite perplexing. However, the ONLY thing that works to break up the mucus for me, is Saline, at least 7% concentration. Have you tried nebulizing with a saline solution to break it up? Hope you find the cause. Seems like many people are suffering with this condition. Could it be our atmosphere s contributing factor?

Dear fnglover, Have you tried nebulizing with an at least 7% saline solution? Works wonders at breaking up mucus, and the ONLY method that works for me. Hope you feel better.

Exact same situation for me. Here’s what I’ve done and I am improving; Be sure you are taking the Extra Strength Mucinex (1200 mg, 2x daily). Lots of water. I’m also taking NAC and I think that is helping. Pulmonologist did a strong prednisone blast with a long taper (and that really helped). He also had me on doxycycline for a week (ended yesterday) and that has seemingly improved things even more. I’ve also upper my exercise lately. And I’m drinking a Breath Easy tea that one of the moderators recommended. With all this, I’ve seen great improvement over the last month. (Plus there is vodka.)

Also, despite the improvement, my upper back is sore from the huffing and coughing ... please chime back if you have a solution here. I’m mainly trying to refrain from unneeded forced coughing (some of this is habit now I think). And I’m trying to cough more gently.

Similar to Mucinex but better, I believe, is Tussein Mucus and Cough Congestion available through Amazon and perhaps your local pharmacy. Hope you get some relief.

@fnglover and others with "too much mucus production", I don't have or use a nebulizer but what helps me is using a nasal saline wash daily. My pulmonologist prescribed Dymista for too frequent nasal drainage as needed and it really helps! I'd tried Mucinex but lung doc also switched me from that to otc, Allegra, on bad seasonal allergy days.

Someone recommended and I ordered an Air Physio, hand held device which is an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device. I asked the Spirometry breathing test technician about it yesterday at my pulmonologist visit. He said it works much like other similar devices in that as you breathe into it, it causes a deep chest vibration which tends to "loosen" that lung mucus that can often get "hung" when one tries to cough up the mucus but little can be forced out. With practice, I can now expel more of that mucus.

Was delighted that doc said my days before lung CT scan had showed no change and that my breathing test scores were better than the yr before. Her parting comment was: "whatever you are doing, it is working". Whoo Hoo! Her time with me is very limited and so didn't mention the Air Physio. However, using that along with more home deep breathing/coughing exercises may have all contributed to my better scores.

Breathing, lung and mucus issues are my most concerning health issue and luckily for me, my pulmon. also happens to be my favorite doc. She is proactive and I trust her. Amazingly, she and her little family managed to avoid Covid despite more time this past yr treating severely ill Covid hospital patients when our hospitals were out of ICU beds.

Of course we aren't docs and what works for one may not for another but I'm hoping all who suffer lung issues can find treatments that help. I agree that all too often specialists, whatever the ailment, just order more tests.

Believe it or not, I found a children's product with homeopathic-type ingredients that actually works wonders for me at dissolving mucus. You can buy it cheap on eBay too! Mucinex, no matter what strength, does absolutely nothing for me, yet, this miracle liquid really works. I hope it works for all of you fellow mucus-sufferers as well!!! It's called "Hyland's 4Kids Cold n Mucus Daytime" Please give it a try...I just looked on eBay, and there are many great deals on the product.
In addition, I ordered a device that is due to arrive in a few days. It is very innovative, and took hours of searching to find it! You will need a suction machine to use this little miracle. It is called "The No-Bite V," and is sold by "NJR Medical. Here is a link: https://store.njrmedical.com/.
I see that this product has been around for a long-time, so maybe you have already tried it.
Also, here is a great video showing how to use the product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_eMx9UyjEQ
Just highlight the video link, right click, and go-to. Please let me know what you think!
God be with everyone.

Dear fnglover, I ordered a device that is due to arrive in a few days. It is very innovative, and took hours of searching to find it! You will need a suction machine to use this little miracle. It is called "The No-Bite V," and is sold by "NJR Medical. Here is a link: https://store.njrmedical.com/.
Also, here is a great video showing how to use the product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_eMx9UyjEQ
Just highlight the video link, right click, and go-to. Please let me know what you think!

@fiesty76- Good morning. How wonderful it is to hear the good news! No lung changes are the best! I also love my pulmonologist. He's been rated the best in RI and my surgeon used to work with him before he moved to his home state.

We need a flag or something to celebrate. What do you think?