Looking for ideas???

Has anyone recommended an upper endoscopy?

Have they checked you for acid reflux/GERD?
I agree an upper endoscopy is a good idea.
It occurs to me you might be aspirating the reflux at night and irritating your throat and lungs. Just a thought; not medical advice. I’m

My totally unqualified suggestion from a mom and grandmother would be to work on stopping the Afrin. The chemical it uses, oxymetazoline, is known to cause problems with chronic use. Some of the studies I’ve seen while looking up the nasal spray I use and comments on this forum from other nasal sprays, is they are finding that the sprays can affect the throat as they have a long reaching effect.
My guess is that the oxymetazoline is causing the mucous in your throat - probably from the inconsistent amount of oxymetazoline it receives, and the resulting congestion and possible irritation it causes.

That said, stopping Afrin isn’t easy. It’s one of those withdrawal type symptoms where you’ll wish someone would put you in a coma until it was all over! Suggestions on the web included switching to a steroid based nasal spray, like Flonase, to decrease the inflammation that will occur when stopping the Afrin. Because you responded positively to the steroid the doctor ordered, a steroid based nasal spray may help the transition off Afrin. If it were me, I’d also take a decongestant pill, at least for a while, because your body has come to depend on it. Perhaps an Allergist doctor could help find the best solution to manage your nasal congestion.

All that being said, there was some discussion on one of the forums here about chronic mucous in the throat. Although it seemed to be with older folks. And possibly a late post COVID symptom. But there were no clear answers.
I like azelastine nasal spray, prescribed by my doctor but available OTC. I do not have nasal congestion but it seems to clear my sinuses. I can feel and taste it drip in my throat after spraying, and that is why I think the Afrin may be your issue.

Chronic use of Afrin is not good for you, son. Please try to find another way to cope with the congestion. I’m sorry the doctors are just working their way through the simple answers (steroid, Z-pac, antibiotic, apnea) before having to really think about the differential diagnosis. I’ve been pushed off, too, “surely with your weight it’s diabetes” (no) and surely because you’re a female “it must be your time of month, honey”).

Keep records of everything that has been tried - dates, whether it worked. If you have a smartwatch wear it at night and record your sleeping and any other health info it records. Some doctors don’t bother to go back and read your record, keep a list with you at your appointment and make sure your Afrin use (years, frequency) is on it. I’ve had better responses from doctors when they see I’m serious about my health, and have data to back up my symptoms.
Wishing you the best!

There is also PHERD pharyngal reflux. Instead of antagonizing your gastro system, acid goes up the back of your throat and aggravates your sinuses, and everything else up there resulting in MUCUS.

Ask doc for a series of swallow tests or an upper endoscopy.

What an awful situation! I would suggest doing some of your own research online like on the Mayo Clinic website and presenting your findings to your doctor. Also for the mucus, you might try gargling with Listerine, the original flavor. I have used Listerine when I had mucus and it worked really good. Plus it will kill any germs in your throat. Praying about your situation also helps. God will be there for you. I'll say a prayer for you also.
PML

@jwhite32509
I agree that it sounds like more than just sleep apnea. You may have sleep apnea due to whatever is causing the excess mucus buildup and inability to take a deep breath. You may be also suffering from Long Covid due to shots and/or infection.

Here are the doctors I would suggest seeing if I was in your situation:

1. Gastroenterologist for endoscopy, ultrasound of neck and swallow study unless the ENT can do the swallow study/ultrasound. The ultrasound may pick up any nodules in or enlargement of your thyroid which can cause swallowing issues.
2. Immunologist for sinus congestion and allergy testing. You do not want to overuse Afrin OTC. ENT can also check nasal cavity/sinuses.
3. Pulmonologist to run tests and check lung function. They may want to do a sleep study. If you have sleep apnea due, it is absolutely critical to treat this as you can die from stopping breathing while you sleep. It damages your heart, lungs, and kidneys over time.

@jwhite32509
You've given us a few clues, but we are not doctors, so cannot diagnose your situation.
The feeling that there is something in your throat, the mucus and the heartburn all are indicators of GERD, or gastro esophageal reflux disorder. Frequent shortness of breath/ air hunger can also be an indicator.

Risk factors for sleep apnea include being overweight, having sinus issues (corrective surgery isn't always permanent), GERD, breathing issues, allergies.

I am guessing that the doc made his preliminary diagnosis based on these and you medical history.

Next steps are getting off Afrin (long term use causes a rebound effect - where you need it to get relief or your nasal passages swell), testing for allergies, doing a sleep study to see if you have apnea, and determining whether you have GERD and treating each of those.

By the way, any of these conditions can develop at any point in life. I always remember my sister-in-law doubting our familial allergies - until she developed her own in her 40s!

Good luck on this exploratory journey to feeling better. In health, often multiple things occur over time, and we suddenly realize we feel lousy and seek care. Then all the symptoms and causes must be sorted out and we must make many changes in out lives to feel better. Some are easy, some may be harder.

Please come back and share with us, we're here to support and encourage you.