Phlegm in my throat and post nasal drip after Covid

Posted by danny2022 @danny2022, Dec 18, 2022

Ever since I had covid in January of 2022 I recovered from the virus but I was left with a constant phlegm in the back of my throat and post nasal drip that will not go away. The feeling of having mucus in the back of my throat actually gets worse when I try to get rid of it by coughing. I have been given steroid inhalers, albuterol, allergy medication, but none of these work. The mucus gets worse especially after I eat. I've never felt like this before and it all started after covid. Can anybody relate to what I am going through?

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@car0

I know this doesn’t help… but I’m so sorry. There is no way I would have ever thought this could be an actual thing—but wow. I too have been suffering with this, and your experience is totally familiar: 3 ENT’s, allergist, it’s all in your head ( why say that?!?) and the drastic life change.
I finally found a dr who has heard of this. ( I got severe Covid in 03/20 & long haul since). I was not going to share this, because I didn’t want anyone trying this and having it fail… but you have gone through too much. I don’t know if this will help— I haven’t had it yet. I’m going to an immunologist who has treated Long Covid patients. She wants me to have an endoscopy ( G.I. Dr) to biopsy my esophagus and then proceed with treatment. I don’t know where you are in the country… I’ll private message you

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same issue, now long covid, had severe covid in 2021, 45 days covid positive in hospital, vent, ICU, trache… now continued issue with swallowing and not being able to cough due to lung fibrosis, constantly cleaning my throat but nothing really gets moved.. did bronchoscopy, swallow test, Endoscopy just two weeks ago which showed upper esophagus inflammation, so now taking Acid Reflux meds for two months per GI dr; also had allergy test at my pulmonologist and found several allergies I never had, so now taking also allergy pill every night, which helps a lot; swallow test determined mild esophageal dismotility, there is no meds for that, I still have trouble with the phlegm and post nasal drip but it’s much better, my nose is not running constantly and I don’t have to keep sticking tissues to my nose to hold the water dripping anymore.. the bad rash is gone too.. still searching for answers.. your message helps, glad I am not alone and will appreciate people share.. this post covid is so new and not much research has been done to get us answers… we have to share with each other. Thank you and God Bless you!🙏

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I suffered for three years w/congestion, throat clearing, post nasal drip. Saw Primary, ENT, Allergist, & GI. No one had answers. If my husband & I got separated in a store, he would find me by listening for the throat clearing. I just decided it was me & something I had to live with. After 3 years of suffer, I was put on antibiotic (Amoc-Clav 1000mg) for another condition. My post nasal drip cleared up and has never came back (since 2015). I don’t know why all those physicians couldn’t find anything, but I know to advise you to be persistent & don’t give up. Keep seeking.

FYI- As odd as it seems, these symptoms are also closely related & sometimes the only symptoms of Gastoesophageal Reglux diseases (GERD).
All the best!

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@beckyt

What treatment?

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Yes, that is what I don’t know. My dr said it would depend on test results still pending and endoscopy results.
Sorry— I tried to make it clear I have nothing to offer yet. (And boy do I wish I had. . I can’t sleep choking.)

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@beebee000

i too have this thick stuff in my throat 24/7 and have tried pretty much everything, i am so sure it's coming from my gut, i have tried acid reflux med, even by a prescription and it did not work, for me that's not what it is, it gets so bad it ends up in my sinuses so i work to keep that cleared out with my navage...but it never leaves my throat..never, i have been dealing with it since i had covid over 3 and a half years now...i have slept sitting up, still just as bad sometimes to the point of gagging, does not seem to matter what i eat or drink anymore....it's like i have wood glue in my throat....i can do little things to kind of calm it down but it is ALWAYS there...it gets exhausting...hang in there...

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I’ve been having the exact same issue and still the same. It very very frustrating for me and the surrounding people around me hearing me constantly trying to clear my throat!!!

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@aca

I’ve been having the exact same issue and still the same. It very very frustrating for me and the surrounding people around me hearing me constantly trying to clear my throat!!!

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beebee000, Right there with you, BUT, I have found something that is helping me as of last night. Praise the Lord! I have been trying Guafenesin which is a mucous thinner (Sp?) over the counter during the day ONLY. Last night I took one 400 mg before bedtime and I had less mucousy saliva this morning and I did not get choked in my sleep like I did the night before. I am also irrigating my sinuses once a day with NeilMed Sinus rinse and gargling in warm salt water once a day. The Covid Recovery Clinic told me to steer clear of citrus fruits as this make this stuff worse. I find that salty foods make it worse, ex. pizza. I was told the gut, reflux and mucosa can be affected by Covid. I still am scraping my tongue about 4 times a day with this stuff and using Colgate Peroxdyl once a day which helps. It is not gone, but, today and last night were better. I even had an endoscopy and the Gastro Doctor said everything looked fine and the biopsy came back fine. This throat clearing is not a habit, there is something back there when I keep clearing my throat, I understand. Hugs & Prayers....

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hang in there....keeping the sinuses clear helps to keep it from getting worse, i am always trying different things to get rid of the 24/7 junk in my throat, i'm working on healing my gut....also keeping track of what seems to irritate it...i won't give up!!!

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@car0

I know this doesn’t help… but I’m so sorry. There is no way I would have ever thought this could be an actual thing—but wow. I too have been suffering with this, and your experience is totally familiar: 3 ENT’s, allergist, it’s all in your head ( why say that?!?) and the drastic life change.
I finally found a dr who has heard of this. ( I got severe Covid in 03/20 & long haul since). I was not going to share this, because I didn’t want anyone trying this and having it fail… but you have gone through too much. I don’t know if this will help— I haven’t had it yet. I’m going to an immunologist who has treated Long Covid patients. She wants me to have an endoscopy ( G.I. Dr) to biopsy my esophagus and then proceed with treatment. I don’t know where you are in the country… I’ll private message you

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Yes please update when you have new results and the treatment they’re talking about. Any hope is helpful!

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I have had exactly the same symptoms now after covid for 18 months and have had all the tests and nothing is working. It is terrible after eating and I constantly have mucus in my throat. I feel like I am just being left to get on with things but daily life is very stressful with this as affects everything I do. Please if anyone has anything to suggest that may help I would be grateful.

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@dee10

I have had exactly the same symptoms now after covid for 18 months and have had all the tests and nothing is working. It is terrible after eating and I constantly have mucus in my throat. I feel like I am just being left to get on with things but daily life is very stressful with this as affects everything I do. Please if anyone has anything to suggest that may help I would be grateful.

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Have you tried anything for acid reflux ? How about nasal sprays or mucinex?
Flonase, antihistamines….
I’m just throwing everything out there because I am in same boat for almost a year. I have tried most everything and nothing helps. Some days better than others and I can’t figure out why.
Good luck

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@ilonac

Have you tried anything for acid reflux ? How about nasal sprays or mucinex?
Flonase, antihistamines….
I’m just throwing everything out there because I am in same boat for almost a year. I have tried most everything and nothing helps. Some days better than others and I can’t figure out why.
Good luck

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Thank you and yes I have tried all of them mentioned and am still on acid reflux medication for months and still nothing helps very frustrating I know. Hopefully something will work soon 🙏

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