Severe throat mucus - Hard to breath - Help, please!

[Lucky5253]

For the last few weeks, I have felt very congested in my nose and throat. A lot of mucus has been present, but in my nose, it has been hard to get out, as of lately. And when I do try to blow my nose to get it out, it feels like the strong air is causing irritating pain throughout the passageways. When the mucus does come out of my nose, it comes out in heaping globs of thick/gluelike/sticky/stretchable clear or cloudy whiteness. I sometimes feel as though I have large amounts of this thick mucus in my nose, yet it is very difficult to pass, causing some pain from the harsh blowing.
My throat has been even more of a problem. The mucus rarely comes out, but has at times, in the heaps that it does from my nose, yet it feels as though there is constant blockage in my throat. I often feel a need to spit constantly and sometimes am practically drooling, as well. The mucus in my throat is constantly there, and I am very often sticking my finger in my throat to grab globs of it. I keep pulling out the mucus, but there is always more there! The mucus is often clear, sometimes white/cloudy in spots and quite sticky. It is usually thinner than the nasal mucus, but it is even more irritating... It very often feels as though I cannot breathe and that I am choking! This has caused me a tremendous amount of anxiety. Can someone reassure me that it is impossible to choke or not breathe due to mucus in one's throat? This has caused me to nearly have a panic attack on more than one occasion, as this has been a constant problem for nearly a month!
What is likely causing this build up of mucus? And what can I do to recover from this?
I went to my general physician when I had it a few days, and she said that it was likely due to a virus. That was a few weeks ago. I went again today, and she prescribed my an antibiotic. Will the antibiotic help me recover from this? I heard that viruses have to clear on their own, but since she prescribed me an antibiotic (amoxicillin/amoxacillin), I'm not sure that is what I have.
Also, I heard that drinking liquids - especially hot liquids, according to my doctor - help to clear the mucus, but I find it hard to even eat or drink sometimes! I feel like it is nearly impossible to swallow often and that the food just gets stuck in my throat. I even nearly choked on water the other day! However, with all the spitting out I've been doing, I am getting awfully dehydrated at times. Do you have any food or drink suggestions?
I have been drinking gatorade often, for the potassium (and calories when I can barely eat). Do you think that's a good choice?
Any other comments, suggestions, or advice would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you!

[epicizumikonata]

I know this answer is years late but I've been having a similar issue. However just the day before yesterday I've been getting random fevers and shortness of breath. I had a cold two weeks ago that turned into laryngitis, but went away quickly until I kept trying to clear my throat and phlegm just kept getting stuck. The other day I was in the car and felt like it was so difficult to get fresh air into my lungs and went to the hospital later that evening. They said everything was fine, which pissed me off because they didn't even bother doing any tests other than strep and influenza. I still keep getting spontaneous fevers and find it difficult to get out of bed without feeling tired. I can't even tell if I have bronchitis because the throat mucus seems to affect the waaaay back of my nose...I also feel some blockage around my neck...aside from that my neck muscles are in pain from trying to breathe. I'm really desperate for answers!!

[randomgui]

You may try to check your thyroid by a blood test. I remember having same problem with muscus but on a quite bad level. It would gather up almost always, but the worst part was going to sleep. When you sleep it's okay, when you wake up you can still breathe but when I swallowed my saliva I had 2 suffocation experiences 2 different times because of the muscus blocking/preventing me from breathing. I remember it would las for like 30 seconds up to a minute. It was quite frightening, thank God never experienced after those 2 times. So, about the thyroid. I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid (synonyms: hypothyroidism, hypothyreosis), my thyroid wasn't producing enough TSH. After I started taking Levothyroxine pills (pretty much a substitute because the thyroid doesn't produce enough horomones TSH) it got muuch better. The pills are very cheap, at least here, around 3 euros for 125 pills. Also I would have excessive hair shedding prior to finding out the problem, didn't know what it was + I am 18, but later found out it was caused by underactive thyroid too.

[reborn888]

I had this thing for 4 years.

Since yesterday I am healthy again. It's the most liberating sensation I ever felt. How did I do it?

Turns out most likely this condition was determined by acid reflux. I know this because it usually got better or worse depending on my diet.

Yesterday I tried a massage machine on my back. After a few minutes of maximum intensity (actually it's quite painful), I noticed that the phlegm stopped building up in my throat. That's it. No more. Nada. Niet.

The most likely explanation is that I somehow moved the position of the muscles/spine/stomach relative to each other in a way that doesn't create any more inflamation.

I suggest anyone with reflux-related phlegm (if it's sinus related it won't probably have any effect) to try some kind of manipulation.  

[reborn888]

I had this thing for 4 years.

Since yesterday I am healthy again. It's the most liberating sensation I ever felt. How did I do it?

Turns out most likely this condition was determined by acid reflux. I know this because it usually got better or worse depending on my diet.

Yesterday I tried a massage machine on my back. After a few minutes of maximum intensity (actually it's quite painful), I noticed that the phlegm stopped building up in my throat. That's it. No more. Nada. Niet.

The most likely explanation is that I somehow moved the position of the muscles/spine/stomach relative to each other in a way that doesn't create any more inflamation.

I suggest anyone with reflux-related phlegm (if it's sinus related it won't probably have any effect) to try some kind of manipulation.  

[YourFriendlyPharmacist]

It sounds like influenza. A good infectious disease expert in a hospital can probably better diagnose it. But they will need to run samples on your mucus to make an educated decision on which virus or bacteria you might have. Most of the time if it's viral, you will eventually naturally heal it. Make sure you don't stop eating! If necessary make yourself vegetable stews, stay hydrate with hot lemon water and try to rest as much as you can.
IF necessary, and only IF, you can add the over the counter mucolytic (meaning mucous dissolving) medication called guaifenesin aka Mucinex.


-Your friendly pharmacist

[YourFriendlyPharmacist]

Also, I am only posting this knowingly that your sickness was back in 2009. This message is meant from those currently suffering from these symptoms and are on the internet trying to find answers. If you still receive notifications for this feed then please share if you were ever diagnosed? or how long it took you to recover?.
Thank You

[Kpounds]

Hi please am also suffering from this sickness with severe pain in my throat and I have being to the physicians and all he said is am having an allergies in my throat ,and always they priscribed antibiotics with other drugs like ibuprofen, citrizen and they keep on telling me to stop taking cold drinks and eat more fruits but seems all are not working and now I dont know what to do. I know we are going to get rid of it so pls keep in touch with me when u get help somewhere. Thanks

[bmackw]

i'm 16. just got back from urgent care for the second time in a week. last time i got diagnosed with a virus (causing the cough), severe double ear infection, and sinusitis. no progress with amoxicillin + clavulanate potassium. had a severe headache today and was prescribed steroids for sinus/lung inflammation. can't get them until tomorrow, but hopefully they help SOMETHING.

[itsm]

I've got it too and i'm only 17. Its getting worse, It keeps me up at night and the meds my doctor gave me at the start of the year never worked. I'm having breathing problems right now as i am typing this and have to use my mouth to breathe. The mucus won't budge either and i've tried everything. I'm actually considering going to the ER right now.

[jdm50]

I have had this for 5 weeks! It started off as bronchitis and that wasn't as bad even though I was coughing constantly - by week 3 the bronchitis cleared up but the mucus in my nidd and thrust was worse - at least once or twice a day I cannot breathe for 10/15 seconds and panic and anxiety develops! My 13 year old is now also doing through it and it is scary

[itsm]

I've got it too and i'm only 17. Its getting worse, It keeps me up at night and the meds my doctor gave me at the start of the year never worked. I'm having breathing problems right now as i am typing this and have to use my mouth to breathe. The mucus won't budge either and i've tried everything. I'm actually considering going to the ER right now.

[caseyo1]

it's currently 4am and I'm having it right now as well. so scared my airways will close. im 22. did you ever go to the ER?

[BibleWisdom]

First, I thank Jesus for healing me.  I could not smell at all at some point after a serious flu, but thank the Lord that even though I have the new unexplainable smell now of yeast, I believe I'm getting better from the no smell.   I read on the Internet that as we detox the body from the Candida (lost of sugar) in our system, the good smell will return.  I read that non-sugar organic cooking extra virgin or just virgin coconut oil is very good for Candida.  I drink fresh coconut, not from cans-sugar.

I am detoxing from sugar; gluten; carrots, beets, starchy veg; grains-except fine cut oat bran; dairy except eggs; most fruits except some blueberries and red grapefruits.  I don't eat meat or fish either.  I take at least 1 wheatgrass shot from a juice bar or frozen.  Whole Foods sells WOW organic frozen wheatgrass juice $10.99/7.  It's an acquired taste, but wheatgrass is excellent for everything, Google on YouTube.

Johndenver21, you may be allergic to dairy or sugar unless you had this flu that went around a month or two ago.  It was horrible!  I was squeezing a lemon with the same amount of warm water and drinking it, that cleared my mucus when I coughed.  Sometimes I add honey.  If you like red grapefruits that helped me.  The redness for me was from coughing so much.  

[784]

I have the same thing.  But the sad part is I am a singer and with that, it is hard for me to hold my breath for too long. And the sad part is I have been having it for 2 years

[ineedhelp2016]

My problem is in the back of my nose,, its soo sticky & thick that I cant get it to go anywhere.. When I can get it to move its only down.. Because when I try to cough it up,, it really gets stuck to the back of my throat & all I feel is this big ball of nasty gooey stuff that wont cough up but stay on the back of my throat.. When I try to cough it up I feel like a string of gooey stuff that feels as if it was chokeing me.. It scares the sh*t out of me.. I really feel like I am dieing.. This has been going on for a couple wks now.. Some days I am good to go,, but most it ruins my whole day.. I have been haveing soo many panic attacks it aint even funny! What can I do??

[gogogogogo77]

I have had this nearly every year for a long time, it's SO scary. Seriously interrupted breath always triggers panic. It's a real threat - for a moment or so - but I'm told it almost always passes; it just feels like hell while you're going through it. So; I have a lot of solutions, most continue what is mentioned above.

#1 taking Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM; this is the secret weapon. It thins your mucus to watery, which doesn't get caught in the throat. The thicky, sticky mucus is the dangerous kind, it comes up in lumps. So, taking the DM medicines helps the most. Note that normal cough medicine is actually NOT what you want; you want to cough OUT all the crap in your lungs.

#2 Neti pot - someone mentioned it above. It takes a little bit to get used to it, but when you feel the difference, it's amazing! It truly washed OUT your nasal cavity and all that nasty junk that would have gone into your throat and lungs washes out into the sink instead. Nice part is, it's not a medicine, you could do it every hour, every ten minutes, whenever you need it. It FEELs so much better to open up your sinuses and wash them clear. The water should be between warm and hot, enough to loosen tightened passages. It works.

#3 Hot liquids, tea and even just hot water - when I have anything caught in there, this immediately dissolves it and it goes down. Not too hot, just enough to make sticky phlegm loosen up instantly.

#4 Cough drops or gum: keep your mouth wet and SWALLOWING. This is key - if nothing "goes down the wrong pipe" (into your lungs) it won't cause a problem. I use them whenever it's happening, all day, but be careful that some cough drops should not be used that much (sugar or laxative effects). Gum is good. Be careful if you use these when falling asleep, you don't want to choke on them.

#5 Nasal Strips - like Breathe Right. They keep you nose open, especially at night, which helps keep the nose drier and not produce as much phlegm.

#6 Positioning - your trachea (the pipe where you breathe) is in FRONT of your stomach pipe. So bending forward while you cough is not good! It makes the mucus stay over the trachea, so stand upright and even hold your arms over your head and things will drop down into your stomach when you cough them up.

SO - number 1 is the most important I think. If the phlegm is watery and thin - it's really not dangerous. Easy to deal with. Also check with your doctor when you can - for the first time, I had a full day of panic attacks from this being so serious. I went to Emergency care twice in one day. Second time, they realized the panic was part of the problem (it's not THAT dangerous, but it feels like it). The prescribed Prednisone, which has a calming effect - he says they use it for asthma patients who are panicing. Hard to say, but I think it helps, too.... just starting it this week for a few days.

Good luck, hope it passes!

[anniedog4me2]

This thread seemed to start out talking about excessive mucus in the nasal cavity, and although I too have had the mucus in throat issue, my problem is really in the nose.  I've been to every dr you can imagine, had cultures, blood work, CAT scans, MRI, you name it, and everything is always negative.  This is frustrating because, as noted above, the doctors do not seem as impressed with my problem as I am, so when tests come back negative, they are even less inclined to care, or so it appears.  This has been going on over a year and now the mucus in my nose, due to constant Nedi Pot usage has become solid.  There is so much that it hurts to touch any part of my face.  I also have the ear congestion and gland problems too.  I'm looking for a homemade remedy as a nasal spray.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!  thank you

[tc7231]

I've found also that a gargle consisting of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda helps loosen up the mucous so it can be spit out. I have constant pleghm in my throat  and it is choking and causes breathing problems. At least this helps when done on a daily basis.

[gabone]

Do you have to keep taking the drug (Mucinex) or it was just a fixed-time treatment?

[DezyH]

I know this was posted a while ago but I am going through the same thing, and although it does burn a bit, drinks like mtn. Dew or coke and such (carbonated) have helped a lot with clearing out the mucus on its way down.

[lubix]

Hi all, I too have suffered with this mucus nightmare, for many many years. It became unbearable a couple of years ago, i felt like i was going to choke and even went to A and E for an xray. As I was diagnosed with Lyme also, I realised that It could be a parasite related issue and treated myself with antiparasiticals. This began a mindblowing flow of what is known as Ropeworm, which is a controversial new parasite formally considered to be 'mucoid plaque' but recent research has shown that it is an organism of some sort. Cut a long story short, after a year i have managed to ease the congestion in my throat, but most of the mucous like matter has had to pass through the gut, and there has been tons of it.
Very recently found very great relief from a product called Mucinex (must be extended release tablets). I dont feel that anti-biotics have helped, in fact will likely make this issue worse. Good health to you

[gsanfour]

Sorry about everyone's throat and sinus issues. I do have a similar problem and was hoping that someone knows what I have and if I should be concerned.

Today I was at the theater and hawked up a white ball of what looked like mucos but was white, sticky and of different shapes. Some of the pieces looked like a white worm. There is no smell and it looks like when you mix white flour with a little water to make glue. I then sneezed and some of this white sticky non liquid mucus came out of nostril. I thought it was a guayava fruit because it has similar color when cut up. I realized that this could not be it and am concerned because I have never had anything like this come out of my mouse and much less from my nose. Help..Any info on what it could be.

[controlmprocess]

For the throat mucus..I have these for several years. Really freaking thing.
ENT doc doesn't helps .
I finally got this system out with apple vinegar.
Please try taking one or two spoon of apple vinegar.

For the nose..please try using neti pot..
Let me know if it helps you.

[valencia80]

I suspected myself of having the same thing. Same symptoms.Very scary
Do you have any updates since?

[leaj510]

Actually, mucous production increases when a smoker STOPS smoking. I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to make clear for anyone reading it that if you have recently stopped smoking, your mucous production will be increased for as long as a few months. Steam and saline nasal flushes will help with this. Be careful with guaifenesin because while it is meant to thin and mobilize secretions, it ALSO temporarily increases mucous production.

[Marktreseh]

I also have almost the same problem with you, Ive been experiencing a lots of choking and this feeling of harder to breath because of I think excessive mucus that is stuck in my throat, it brings me anxiety and stress, I feel like Im gonna die having trouble to breath because of this, can anyone here give help on how to ease this problem, I go to the Doctor and seek for advise and he just said it was Acid Reflux but as I go to research over the net about it I dont have the heartburn moment that most acid reflux has as its symptoms so I was thinking that maybe it was not acid reflux but just sticky mucus stuck in my throat that I couldnt take out and Ive been having this problem for years now.

[CaveDwellerforJesus]

Thank you for the advice to stay calm during a choking attack.

I will be sleeping and then out of nowhere will wake up as I can't breathe. I can feel "something" happen back there like maybe a think mucus plug started going down the wrong pipe. I sit up trying to get air in and my husband sits up immediately with me trying to help. Saying to raise my hands above my head, he pats my back, and even this morning tried a Heimlich maneuver.

I never get sick and my husband gets sick all the time. I do believe that since we moved into my mom's condo basement two years ago something down here is compromising our health. I started coughing a bit which I didn't use to do. Our sink/laundry tub is dripping when the hot water runs and it is dripping down the back and causing moisture and a little mold or mildew back there.  My morning sneezing has pretty much stopped, however. We both have MS and severe arthritis so can't get down in there to clean it. My brother in law is coming in three months so asking him to fix it. That is what he does.

I caught something from my husband a couple months ago and again just three days ago. It seems whatever someone else has it turns bronchial in me.  I had both acute and chronic bronchitis a lot when I was younger. I am 57 now.

I made some homemade cough syrup when I got up this morning just in case and I took two Musinex. We'll see what happens.

I have been taking ONE Tylenol PM for a long time at night and a few months ago switched to Nyquil. I tend to have problems either getting to sleep or staying asleep, it varies so I started taking stuff. I am going to and have already actually stopped taking anything. I will just deal with it as I read above that it may cause breathing problems. I think I will post this again at the bottom. I said a lot more than what I intended.

[CaveDwellerforJesus]

Thank you for the advice to stay calm during a choking attack.

I will be sleeping and then out of nowhere will wake up as I can't breathe. I can feel "something" happen back there like maybe a think mucus plug started going down the wrong pipe. I sit up trying to get air in and my husband sits up immediately with me trying to help. Saying to raise my hands above my head, he pats my back, and even this morning tried a Heimlich maneuver.

I never get sick and my husband gets sick all the time. I do believe that since we moved into my mom's condo basement two years ago something down here is compromising our health. I started coughing a bit which I didn't use to do. Our sink/laundry tub is dripping when the hot water runs and it is dripping down the back and causing moisture and a little mold or mildew back there.  My morning sneezing has pretty much stopped, however. We both have MS and severe arthritis so can't get down in there to clean it. My brother in law is coming in three months so asking him to fix it. That is what he does.

I caught something from my husband a couple months ago and again just three days ago. It seems whatever someone else has it turns bronchial in me.  I had both acute and chronic bronchitis a lot when I was younger. I am 57 now.

I made some homemade cough syrup when I got up this morning just in case and I took two Musinex. We'll see what happens.

I have been taking ONE Tylenol PM for a long time at night and a few months ago switched to Nyquil. I tend to have problems either getting to sleep or staying asleep, it varies so I started taking stuff. I am going to and have already actually stopped taking anything. I will just deal with it as I read above that it may cause breathing problems. I think I will post this again at the bottom. I said a lot more than what I intended.