Excessive phlegm

[dholmes]

About 1 1/2 years ago I became short of breath with alot of wheezing.  I went to a well known hospital this year after many cat scans and tests and found that I had inflammation of the windpipe right below the voice box.  I had a laryngoscopy and had my windpipe stretched in May 2004.  Since that time, I have been experiencing alot of phlegm when I eat.  Doesnt seem to matter what I eat, it is always triggered by food. I also saw a allergy specialist, with no found allergies, but that Doctor said I had chronic sinusitis.  Would my sinus have anything to do with this?   Has anyone ever heard of stretching the windpipe or this type of problem?  Please reply if you have any info.  Thank you.

[National Jewish]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube.  This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn.  This reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose.  When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs.  This could explain the "inflammation of the windpipe right below the voice box”.  While the phlegm could be from postnasal drip, which is drainage down the back of your throat, from the chronic sinusitis, it could also be from the reflux entering your windpipe and causing irritation.

A barium swallow test is helpful in identifying GERD, but it is especially helpful in identifying swallowing disorders.  This is an x-ray test using fluoroscopy to watch for problems as barium is swallowed.  Barium sulfate is a harmless chalky, water-insoluble compound (salt) that does not permit x-rays to pass through it.  It causes the digestive tract to stand out in silhouette when viewed through a fluoroscope or seen on x-ray film.

[Ellis7]

What was the diagnosis that resulted in the stretching of the windpipe? Was it "tracheal stenosis"? Website:
http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/Volume%20V%201/TRACHEAL%20STENOSIS.asp  Tracheal stenosis

Sinusitis can cause post nasal drip, causing mucus to accumulate in the throat.

Gastro reflux disease could contribute to the problem.

Wegener's granulomatosis could result in the stenosis and nasal problems.

Maybe time for another opinion from a top rated teaching hospital.

[dholmes]

When I had the stretching of the windpipe done, a biopsy of the inflammation was done.  The biopsy came back with nothing found.  Although I am scheduled for another CT scan in September, the diagnosis on it does say tracheal stenosis.  After seeing 4 physicians I was referred to a well known hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and had a wonderful thoracic surgeon that did the stretching of the windpipe.  The first 3 physicians, being pulmonary specialist and allergy specialist could find no reason for this problem.  Yesterday, I decided to buy some "AFRIN" nasal spray and today I seem somewhat better, but this whole thing has been very overwhelming after seeing so many doctors and no one knowing what the problem is coming from.  Thanks for your reply!!!  Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Ellis7]

Regarding the nasal problems [sinusitis? rhinitis/] Afrin is not a good solution; it can only be used a short time. Generally prescription steroid nasal sprays, like Nasonex or Rhinocort,
are used; saline nasal washes can help. Sudafed could be tried. You might want to consult an ENT.  See:

http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/allergic_rhinitis.html
Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis

http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html
Nasal Wash

http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html
Sinusitis

[dholmes]

Thanks for your comments.  They seem to make alot of sense to me.  I have never been tested for GERD.  I did go to the doctor this week and they had to prescribe me some Biaxin XL - 500 mg, 2 per day.  My doctor said my sinuses were once again infected.  The antibiotic has stopped most of the phlegm which I am very thankful for.  I will ask my doctor about GERD and acid reflux.  If you have any further info, please let me know.  Thank you.