Thick mucous in larnyx

[edaho]

I have a continuous problem with thick mucous in my throat.  I must clear my throat a hundred times a day.  My larnyx gets so full of the thick mucous that I almost choke and it causes my eyes to water.  When this happens I hack up about a quarter cup of the stuff.  

I went to an ENT specialist who diagnosed sinusitis due to restricted airflow because of a deviated septum.  After two surgeries for this there is no improvment.  I've tried Musinex and steroid nose sprays.  Nothing seems to help.  

I've read that this could be Laryngopharyngeal reflux and could be treated with Medrol or Budesonide.  Could this be true?


This discussion is related to Excessive Thick Mucous in Throat-- HELP!!!.

[edaho]

Hi Gunnner,

Your case sounds complicated.  Hopefully, the doctor is right and it is not TB.  A friend of mine went through a terrible time last year with some kind of fungal infection in his lungs.  The doctors had a very hard time finding what it was. They had to call in a specialist.  If I remember right, they treated it with prednizone.  I could ask him for more details if you like.

Yes, the VA is slow as molassas in January at making appointments - unless your primary-care person tells them it is urgent.  Mine did that this winter when I was having eye problems and was seeing moving colored lights in my right eye.  I got to see a specialist in three days.  Maybe you can impress your doc with the sense of urgency and get him to make that phone call to the specialist.

Good luck
Ed

[130gunner]

Yeah,
from the lungs, that's what has me so worried.
The mucous is clear to white in color, and having been a Respiratory Therapist for ten years back in 1988 to 98 (no longer in that field..too stressful) I know that the color would have a tinge of yellow to green if it were bacterial(exception to that rule could be TB). So unfortunately anti-biotics wouldn't work if it's not bacterial. By the way the injection you probably received was Rocephin which is used to combat drug resistant bacterial infections (really good stuff).
The other possibilities could be scary, and thus my being upset with that young Pulmo doc. A barium swallow/upper GI series won't show what the lungs are doing it will simply show if there is a leakage past the esophageal sphincter which would lead to the assumption that the irritation of the lungs is caused by GERD which allows acid to leak back into the trachea. All of his chips are placed on this being what is the sole cause of the lungs being irritated, and abnormally producing so much mucous.
My concern of course is that if it is a serious condition going on in the lungs then time is of the essence, and I don't have to tell you how slow the VA can be to get you scheduled for the necessary tests, and how nervous that makes me. I just had a friend go through this, and MD Anderson Cancer Center couldn't save him. I'm sure what happened to my friend just a couple of months ago is weighing heavily on my paranoia right now, but I can't help thinking the worst.
Sometimes knowledge can be your enemy, and not your friend when it comes to things like this.
Of course I really hope this doc is right, and I would be very glad to eat crow without any salt and pepper. I would really love that, but I don't have a whole lot of confidence that he's right!
I really appreciate your input and support, I need all I can get at this point.
Gunner

[edaho]

So the phlem comes from your lungs instead of your sinuses?  That's a horse of a different color.

A few years ago I had a sudden and horrible case of bronchitis.  I coughed my lungs out.  I went to the doctor and he gave me TWO SHOTS of different antibiotics.  It started helping quickly  and I was mostly over it in a couple of days.  I've had oral antibiotics before and they do not seem to help anything I took them for.  I think the shots are many times more effective.  The doctor stressed that it took the two different kinds to do the job.  I don't remember what they were now though.

[hava]

Something natural to help you clear the throat and lungs. Do the kapalbhati, twice a day, to build up your immune system. The  bhramri and ujjayi will stimulate the throat, with the vibration.You will feel the benefit gradually. Do it daily, and this will help you and your body for the rest of life. Let me know at some point, when you notice the benefit.I have tried to explain the method,in simple words and a few attempts may be required.Keep your eyes closed, when you do the pranayam.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 21  times.

Ujjayi pranayam
Procedure: While breathing in, tighten throat(contract glotis) and there will be sound from back of throat, then drop chin(rest chin on chest), hold breath as long as possible.Then  chin up, close right nostril and slowly breath out through left nostril.
Duration: 5 – 21 times

How to do Ujjayi
When you clear your throat, you tighten your throat and breath out, twice, with a pause in between. . Now if you reverse this, that is, tighten the throat and breath in continuously for abour 8 to 12 seconds, then hold your breath for 4 seconds with the chin down, then  chin up, close right nostril and slowly breath out through left nostril, you have just done Ujjayi pranayam.You will feel like coughing initially.
June 28, 2011

[130gunner]

That's great that you can at least keep it at bay, especially to be able to sing in your church choir. I can't hold a tune much less with this problem. I choke even when I talk very long.
Well I couldn't stand it and today broke away from work and got an appointment with a civilian  ENT. I felt so bad this weekend; had no energy at all, just flat wore out from hacking, very sore throat, swollen glands, and just felt like I needed some kind of an answer. All of this in spite of finishing 30 days of antibiotics which was of no use.  The doc did the scope on me through the nose (what fun), and took at a look at my larynx, did the whole routine that I'm sure you are familiar with, and said he didn't see any damage that would make him conclude I have acid reflux, or post nasal drip. He did conclude that the mucous I was hacking was from my lungs. He asked if I've had a bronchoscopy (which I haven't), and recommended to have that done at the VA, and he said he thinks I should have a MRI of my neck and chest as soon as possible and not to delay. He told me if the VA can't do it right away he would order it for me. That of course made me nervous. So I have a call into the VA, but could only leave a message for which they tell me they will call back within 24 hours. This is putting me a little on edge to say the least.

[edaho]

I'm thankful for the VA too, although it seems to attract the doctors who can't do well in private practice.  I have met a few good ones though. The nurses I've encountered there were all terrific.

No, I have no clear sense of what causes this problem.  I don't think I have any allergies, but allergy medication helps keep it barely under control.  When I run out of one of my meds it does get worse.  

Another complication is my voice.  When this gunk builds up in my throat it interferes with my vocal cords.  I lead the singing in church every Sunday and I have to make sure I get most of the phlem out before singing.  

Good luck with your barium test.