Post Nasal drip, acid relfux, anxiety?

[yarray]

I have had this problem for about a year now. I have this problem with gagging, what seems to be caused by post nasal drip. When i wake up i tend to have a dry mucus build up in the post nasal area of my throat. The thing is when i gagg, trying to free the mucus from my throat, nothing seems to loosen up, which makes me have this feeling of vomiting. These symptoms are 10 fold when i am in any social situation, or have to tend to any type of stressfull situation. I always bring water with me, just for the fact that if i dont sip on anything while im out, i start to panic (and when i mean panic, i have had panic attacks due to this, mostly anxiety attacks now) This situation makes me wonder if i have some kind of disorder affiliated with anxiety or anxiety is just being manifested because of the mucus. My anxiety only seems to go away if i vomit, and i usually do end up vomiting due to the gagging. Usually during the evining hours the mucus tends to flow constantly from the post nasal area.
When i take deep relaxing breaths i can feel stomach muscles below my rib cage tense up and release, but i am not sure if it is my stomach muscles or posibly acid relfux. It feels as if something at the bottom of my esophegous is contracting and releasing, or rising and falling, every time i take deep breaths. Only when i take deep breaths does it seem that my stomach relaxes fully, but goes back to tense almost imidiatly. When the gagging and gastro problem combind together it makes me not want to live.I am 20 years old and have given up smoking about a month ago.Underweight due to prob

[Sb22]

I have a similar problem with mucus buildup in the back of my throat. It happens mostly when I am lying down. I often wake up in the morning gagging as I try to free the mucus in my throat, but it does not loosen up. It has been causing me to be very nauseous. I have visited an ENT doctor who says I do not have signs of post nasal drip. I have also had multiple gastro tests i.e. endoscopy, ph probe, gastric emptying tests. All of which have come back normal. Anyone having similar problem or have any suggestions as to how I should treat my symptoms.

[dede20]

Hello, I can't believe I found this forum. I know just like you we all can write a book about the symptoms. Anyway, mines started over 3 years ago. Eventhough I exercised and have plenty of energy from one day to another my energy level dropped severe. I woke up in the morning and wanted to go back to sleep. I was not tired physically but mentally. I've noticed that the back of my throat is completely red. Was treated for raspiratory, cold, sinus etc. Symptoms continued. I was put on antidepressant, increased dose, now I'm taking ritalin to be energized which does not help. Seen gastro doc last year too who told me about the acid reflux. So he gave me the new med for the reflux, forgot the name, started to see ent doctor, had sinus surgery, now I'm waking up in the morning, full with anxiety, feels like a know in my throat and like my throat is completely dried out. I also noticed that when I exercise, I do aerobic which is very extreme, my throat dries out so bad that I have to stop and get something to drink. I've never experienced this before. I paid attention to my breathing which is through my nose since the sinuses should be cleared after the surgery and the throat is completely dried out. I'm feeling so sleepy in the morning and I should be energized. I also did sleep study. So you see we all trying to find out what is wrong with us and I'm clueless. I just want my energy back. I'm so glad I've found this site to hopefully get some answers. I know how all you feel. Thanks for sharing,

[Rosedp]

I am sure the mucus buildup is from stress.  Mine started about 2 years ago during a stressful event and continues on and off, but lately on all the time.  I just bought myself a neti pot and use it mornings and nites.  It seems to be helping a lot with the mucus, allowing it to thin and release easier.  Before that it used to feel like a lump in my throat that wouldnt clear.  So we shall see if this is the cure or not.  I also went to the health store and he gave me a bottle of Mullein flower ear oil.  It has mulien flower extract and extra virgin olive oil in it.  Even though it says ear oil, he suggested I put a couple of drops in my green tea and drink it.  He uses it for his asthma and says it works very well. So maybe you want to try that?  Hopefully someday, we all will be free of this problem>?  Good luck to all of you......

I will let you know how the neti pot is doing long term.

[zandro]

hey guys,

i have the same problem as well.. same with yarray i suffered from anxiety attacks 3 times in 2 years... anyway this january i started getting post nasal drip and until now i still get it... same symptoms.. coughing things in the morning, all through out the day i get the sensation of something lodge up the ceiling of my mouth. I even woke up last night gaggling for air because of the mucus down my throat... i had an MRI last year though and they found a polyp, i donno if that's what's causing it. However i also notice that the more i think of it, the more it the dripping gets worst.. so this come back to yarray's question whether it's anxiety related.. my answer is at some point yes. I have tried using flonase steroid sprays and it helps but i don't wanna go through my life using this stuff... i also tried jalai neti or sinus draining using warm water and salt,, it helps me in the morning and night when i need to get the mucus out... but i wanna know how i can stop this.. antihistamines doesnt; work for me.. try the nasal wash thing and see if it helps...

regards!
zandro

[Vio101]

A related discussion, Continue (Post Nasal Drip - Anxiety - GERD)   was started.

[morekrap]

Have not read all of these but I want to tell you what has helped me.  I am NOT an authority just a sufferer of shortness of breath and coughing.

Drink water every day, with nothing in it! Not even a lemon.  The water helps to thin the mucus
Fenegreek for mucus.  (Rarely even need it any more)
Find out what your allergies are, including food.
Get as many naps in as you can to help your body come back to health
Red berries have great that may help calm anxiety symptoms (I know they are expensive but you only need a few per day.  (raspberry, blueberry, etc.)
a 24 hour Clariton (an H1 inhibitor. was using every day, hardly any need now)
pepcid AC (an H2 inhibitor for allergy symptoms also, plus can calm hidden Acid Relux which can exacerbate the difficult breathing, didn't even know I had the RELUX)
Let your doctor know you are taking these.  should not be a problem but this is info to be shared with your caregiver

Also:

Stay away from second hand smoke!!!

If you suspect allergies watch what is in the over the counter pills.  I keep it simple and avoid generic because the fillers are different.  But I have a lot of food allergies too.  

Remember to think about hidden foods.  for example if you are allergic to eggs... many wines are filtered with egg whites; also beer.  Deli meats could have chemical preservatives that come from dairy.

Pay extra for organic if you can, even part time may be helpful to recovery

Think about some massage or something similar to help ease muscle tension and correct posture.  This plus a Chiropractor helped me stand straighter again after coughing all day for two years.  The hunched position made even less room in my lungs

NO ALCHHOL for a while... give your body a chance.  I theorize that it just dehydrates and thickens mucus