spitting and/or hacking phlegm constantly for over 6 months

[HACKING MOM]

I've been to the doctor (four different ones),about 6 times in the past 6 months..The main concern I have is the CONSTANT build up of mucous/phlegm mainly it feels as if it's in the back nasal passages or throat. I've been told I have chronic bronchitis,chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinisitis..(from all different doctors)The chest x-ray from a 'quick care' clinic was never discussed with me(I believe it to be clear),but I was prescribed steroids,anti-biotics (for the 4th time)zyrtec and cough pills, and a nasal spray(nasonex)..the steroids seem to make it thicker(the phlegm), and the nasal spray seem to help clear it for about 10 minutes;then back to square one.
The main things are the production of phlegm seems worse after I eat anything, and I hack out the phlegm and it's the color of whatever i've just ate or drank..If i drink lots of water; it gets looser. At times it appears to have specks of blood;and /or dark grey specks blended in the normally white ,thick, and 'frothy' phlegm. My ears have been clogged and popping regularly too. If i am hacking alot; it seems like my hands start hurting too. My hands almost get like a joint ache and swollen feeling. and they get cold sometimes. ALSO my tongue seems to get the slime coating on it. When I brush my teeth I scrape my tongue and back of throat, and the top back area of mouth(where the tonsils or nasal passages are) That seems to release a whole bunch more phlegm. Almost like a 'plug' or something..my tongue seems bruised and sore from 'tugging' and pulling the phlegm down to my throat to spat out.
please help..

[sleeply]

A related discussion, Mucus was started.

[lettay]

I, too, have also been having a constant irritation with phlegm build up in my throat.  I was losing sleep every night and I thought I was literally going insane.  I was about to go to see a psychiatrist until I read all of your comment on the same problem.  My husband even was joking with me that I finally had found my support group.  Well, I have good news.

I had seen my doctor who informed me that it was allergies and prescibed clarinex-d and nasonex for allergies.  Well this did not seem to do anything.  So after I read all of your postings I went to buy any over the counter medications I could find that would cover any diagnoses that your doctors have given you. Then I called a family friend, who is a doctor, to ask if I could take all these medications at the sametime.  He helped me work out a system that has done wonders for me and I hope that it will work for you.  He told me to continue with the allergy medicine whether is was prescribed or over the counter such as clarinex or allegra.  Then to continue the nasonex that will not give instant relief but over a period of time will reduce the inflammation in my sinuses caused by the allergies.  He also to take a form of mucinex, I take mucinex dm, which will thin the mucus.  And last but most important for instant relief, drain your sinuses with NeilMed sinus rinse once to twice a day.  Can be a painful process at first but works amazingly.  

He also told me what could be causing this.  See I live in a very dry climate which causes mucus to become thick and very gooey.  Now add this with the allergens that cause your sinus to secret more mucus we are left with insanity.  I have not been happier in months.  I am no longer clearing my throat constantly and I have have actually been sleeping the last few nights.  I can only pray that the sake of all your guy's sanity that the information that worked for me will work for you.

[NoAspartame]

I took me about 3 weeks after it was suggested I stop using antiseptic aerosols that my ears finally cleared.  Prior to eliminating use of the aerosols, I would sometimes find blood in my ears or wake up with dried blood in my ear and on my pillow.  I was given many antibiotics... none of which worked.

If you started using any of these products around the time the problems started, you might want to try eliminating them.  I didn't believe that antiseptic aersols were causing my ear problems, but since the time I stopped using the products, I've had no problems with my ears.

[klukaia]

It could be allergies...have you ever been diagnosed or treated for hayfever or other allergies before?

[HACKING MOM]

I haven't worked around 'chemicals' in 2 years( I did skin care)so most products were of aromatherapy,but did give a headache from time to time.
  At this time(not working);and yes; I do use quite a bit of spray disinfectants or Febreeze or 'glade' home sprays. How long after quitting using these products did your symptoms go away?
                      Thanks

[NoAspartame]

Do you work around a lot of chemicals?  Or, do you use a lot of antiseptic (especially aerosol) household cleaners?

I had problems for almost 3 years with my ears (almost continuous ear infections and drainage into my throat), and it turned out to be Lysol spray causing it. (I would use it every Saturday morning when I cleaned my apartment.)  Once I stopped using antiseptic aerosols, the problems stopped.  Three doctors didn't figure it out, and the last (an EN&T specialist) wanted to put tubes in my ears for it.