Thick sticky mucus in my throat

[xLindyx]

Reposting ..hoping for some help

Hello .. I have been suffering from thick sticky mucus .. clear but sometimes white . Its hard to get rid .. wont move . So thick and very distressing .its really effecting my quality of life . I forever howking up to try and move it ..but however much I do so and manage to get up ..theres always a ball of it just stuck at the back of my throat . Sometimes I can grab it and drag it out from the back of my throat .. thick and stringy .. and could almost tie it in a knot . Gross eh :-(

Ive tried steam inhalation .. gargling .. drinking loads of water . . and still its the same . Had this problem about three years now . Is there anybody out there that help me please .

Thank you

[Migirl66]

All,

I've been suffering with a barking cough for almost 3 years.  I have seen 4 ENT's, 5 pulmonologists, 2 immunologist, had 2 sinus surgeries, been to Mayo Clinic for a week and 3 other hospital systems.  I've had 3 bronchoscopies, PH, GERD & Asthma testing....NOTHING!!! NO one has answers.  Clear thick mucus, coughing, facial pain, many infections - been on every treatment imaginable (as you mentioned).  Being checked for a sinus fungal infection soon, due to the black specs in mucus.

After reading this, I will attempt eliminating dairy, I just purchased pure essential oils and I'll try to vinegar gargle, to see if it helps.  I am a college professor and my chronic cough is embarrassing but the infections are disabling.  

I definitely need a support group as I feel like I am living a hell no one around me understands.   Quite honestly, I think they are tired of hearing me complain, cough and talk about it.  

[Matt123321]

I've also been experiencing the same symptoms for almost a year now. I find that my mouth is excessively salivating and I always feel I have something stuck in the back of my throat. I must spit once every 5 minutes throughout the entire day, just because it feels uncomfortable to swallow all the saliva I've been generating. I've tried NeilMed nasal rinses, antihistamines, mucous and phlegm cough syrups, and antibiotics(amoxillin). Nothing really changed at all...

The issue started out of the blue last Summer, I believe it might have been triggered by some kind of virus or bacteria. I can't imagine how an allergy could randomly appear and just not go away this long; I had been fine the previous 20 years of my life. Drink tons of milk, eat plenty of nuts, never experienced any saliva or mucous problems. It's only been since about a year ago that I've had this nasty onset, and it drives me crazy. All day at work I'm trying to cough up the mucous, and sometimes I'm compelled to stick my finger in the back of my throat and pull it out. Sometimes it's clear and runny, if I've been drinking lots of fluids I suppose... Others, it's thick and white(er). I suppose it's naturally that way, and when mixed with clear liquid it evens out or something.

Either way, I can't imagine living like this for the rest of my life. I've seen 3 doctor's about it, but I suppose it's no good that they don't specialize with sinuses. Their advice was less than helpful and I felt like a fool for seeing them; what they thought was a 'smart' solution for my problem was something obvious I had already tried or read about it not helping for others describing the same symptoms.. Being the anti-biotics, nasal rinses, etc.

Honestly, I'm just learning to live with it for now, but it really drives me crazy... It's like living in a hell. As I've written this I've spit a small cup almost half full already....

[connell628]

I have same problem, today I found this :
http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-the-Throat-of-Mucus
I hope it will help.

[Minaverus]

Hello everyone. After reading this forum and going through all of the responses I think I may have an idea of what is going on. You are right to think that there is something stuck in your throat. I have had the same problem for years and I was just recently (a few hours ago) laying in bed with my head propped up pushing up on the left side of my throat (problem side) trying to force some of the thick white stringy mucus out and I was successful in getting a very large amount of it out, although it came out from my right nostril. So be aware that if the mucus is on a certain side of your throat, it can only come out of the opposite nostril; i.e. left throat, right nostril and vice versa. After making this discovery it made me think about throwing up after drinking a lot of alcohol, and how forceful it can be to actually push food up through your nose. I'm willing to bet that this has happened to alot of you that are suffering with this problem. After thinking of this I got an idea. I have been reading for years about how a neti pot can help people with post nasal drip and mucus and all that and I had tried it, but it never worked for me, so I thought, what if I could recreate that moment of vomiting and food coming out of my nose, except with warm salt water. So I got a cup of warm water, added salt and took a big gulp, enough to fill my whole mouth and then I clutched over the toilet and grabbed the sides, just like I was going to go vomit after partying all night and I heaved (contracting the abdominals), forcing the water out through my nose and guess what? A popcorn kernal and two small white seeds came out (probably cucumber). I'm guessing that there is a crevice in between the roof of your mouth and your nostrils where things that are not digestible can get stuck when you vomit. I know that the popcorn kernel was what was causing the problem because I haven't eaten popcorn in years because I hate when it gets stuck in my throat and teeth. Here's to hoping that some of you find relief by using this method. I feel so much less anxious already.

[chrisgitts]

Wow I did not know there were so many people with the same condition, I have had this now for three years and yes very stressful on yourself and the family. I had just finished eating some popcorn and felt like a piece of husk was stuck in my throat, very sharp feeling and could not move it, after visiting the ENT Specialist and having the camera down the throat and up the nose he could not find anything except some mucus. So I put up with it for a while, then I went to a lung specialist who said this is caused by asthma, proceeds to put me on a puffer which has had no effect I am still bringing up sticky mucas and sensation of something still lodged in my throat. At times there is blood specks and other times brown or black specks. After reading some of these stories I am under the impression that I may have this condition for a while yet.
Sorry family you are still going to have to put up with my hacking for a while longer.

[Traycos]

I have suffered with this awful, glue-like phlegm for years now ( at least 15 years) it is so distressing because you cannot swallow it or bring it up. I found Rhinocort (nasal spray) the only thing that worked for me until I started getting headaches from it as I have a sensitivity to it. So after a few more frustrating years I tried a puff or 2 of ventolin which seems to open up the airways enough to dislodge the mucous. I have all the sympathy in the world for anyone who suffers from this ailment. Good luck, I hope my findings help you . Tracey